computer

Module 2: Computers and Operating Systems

In this module, you will learn the components that make up a personal computer. A personal computer is made up of many components, most importantly the CPU, motherboard, RAM, hard disk, removable media, and input/output devices. Parts make a whole: it takes many several parts working together for a computer to do its job. For instance, a computer system includes various devices to performs the basic functions of computing like input, processing, output, and storage.

According to the book  Introduction to Computer and  Information Technology (2019), input devices means entering data, such a text, images, or sounds.

Text and Commands. Perhaps the most basic input device is the keyboard. Also, the mouse to move the pointer on the monitor. A Trackball that is similar to a mouse. Images that you can download from the internet. Sounds for example microphones can be used to input sounds.

Processing Devices. Inside the computer, data travels from one device to another through the computer’s motherboard. This boar is covered with electrical circuits and switches, and it connects vital pieces of hardware such a CPU and memory.

Output Devices. It is the results of the computer’s processing. The output that the user sees or hear can lead them to give the computer new instructions for processing their data. A computer needs output devices to display the results of its processing. Text and images are displayed on a computer screen on a computer. They can also be printed by a printer. Sound data is sent to speakers inside or connected to a computer to, the computer ( IC3 Certification, 2016).

What is an Operating System?

An Operating System (OS) is a software that acts as an interface between computer hardware components and the user. Every computer system must have at least one operating system to run other programs. Applications like Browsers, MS Office, Notepad Games, etc., need some environment to run and perform its tasks.  The OS helps you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer’s language. It is not possible for the user to use any computer or mobile device without having an operating system.

An operating system is also referred to as an OS, and it’s a programming framework. That allows the user to interact with various computer applications and their functions without knowing any computer language. Thus, it’s a crucial program that stays functional in the computer device to run single or multiple tasks at a time.

The computer operating systems can perform the activities like accessing software, showing commands on the screen, analyzing records, printing documents, and more. The operating system also makes sure that the multiple tasks of the user do not mix up with each other. It also provides security from any unwanted access and prevents unauthorized access.

So, the operating system can be explained as the framework that builds up the suitable interface between the computer resources and the user. It functions from essential to advanced computing activities on the command of the user. Memory management, input, and output handling are a few tasks it executes for the user. Windows 8, Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11, Linux, Mac OS, iOS, and Android are examples of the operating system.

Williams, L (2021)  What is Operating System?. Guru99  https://www.guru99.com/author/lawrenceLinks to an external site.  

 

Difference between Hardware and Operating System :

Hardware	Operating System
Computer Hardware consists of physical parts of computer.	Operating System is a translator between computer user and hardware.
It is physical component required for system to function without which computer will not start.	It usually allows software and hardware to communicate and helps to make computer hardware available to application programs.
Features of hardware includes tangible, physical component, memory, storage capacity, power supply, etc.	Features of operating system includes resource allocation, handle input/output operations, program execution, protected and supervisor mode, etc.
Type of computer hardware includes input devices, processing devices, output devices and storage devices, etc.	Types of OS includes Batch OS, Real time OS, Mobile OS, Multiprocessing OS, Time sharing OS, etc.
Benefits of hardware include increase staff productivity, implement right business technology, store information, develop effective communication, etc.	Benefits of OS includes eliminates external fragmentation, make it easy to allocate memory, easy to use with GUI, create abstraction, etc.
Functions of computer hardware includes input, processing, storage, and output.	Functions of OS includes manage computer resources, establish user interface, execute, and provide services for application software.
Its main purpose is to make any electronic or computer device work and execute tasks.	Its main purpose is translated language of hardware language into software language and then display it in human readable form.
It can be touched because it is a physical part of computer.	It cannot be touched because it runs on computer.
Hardware’s are important for computer to work properly and computer cannot function without computer hardware’s.	It is important because one cannot access computer hardware without operating system.

Difference between Hardware and Operating System. (2020). geeksforgeek.  https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-hardware-and-operating-system/ (Links to an external site.)

The following are important definitions that you need to learn to understand all the concepts learned in this modules:

· Motherboard -It is an important computer component because it's what everything else connects to! The motherboard is a decently sized circuit board that lets other components communicate.

· Central Processing Unit (CPU) It referred to as a computer's brain, is the workhorse of the machine. It performs the calculations needed by a system and can vary in speed.

· Random-access Memory (RAM) It is temporary memory.

