Process Management in Operating Systems - Coursework Example

Operating Systems Your name Course Date Introduction The first computers were built to perform simple single tasks like a conventional calculator. As time went by, computers began being designed to perform more complex tasks, and this created a need to develop computer with faster, larger and better memory so as to be able to handle this complex tasks. Basic operating systems such as resident monitor were developed in the 1950s (Kent.edu, 2008).These was meant to automatically allow different programs to run in close succession so as to speed up processing. The more complex and modern forms of operating systems did not exist until the early 1960s. They were made to accommodate additional hardware features and enabled to use interrupts, run time libraries and parallel processing. The advent and popularity of personal computers also led to the use of operating systems similar in concept to those that were in use, in larger computers. Computers changed fast from execution of only one program at a time. Users of computers had sole use of a computer for a limited time. The program would then be loaded into the machine, and it would be set to work until the programme crashed or completed. Later machines were preinstalled with more libraries of programs that were linked to a user’s program. This was meant to assist in operations such as output and input as well as generating computer codes from symbolic, human readable codes. This was considered to be the beginning of the modern day operating system. Despite this, the machine could run only a single program at a go. Modern day computing has far surpassed this ancient day technology. Computers are able to run multiple programmes at a go, perform more complex tasks and even be accessed by more users at an instance (Oxlade, 2011). Machines are faster and smaller even as compared to the initial computers. It is expected that further development in computing will see the genesis of more super computers with more utilities, faster speeds, larger memories and powerful processors. Ever since the first computer, the need to have bigger and faster memory has driven the development of the operating system (Graham, 2013). Operating Systems An operating system refers to a collection of software that manages the hardware resources within a computer (Gorman, 2000). The operating system also provides common services for computer related programs. It is perhaps the most essential component of all the system software in a computer system. Operating systems are the basis upon which other applications function. Without the operating system, all other application programs may not function. Time-sharing operating systems are systems that schedule tasks for the efficient use of a computer system. This may also include accounting applications for allocation of costs of processor time, printing, mass storage and other resources. The operating system also functions as an intermediary between computer hardware and programs. This is especially for hardware functions such as output and input and allocation of memory. The application codes are directly executed by hardware. This makes a system call to the operating systems functions or interrupts the system call. This is essentially the relationship between the hardware, software and operating systems. The applications of operating systems are diverse and are found in almost any device that has a computer component. This range from video game consoles, cellular phones, calculators, web servers and super computers. Examples of modern and popular operating systems that are in wide use globally include Android, GNU/Linux, Microsoft Windows and QNX (Reuter, 2012). Real-time Operating systems A real time operating system refers to a multitasking operating system that aims at executing real-time tasks and applications (Watkins, 2008). These often use specialized algorithms for scheduling so that they can achieve a deterministic behavioural nature. The primary objective of real-time operating systems is their predictable and quick response to events. Real time operating systems have a time drive or event sharing design and in most cases often aspects of both. Event driving systems switch between tasks based on external events or their priorities. Time-sharing operating systems switch tasks as a result of clock interrupts. Multi-user Operating Systems A multi user operating system refers to a system that allows multiple users to access the system of a computer at the same time. Multi user systems include internet servers and time sharing systems because that enable access to a computer by multiple users through the sharing of time. Sometimes it is even possible for different users to access the same system even from different locations. Single user operating systems, may allow multiple user programs to be initiated and operated at the same time, even though they only can allow one user. Multitasking Operating Systems vs. single-tasking Operating systems A multitasking operating system enables more than one program to run at the same time from the human time scales point of view. A system that has only one programme running is a single tasking system. Multi-tasking occurs in two forms, cooperative multitasking and pre-emptive multitasking. In pre-emptive multitasking, the Computer processing unit is sliced by the operating system so as to dedicate one slot for each of the programs seeking to use it. These are supported in UNIX like operating systems such as Linux and Solaris as well as AmigaOS. Cooperative multitasking is achieved through reliance on each process so as to give sufficient time to other processes in s systematic and defined manner. Examples of these are 16 bit versions of Windows by Microsoft. Pre-emptive multitasking is used in 32 bit versions of Win9x and Windows NT. Prior to OS X; Mac OS supported cooperative multitasking Distributed Operating systems Distributed operating systems manage a group of independent computers and make them seem as a single computer. The development of computers that are networked and that could be linked to communicate with each other has basis for the development of distributed operating systems and distributed computing. Distributed computations occur on more than one machine. Distributed operating systems occur when computers in a group work in synergized cooperation to complete a task. Embedded Operating systems These are operating systems that have been designed to be used in computer systems that are embedded. They are designed for operations in small devices and machines such as PDA’s that have less autonomy. Embedded operating systems are able to operate the machines with limited resources. They have been designed to be very compact and extremely efficient. Examples of embedded operating systems are Windows CE and Minix 3. Memory management is a functionality of the operating system that manages and handles primary memory (Princeton.edu, 2011). Memory management issues have been a primary driver for the development of operating systems over the years. This is especially because the development of operating systems is premised on increasing efficiency and creating a memorable and smooth user experience. Memory management is a system that keeps track of all memory locations and checks how much memory to allocate to processes. It determines which process will get memory and at what time and also tracks whenever some memory is free or unallocated and updates the status as per the new information. Memory management as related to hardware is mostly concerned with the electronic devices that store information and data such as the Random Access. Memory and Memory Caches Development of operating systems has been premised on trying to deal with the basic problems in managing memory. The biggest problem is on knowing when to keep data and when to throw the data away so that memory is reused. Developers have also sought to create manual and automatic memory management so as to facilitate an easier experience without interruptions. The memory also determines what operating system to be used because they vary in virtual size as well as the memory they use to function. This has shifted the use of manual memory management such as Pascal and C++ to