This week’s topics
What an operating system does
- Managing memory, files and devices
- The user interface
What you will be able to do
- 2.1 Explain the function of an operating system.
Activity
Find five operating system jobs on your own computer or phone.
Study materials
Further resources
- Introduction to Computer Science, 6.1: What Is an Operating System? · PDF · OpenStax Introduction to Computer Science (2024), 6.1: how the OS manages memory, files and devices, pp. 240–245 · for registered students
- Introduction to Computer Science, 6.2: OS interfaces · PDF · OpenStax Introduction to Computer Science (2024), 6.2 on the user interface: GUI or command line, pp. 246–249 · for registered students
- Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective, 1.7: The OS Manages the Hardware · PDF · Bryant & O'Hallaron, CS:APP 2e manuscript sample, 1.7: processes, memory and files (a step up), pp. 12–16 · for registered students
- Operating System Concepts 10e, Study Guide: ch. 1–2 · PDF · Study Guide to Operating System Concepts 10e (os-book.com), companion notes on what an OS does and its services (a step up), pp. 1–2 · for registered students
- The UNIX time-sharing system · Open-access article · Ritchie & Thompson (1974), Communications of the ACM. Classic, readable account of how an OS manages files, processes and devices. · for registered students
- YASS: a system simulator for operating system and computer architecture teaching · Open-access article · Mustafa (2013), European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education. A simulator used to teach how an OS manages memory and processes. · for registered students
Materials marked “for registered students” open in the student portal, which is set up as soon as you receive final acceptance.
