ITF+ Certification Cram Notes

3.0 Applications and Software

3.1 Explain the purpose of operating systems.

Memory management

This refers to the management of a computer's primary memory or RAM (Random Access Memory). The operating system manages the memory allocation, ensuring that each application or process has the necessary memory to function correctly. It also handles memory de-allocation when an application terminates or releases the memory it was using.

Device management

The operating system manages the communication between the computer's hardware devices and the applications that use them. It also provides a uniform interface to access and control different devices such as printers, scanners, webcams, etc.

Access control/protection

This refers to the operating system's ability to restrict access to certain resources or functionalities based on the user's privileges. The operating system ensures that only authorized users can access system files, directories, and other sensitive resources. It also provides protection against unauthorized access and malicious software.

Types of OS

An operating system (OS) is a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer system. Here are some types of operating systems:

1. Mobile device OS: This type of OS is designed to run on mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and wearables. Examples include iOS (for Apple devices), Android (for Google devices), and Windows Mobile (for Windows phones).

2. Workstation OS: A workstation OS is designed for personal computers used for professional purposes, such as graphic design, video editing, and software development. Examples include Windows 10 Pro, macOS, and Linux.

3. Server OS: This type of OS is designed for servers that manage network resources and provide services to clients on a network. Examples include Windows Server, Linux server distributions, and UNIX.

4. Embedded OS: This type of OS is designed to run on small, specialized devices such as ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and industrial machines. Embedded OS are typically lightweight and optimized for specific hardware.

5. Firmware: Firmware is a type of software that is installed on hardware devices to control their behavior. It is typically stored in non-volatile memory (ROM, EPROM, or flash memory). Firmware is often used to initialize and configure hardware devices, such as network cards, disk controllers, and printers.

6. Hypervisor (Type 1): Also known as a bare-metal hypervisor, this type of OS is designed to run directly on hardware, without the need for an underlying operating system. A hypervisor allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine, enabling server virtualization. Examples include VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix Hypervisor.