computer_basics:operating_system_fundamentals
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computer_basics:operating_system_fundamentals [2019/12/05 04:00] – mithat | computer_basics:operating_system_fundamentals [2019/12/06 05:11] (current) – [Booting part 1: BIOS and EFI] mithat | ||
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* Providing a user interface for communication | * Providing a user interface for communication | ||
- | ===== OS Function | + | ===== OS function |
* OS's first job is to load itself into RAM | * OS's first job is to load itself into RAM | ||
- | * Called **booting** | + | * Called **booting**. |
- | ===== OS Function | + | ===== OS function |
{{: | {{: | ||
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* Many computers use a **BIOS (Basic Input/ | * Many computers use a **BIOS (Basic Input/ | ||
* The first thing that is loaded into memory and starts running when you turn on. | * The first thing that is loaded into memory and starts running when you turn on. | ||
- | * Manages some core hardware | + | * Manages some core hardware |
+ | * Handles | ||
* Usually stored in flash memory or CMOS memory chip. | * Usually stored in flash memory or CMOS memory chip. | ||
- | ===== Booting | + | ===== Booting |
* Most newer desktops and laptops use **EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface)** instead of a BIOS. | * Most newer desktops and laptops use **EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface)** instead of a BIOS. | ||
+ | * ** UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)** is one example. | ||
* Like a mini OS. | * Like a mini OS. | ||
- | | + | |
- | * Lets user run small utility applications that run on the Extensible Firmware Interface. | + | * Lets user run small utility applications that run on the Extensible Firmware Interface. |
- | * Considered more secure than traditional BIOS. | + | * Considered more secure than traditional BIOS. |
===== Booting step 2: Test the hardware ===== | ===== Booting step 2: Test the hardware ===== | ||
- | * Many BIOS/EFIs initiate a **power-on self-test (POST)** or similar test. | + | |
- | | + | * Confirms that both the computer and its peripheral devices are working properly. |
===== Booting step 3: Load the operating system ===== | ===== Booting step 3: Load the operating system ===== | ||
* BIOS or EFI loads an OS's **kernel** into memory. | * BIOS or EFI loads an OS's **kernel** into memory. | ||
- | * kernel: the central part of the OS | + | * kernel: the central part of the OS. |
* Usually stored on main storage device. | * Usually stored on main storage device. | ||
* The OS then loads remainder of what's needed. | * The OS then loads remainder of what's needed. | ||
===== Booting step 4: Check the system configuration ===== | ===== Booting step 4: Check the system configuration ===== | ||
- | * The OS checks the system configuration for **device drivers** | + | * The OS checks the system configuration for **device drivers**. |
* device driver: utility program that enables communication between the OS and a peripheral device. | * device driver: utility program that enables communication between the OS and a peripheral device. | ||
* The OS installs and loads the needed drivers. | * The OS installs and loads the needed drivers. | ||
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* Etc. | * Etc. | ||
- | ===== Booting step 6/: Authenticate user ===== | + | ===== Booting step 6: Authenticate user ===== |
- | * Facilitate | + | * Final part of booting is to facilitate user authentication |
- | * Typically a user name and password or fingerprint scan or special code. | + | |
- | ===== OS Function | + | ===== OS function |
* **Multitasking** operating systems permit more than one application to run at the same time. | * **Multitasking** operating systems permit more than one application to run at the same time. | ||
* The **foreground application** is the active one. | * The **foreground application** is the active one. | ||
* The **background applications** appear inactive. | * The **background applications** appear inactive. | ||
- | ===== OS Function | + | ===== OS function |
* The OS | * The OS | ||
* gives each program a portion of RAM memory. | * gives each program a portion of RAM memory. | ||
* keeps them from interfering with each other. | * keeps them from interfering with each other. | ||
- | ===== OS Function | + | ===== OS function |
* RAM is organized into **pages**: units of large fixed size. | * RAM is organized into **pages**: units of large fixed size. | ||
* **Virtual memory** uses a portion of the hard disk to extend RAM. | * **Virtual memory** uses a portion of the hard disk to extend RAM. | ||
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{{: | {{: | ||
- | ===== OS Function | + | ===== OS function |
* Adding more RAM is often a good way to improve computer performance because: | * Adding more RAM is often a good way to improve computer performance because: | ||
- | * Paging slows the computer | + | * Paging slows the computer. |
- | * Accessing data from the hard disk is slower than accessing it from RAM | + | * Accessing data from the hard disk is slower than accessing it from RAM. |
- | ===== OS Function | + | ===== OS function |
* Applications access input and output devices via the OS. | * Applications access input and output devices via the OS. | ||
* Device drivers enable communication between the OS and input and output (and other) devices. | * Device drivers enable communication between the OS and input and output (and other) devices. | ||
- | ===== OS Function | + | ===== OS function |
* The **user interface** allows the user to: | * The **user interface** allows the user to: | ||
* Start application programs | * Start application programs | ||
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a) graphical, b) menu-driven, | a) graphical, b) menu-driven, | ||
- | ===== OS Function | + | ===== OS function |
* Types of user interfaces: | * Types of user interfaces: | ||
* **graphical user interface (GUI)** uses **icons** and other visual metaphors. | * **graphical user interface (GUI)** uses **icons** and other visual metaphors. | ||
* **menu-driven interface**: | * **menu-driven interface**: | ||
- | * Provides text-based menus | + | * Provides text-based menus. |
- | * Displays available user options | + | * Displays available user options. |
* **command-line interface**: | * **command-line interface**: | ||
- | * Requires the user to type commands to instruct the OS to perform the desired actions | + | * Requires the user to type commands to instruct the OS to perform the desired actions. |
computer_basics/operating_system_fundamentals.txt · Last modified: 2019/12/06 05:11 by mithat