Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- computer_basics:operating_system_fundamentals [2019/12/05 04:06] – [Booting step 1: BIOS and EFI] mithat
+++ computer_basics:operating_system_fundamentals [2019/12/06 03:53] – mithat
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
     * Providing a user interface for communication
-===== OS Function 1: Starting the computer =====
+===== OS function 1: Starting the computer =====
   * OS's first job is to load itself into RAM
     * Called **booting**.
-===== OS Function 1: Starting the computer =====
+===== OS function 1: Starting the computer =====
 {{:computer_basics:ch04-booting.jpg?direct&300|}}\\
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
   * Many computers use a **BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)** to begin the booting process.
-    * ** UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)** is one example.
   * The first thing that is loaded into memory and starts running when you turn on.
   * Manages some core hardware settings.
@@ Line 46: / Line 45: @@
   * 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.
   * Does everything BIOS does.
@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 ===== Booting step 3: Load the operating system =====
   * 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.
   * The OS then loads remainder of what's needed.
 ===== 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.
   * The OS installs and loads the needed drivers.
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
   * Etc.
-===== Booting step 6/: Authenticate user =====
+===== Booting step 6: Authenticate user =====
-    * Facilitate authentication/login
+    * Final part of booting is to facilitate user authentication or login.
-      * Typically a user name and password or fingerprint scan or special code.
+     * Typically a user name and password or fingerprint scan or special code.
-===== OS Function 2: Managing applications =====
+===== OS function 2: Managing applications =====
   * **Multitasking** operating systems permit more than one application to run at the same time.
     * The **foreground application** is the active one.
     * The **background applications** appear inactive.
-===== OS Function 3: Managing memory =====
+===== OS function 3: Managing memory =====
   * The OS
     * gives each program a portion of RAM memory.
     * keeps them from interfering with each other.
-===== OS Function 3: Managing memory =====
+===== OS function 3: Managing memory =====
   * RAM is organized into **pages**: units of large fixed size.
   * **Virtual memory** uses a portion of the hard disk to extend RAM.
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 {{:computer_basics:ch04-virtualmemory.jpg?direct&600|}}
-===== OS Function 3: Managing memory =====
+===== OS function 3: Managing memory =====
   * 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 4: Handling input and output =====
+===== OS function 4: Handling input and output =====
   * Applications access input and output devices via the OS.
   * Device drivers enable communication between the OS and input and output (and other) devices.
-===== OS Function 5: Provide a user interface =====
+===== OS function 5: Provide a user interface =====
   * The **user interface** allows the user to:
     * Start application programs
@@ Line 115: / Line 115: @@
 a) graphical, b) menu-driven, and c) command-line user interfaces
-===== OS Function 5: Provide a user interface =====
+===== OS function 5: Provide a user interface =====
   * Types of user interfaces:
     * **graphical user interface (GUI)** uses **icons** and other visual metaphors.
     * **menu-driven interface**:
-      * Provides text-based menus
+      * Provides text-based menus.
-      * Displays available user options
+      * Displays available user options.
     * **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.