Chapter 1: Introduction

What is an Operating System?

A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware Operating system goals: Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier Make the computer system convenient to use Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner

Computer System Structure

Computer system can be divided into four components Hardware provides basic computing resources CPU, memory, I/O devices Operating system Controls and coordinates use of hardware among various applications and users Application programs define the ways in which the system resources are used to solve the computing problems of the users Word processors, compilers, web browsers, database systems, video games Users People, machines, other computers

Four Components of a Computer System

Operating System Definition

OS is a resource allocator

Manages all resources Decides between conflicting requests for efficient and fair resource use Controls execution of programs to prevent errors and improper use of the computer

OS is a control program

Operating System Definition (Cont)

No universally accepted definition Everything a vendor ships when you order an operating system is good approximation

But varies wildly

The one program running at all times on the computer is the kernel. Everything else is either a system program (ships with the operating system) or an application program

Operating System Structure

Multiprogramming needed for efficiency Single user cannot keep CPU and I/O devices busy at all times Multiprogramming organizes jobs (code and data) so CPU always has one to execute A subset of total jobs in system is kept in memory

One job selected and run via job

scheduling

When it has to wait (for I/O for example), OS switches to another job

Timesharing

Timesharing (multitasking) is logical extension

Each user has at least one program executing in memory process If several jobs ready to run at the same time CPU

scheduling

If processes dont fit in memory, swapping moves them in and out to run Virtual memory allows execution of processes not completely in memory

Operating-System Operations

Interrupt driven by hardware Software error or request creates exception or trap Division by zero, request for operating system service Other process problems include infinite loop, processes modifying each other or the operating system Dual-mode operation allows OS to protect itself and other system components User mode and kernel mode Mode bit provided by hardware Provides ability to distinguish when system is running user code or kernel code Some instructions designated as privileged, only executable in kernel mode System call changes mode to kernel, return from call resets it to user

Process Management

A process is a program in execution. It is a unit of work within the system. Program is a passive entity, process is an active entity. Process needs resources to accomplish its task CPU, memory, I/O, files Initialization data Process termination requires reclaim of any reusable resources Single-threaded process has one program counter specifying location of next instruction to execute Process executes instructions sequentially, one at a time, until completion Multi-threaded process has one program counter per thread Typically system has many processes, some user, some operating system running concurrently on one or more CPUs Concurrency by multiplexing the CPUs among the processes / threads

Process Management Activities

The operating system is responsible for the following activities in connection with process management: Creating and deleting both user and system processes Suspending and resuming processes Providing mechanisms for process synchronization Providing mechanisms for process communication Providing mechanisms for deadlock handling

Memory Management

All data in memory before and after processing All instructions in memory in order to execute Memory management determines what is in memory when Optimizing CPU utilization and computer response to users Memory management activities Keeping track of which parts of memory are currently being used and by whom Deciding which processes (or parts thereof) and data to move into and out of memory Allocating and deallocating memory space as needed

Storage Management

OS provides uniform, logical view of information storage Abstracts physical properties to logical storage unit - file Each medium is controlled by device (i.e., disk drive, tape drive) Varying properties include access speed, capacity, data-transfer rate, access method (sequential or random) File-System management Files usually organized into directories Access control on most systems to determine who can access what OS activities include Creating and deleting files and directories Primitives to manipulate files and dirs Mapping files onto secondary storage Backup files onto stable (non-volatile) storage media

Mass-Storage Management

Usually disks used to store data that does not fit in main memory or data that must be kept for a long period of time Proper management is of central importance Entire speed of computer operation hinges on disk subsystem and its algorithms OS activities Free-space management Storage allocation Disk scheduling Some storage need not be fast Tertiary storage includes optical storage, magnetic tape Still must be managed Varies between WORM (write-once, read-many-times) and RW (read-write)

I/O Subsystem

One purpose of OS is to hide peculiarities of hardware devices from the user I/O subsystem responsible for

Memory management of I/O including buffering (storing data temporarily while it is being transferred), caching (storing parts of data in faster storage for performance), spooling (the overlapping of output of one job with input of other jobs) General device-driver interface Drivers for specific hardware devices

Protection and Security

Protection any mechanism for controlling access of processes or users to resources defined by the OS Security defense of the system against internal and external attacks Huge range, including denial-of-service, worms, viruses, identity theft, theft of service Systems generally first distinguish among users, to determine who can do what User identities (user IDs, security IDs) include name and associated number, one per user User ID then associated with all files, processes of that user to determine access control Group identifier (group ID) allows set of users to be defined and controls managed, then also associated with each process, file Privilege escalation allows user to change to effective ID with more rights