The Operating System (OS) is a system software acting as a layer between the user / application and the hardware. This means that the OS communicates with the hardware and allows programs to run. Not only PCs run operating systems, but dedicated devices, such as tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, game consoles, smart watches, etc. have their own OS.

Examples of OSs are: Windows, Linux, Apple iOS, Andriod, etc.

Step 1: Research about Operating Systems and the main functions (User Interface, File Management, Memory Management, CPU Management and I/O Management) and make sure that you can answer the below questions. Check this video about Operating Systems to get you started right away!

• What do you understand by user interfaces?
• Distinguish between CLI and GUI
• Explain how the operating system manages and organises files.
• Mention at least two different File Structures.
• How does the CPU run more than one process which seem to be executed at the same time?
• Explain how the buffering technique used by operating systems solves the problem of having the CPU speed faster than that of I/O devices?

STEP 2: Three types of OSs are: Real time, Batch, and Time Sharing. Research about the different types of operating systems and answer the questions below. This video is a great taster to start with!

• Distinguish between single-user and multi-user (time-sharing) OS? Mention one scenario whereby these two types of OSs are used.
• Distinguish between single-programming and multi-programming types of OS.
• How is Batch OS different than a Real-Time OS? Mention one scenario whereby these two types of OSs are used.
• Mention two characteristics of Batch OS and Real-time OS.
• Mention one function of a Networked OS and specify in which situations is networked OS usually used.

Note that the file OS_Notes.pdf which can be found in the resource section contains information about operating systems.

STEP 3:  Open the file OS_Worksheet.pdf  and work out the questions related to operating systems which are taken from past examination papers.

Note that the answers are found on OS_Worksheet_Answers.pdf