automatic memory management tools such as Java, JavaScript and Python, File Managers A file browser or file manager is a computer program which provides a user interface for working with and operating file systems (Osuna, 2008). The conventional operations that are performed on files or groups of files include open, create, close, edit, play, rename, save, find, modify, move rename and file permissions. Files are normally displayed in a hierarchical manner and are organized as how files would be in a library or store. Some file managers have extra features that have been inspired by internet browsers including navigational buttons such as back and forward. Other types of file managers provide connectivity to networks through protocols such as NFS, SMB, FTP or WebDAV. This happens by enabling a user to browse for a server by connecting and accessing the file system of the server like a local file system. Others achieve this by providing a full client implementation for server protocols related to file servers. A directory editor is the name that file managers were used to be called during their initial creation. Navigational file manager This is an explorer type manager. It is a new type of file manager that became prominent as a result of its integration with Microsoft windows. Windows explorer is an example of this type. It is currently the most dominant type of file managers for personal and desktop computers due to its wide usage in Microsoft windows operating system Input and output management in operating systems In computing, output and input refers to the communication between the information processing system such as the computer and the users of the computer in the outside world or any other external information processing system (Watson, 2008). Input refers to signals or data received by the system. Output refers to data or signals sent from the system. The terms can also refer to the actions that actualize input or output of data or signals. Input refers also to the input operation while output refers to the output operation. Input and output devices are the components used by a person or another system to communicate with the computer. Input devices are used to send signals or input data to the computer while output devices are used to read or collect information and data from the computers. Input devices for computers include keyboards, mouse, and microphones while printers and monitors may be considered to be output devices for a computer. Other devices that facilitate communication between computers are considered both input and output devices. These include modems and network cards. In the architecture of a computer, the CPU and main memory combination is the brain of the computer. Any transfer of information to that combination or from it requires the use of input and output devices. Input and output management is mapped in the operating system through the use of input-output algorithms. The output from other devices may be the input for another. For example, printers and monitors are standalone devices and take input signals from the computer which is essentially outputs. They convert these signals into data or representations that human beings can see, read or understand. This is a process of receiving input for a human being. This interacting of computers and human beings using input output devices is known as human computer interaction. Human beings interact with computers and other machines by providing information through input machines and receiving output through output devices. Management of input and output devices can affect the usability and beneficial capabilities of a system. Input output management is, therefore, one of the most important roles of an operating system. Some input devices have some bits of information encoded into them. Normally, human input is required in operating input devices; however, the devices through interaction with the operating system are able to make something meaningful from the interactions. Computer systems may also be embedded so as they are bale to interact with real life activities or processes. The operating system of the main computer helped to coordinate the processes of input and output devices such as the keyboard and mouse, as well as, the monitor or printers. The operating system assists in event managements within the computer system by checking for events and incorporating input output in event recognition mechanisms. Input output management; therefore requires that a proper set up is developed by an application on a computer system with input/output device. This is especially because an input output operation is a combination of software and hardware instructions. The operating system analyses and interprets the issuance of input and output commands and then communicates it into an output device. This may serve as another input for further action. Process management Process management is an important element of modern day operating systems. The operating system has a role to play in the allocation of resources to processes in a system, enable the processes to exchange and share information and protect the resources of each process for those of other process. It also enables synchronization among processes in a computer. The operating system must establish and maintain a comprehensive data structure for each process so as to meet its objectives and requirements. These data structures describe the state and resource ownership of all processes and thus enable the operating system to exert sufficient control over each process. Process management is important in multi programming where more than one program is loaded in the memory of a computer at the same time. This can happen when more than one user is executing, the same program, or each user has a separate copy of a program loaded into memory. The processor may execute a number of instructions from one program or have several processes being sustained over a long period of time. This is known as concurrent execution and requires a process manager so as to ensure that the different processes run smoothly and efficiently without negatively affecting other processes. Process management sometimes involves the stopping of one process and commencing or restarting another process. Processes may also include sub processes, which also affect the functioning of the operating system. The development of technology and the advent of the information age have necessitated faster and bigger memory. This, in turn, has led to the evolution of the operating system from a simple invention to a more complex form. It continues to develop to suit the growing needs of technological advances from the first single, simple task computer to the current supercomputers such as the Tianhe-2 from China and the Titan from the USA (Woolatson, 2013). References Gorman, J. (2000). Operating systems. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan. Graham, V. (2013, August 8). Patent Issued for Computer System Capable of Adjusting Operating Frequency Dynamically. Computer Weekly News, 5, 13-14. Kent.edu. (2008, June 5). History of Operating Systems. Kent.edu. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rmuhamma/OpSystems/Myos/osHistory.htm Osuna, A. (2008). IBM system storage and virtual file manager. United States: IBM. Oxlade, C. (2011). The computer. Chicago, Ill.: Heinemann Library. Princeton.edu. (2011, June 14). Memory management. Princeton University - Home. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Memory_management.html Reuter, C. (2012). Advanced Linux Operating Systems. New Delhi: World Technologies. Watkins, T. (2008, July 23). Nature and History of Operating Systems for Computers. Powering Silicon Valley | San Jose State University. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/opsys.htm Watson, J. (2008). A history of computer operating systems: UNIX, DOS, Lisa, Macintosh, Windows, Linux (Version 1.0. Ed.). Ann Arbor, MI: Nimble Books. Woolatson, V. (2013, June 17). New Chinese supercomputer is the world's fastest, with speeds equivalent to 338 million ordinary PCs put together | Mail Online. Home | Mail Online. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2343265/New-Chinese-supercomputer-worlds-fastest-speeds-equivalent-338-million-ordinary-PCs-together.html Read More