Q 10.1 - Operating System Functioning

Differentiate between the operating system as an Extended Machine and the operating system as a Resource Manger.

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Operating System act as both extended machines and resource mangers, depending on their particular activity at a given time.

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The operating System as an extended machine gives the user the platform to perform the task needed to be accomplished.  Operating system acts as extended machines in the following ways

• can be related with at different levels so that any user at any level can use a computer, to create products or outputs

• a place to store files

• the user does not need to perform complex processes in maintenance

• can interrelate task that would have required movement from one place to another

• is predictable and would give outputs that would by themselves not cause any danger

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The operating system as a resource manager ensures all resources of a computer system are well coordinated to make it able to give users services needed to perform requited tasks.  In managing resources, operating systems:

• manages the memory and virtual memory to ensure processes run smoothly

• ensure that the steady flow of information between programs so that there is no clash

• manages the time allocated to processes of the system, during transformation of data into information

• makes sure the hardware is responsive to all request being made.

• monitors the health of the entire system, giving alert where appropriate and executing curative measures in other instances.

 

The major difference between these two functionalities is that the operating system as an extended machine is meant for the user whereas as a resource manager it is meant for the system.