Question

What is the purpose of operating system and its functions?

Answer

An Operating System acts as a communication bridge (interface) between the user and computer hardware. The purpose of an operating system is to provide a platform on which a user can execute programs in a convenient and efficient manner.

Two main functions of an operating system

• The control and management of the hardware components that make up the computer (input/output processes to and from the peripherals connected to the system).


• Manage file storage and access. The programs can manage data storage on mass memory (obtaining complex structures, such as a database), using the procedures made available to the operating system. The component of the OS that takes care of all this is called the file system.