Uses of Operating System

The operating system is used everywhere today, such as banks, schools, hospitals, companies, mobiles, etc. No device can operate without an operating system because it controls all the user's commands.

• LINUX/UNIX operating system is used in the bank because it is a very secure operating system.
• Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, iOS, and Android OS are used in mobile phone operating systems as these operating systems are a lightweight operating system.

Features of Operating System

The operating system has many notable features that are developing day by day. The growth of the operating system is commendable as it was developed in 1950 to handle storage tape. It acts as an interface. The features of operating system are given below.

• Error detection and handling
• Handling I/O operations
• Virtual Memory Multitasking
• Program Execution
• Allows disk access and file systems
• Memory management
• Protected and supervisor mode
• Security
• Resource allocation
• Easy to run
• Information and Resource Protection
• Manipulation of the file system

Characteristics of Operating System

Memory Management: The operating system manages memory. It has complete knowledge of primary memory; which part of the memory is used by which program. Whenever a program requests, it allocates memory.

Processor Management: It allocates the program to the processor (CPU) and also deallocates it when a program runs out of the CPU needs.

Device Management: The operating system keeps the information about all devices. It is also called the I/O controller, and the operating system also decides which devices are used to which program, when, and for how long.

Security: It prevents unauthorized access to any program. It uses passwords and other technologies.

Reliability: It is very reliable because no any virus and harmful code can be detected in it.

File Management: It allocates and deallocates resources and decides which program to allocate resources.

Easy to use: It can be easily used as it also has a GUI interface.

Needs of Operating System

The following points indicate the need for the operating system:

• More than one program runs at a time in a computer, and all of them require your computer's CPU and memory. The operating system manages resources for all those programs. That is why the operating system is required.
• Multitasking is a very critical feature of the OS. With its help, we can run many programs simultaneously.
• The operating system provides a platform to run any application program in the computer. Due to which we can do our work with the help of that application.
• It helps the user in file management. Through this, the user can save the data according to his needs.
• You use your mouse to open the application and click on the menu. All this is possible due to the modern operating system. This operating system allows you to do this with the help of GUI (Graphical user interface).
• The operating system creates a communication link between the user and the computer, allowing the user to run any application program and obtain the required output properly.
• It is almost impossible for a user to use a computer system without an operating system. Many processes run simultaneously when a program is executed, which is not easy for a person to manage.