· Graphics Card. The major work of the graphics card is to create graphics and images that can be shown on a monitor. If your computer does not have the graphics card, you will not see the data and the computer would be useless.

· Hard Drive. Hard drive would be another component of a computer. Hard drive is used to store programs and files on your computer.

· Network Card. Network card would be separate card or integrated into the motherboard. The major work of network card is to enable your computer to connect to the network and Internet.

· Monitor. It is an important component of the computer. Even though the computer is great, but without monitor, they also would be useless.

· USB Ports. USB port is also one of the most important computer components. The USB port enables you to connect some computer accessories, such as a mouse, keyboard, external hard drive and so on. So, it would be an essential part of the computer.

Operating System Characteristics (Features)

Do you know all the applications, including MS Office, editing software, browser, and games need a suitable environment to execute their task? The operating system is the software that enables an ideal environment for all these application software to work effectively. And here, users do not require using any computer language to interact with various input and output activities.

And without using an operating system, it is not possible to use smartphone devices to computer devices efficiently. Especially for the general user, it is mandatory to implement at least a stable operating system. Hence, the operating system is the software that aligns other software to work sufficiently using the computer’s hardware devices.

Below are some crucial and notable features of the operating system. So read these to understand all these characteristics of the operating system.

1. Work Management

Task management of the computing device is one of the significant features of the operating system. Also, it is considered an essential function of the OS because it manages all activity here. So, the work can execute systematically and be processed when it is needed. In short, here, the OS defines the sequence in which the activities execute, wherein queue means the task is awaiting its execution.

If you also use a PC, then it is one of the everyday things you can notice. However, there can be many reasons, but a few resources are getting used by other programs. Or another prioritized task is executing, and any other special requirement can also be there.

2. Resource Management

Hardware and software both are interdependent. And if the hardware is absent, then the software cannot be used, and if the software is not there, then hardware is useless to run the task. Hence, to balance these two resources, the operating system takes place. It optimizes the resources of the computer by allowing a simple task executing process.

OS reviews all the tasks in the tabular format and checks whether all the computer  components (Links to an external site.)  are working well. Hence, it’s also one of the essential characteristics of an operating system.

3. Input and Output Control

The operating system contains the control of the input and output activities of the computer. It builds up a dictionary or input and output task to execute whenever the user gives the command. Input and output are two essential terms from where the task starts and ends.

And maintaining control over both OS can ensure a stable and efficient experience for the user. However, to execute the input and output, the operating system must carry a set of programs that allow it to manage and process the input and output instructions provided by the user.

4. Multitasking System

Nowadays, modern operating systems also encompass multitasking functionality. These are now capable of executing multiple tasks at the same time. For example, if the user is doing a computing task in Excel and wishes to print the page, he does not need to stop the task.

This requires only one command, and the page will get printed, and at the same time, the user can also access the drives without closing the tab. Hence, multitasking is another excellent feature of an operating system.

5. Has Associated Mechanism

Operating systems also contain some crucial mechanisms mentioned below.

It has a mechanism to verify each user, and for this, it can use password protection or other features.

It also provides security from harmful elements and blocks before it reaches the device. Nowadays, many spyware and malicious codes are impacting computer devices. Hence this mechanism is crucial to have within the operating system.

OS mostly also has the mechanism to set the limit on the available resources for each user. Hence, if the boss needs to give access to his computer to his employee, in that case, he can put some limitations to access some files.

6. Encompasses Nucleus

It’s a core of the operating system, and in the modern OS, you can find monolithic nuclei. These cores help the OS to give way to the program so they can execute. For this, it can use ram to store the data quickly until the task gets completed. Many cores offer drivers to control the hardware, such as the hard disk and monitor of the computer device.

7. Ensure Connection

OS also ensures the stable and reliable connection between the hardware and software of the computer. It is the critical base on which the operating system can be defined accurately. As every hardware and software component requires operating software to align them in an optimized way. So, the user of that device can efficiently operate and execute the ideal program.

References

Kumar, S (2021)  Operating System Characteristics. The Crazy Programmer  https://www.thecrazyprogrammer.com/2021/10/operating-system-characteristics.html (Links to an external site.)

Poon, C. C. L. H. (2004). Introduction to Operating Systems.  Researchgate.  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chavez-C-L-H-Poon/publication/340030716_Introduction_to_Operating_Systems/links/5e7365bd299bf1571848d361/Introduction-to-Operating-Systems.pdf