operating system definition

An operating system is the core interface layer between computer hardware and users. As a system software, it manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for applications. Operating systems perform critical functions including resource allocation, process management, memory management, file system maintenance, and user interface provision, abstracting complex hardware operations into simple interfaces that allow users and applications to conveniently utilize computer resources. From early batch processing systems to modern distributed operating systems, this technology platform has continuously evolved to become an indispensable foundation in modern computing environments.

Background: The Origin of Operating Systems

The concept of operating systems dates back to the 1950s. In the early stages of computer development, programs ran directly on hardware without a unified software layer to coordinate resource usage.

• The first generation of operating systems emerged during the mainframe era, primarily existing as batch processing systems, such as IBM's OS/360.
• In the 1960s, the emergence of time-sharing systems marked the evolution of operating systems toward multi-user, interactive directions.
• After the rise of personal computers, Microsoft's MS-DOS and Apple's Mac OS promoted the popularization of desktop operating systems.
• In 1991, Linus Torvalds created the Linux kernel, opening a new chapter for open-source operating systems.
• In the mobile internet era, Android and iOS became mainstream mobile operating systems.

Operating systems evolved from simple program loaders to complex resource management platforms, reflecting the overall progress of computing technology.

Work Mechanism: How Operating Systems Function

Operating systems run above hardware, implementing their functions through a multi-layered architecture:

• Kernel Layer: The core part of the system, responsible for the most basic resource management

  • Process Management: Creating, scheduling, and terminating processes, coordinating multitasking
  • Memory Management: Allocating and reclaiming memory space, implementing virtual memory mechanisms
  • Device Management: Controlling input/output devices, providing driver interfaces
  • File System: Organizing and managing storage structures for persistent data

• System Call Interface: Providing standardized interfaces for applications to access system resources

• User Interface Layer: Including Command Line Interface (CLI) or Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Operating systems use interrupt mechanisms to handle hardware events and system calls, allocate CPU time through process scheduling algorithms, and implement protection mechanisms to isolate operations between different programs and users, ensuring secure and stable system operation.

Risks and Challenges of Operating Systems

Despite the maturity of operating system technology, it still faces numerous challenges:

• Security Threats

  • System vulnerabilities can be exploited for unauthorized access or attacks
  • Privilege escalation attacks may lead to loss of system control
  • Malware can infect systems through operating system vulnerabilities

• Performance and Resource Management

  • Resource scheduling optimization in complex application scenarios
  • Balance between functional expansion and system overhead

• Compatibility and Standardization

  • Hardware driver compatibility issues
  • Application portability challenges between different operating system platforms

• Adaptation to New Technologies

  • Architectural adjustments brought by virtualization and container technologies
  • Lightweight operating system requirements for IoT devices
  • New architectural demands for AI and big data processing

These challenges drive the continuous evolution of operating systems toward more secure, efficient, and intelligent directions.

As the infrastructure of computing environments, the importance of operating systems is self-evident. They are not only managers of hardware resources but also platforms for application execution and windows for user interaction. As computing technology develops toward cloud computing, edge computing, IoT, and other directions, operating systems continue to evolve, adopting microkernel, virtualization, and other technologies to adapt to new environments. In the future, operating systems will place more emphasis on security, scalability, and intelligence, continuing to serve as the critical bridge connecting the hardware and software worlds, supporting the flourishing development of various innovative applications.