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This lesson covers the operating system (OS) — its purpose and key functions. This is specified in OCR J277 Section 1.5.1. The operating system is a critical piece of systems software that manages the entire computer.
An operating system is a type of systems software that manages the computer's hardware and software resources. It acts as an intermediary between the user, application software, and the hardware.
Without an operating system, users would need to communicate with the hardware directly using machine code — which would be impractical for most people.
| OS | Platform |
|---|---|
| Windows | Desktop, laptop |
| macOS | Apple desktop, laptop |
| Linux (e.g. Ubuntu) | Desktop, server |
| Android | Smartphones, tablets |
| iOS | Apple smartphones, tablets |
| Chrome OS | Chromebooks |
The OCR J277 specification requires you to know these functions:
The OS provides a way for the user to interact with the computer:
| Interface Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| GUI (Graphical User Interface) | Windows, icons, menus, pointers (WIMP) | Windows, macOS |
| CLI (Command-Line Interface) | Text-based commands typed by the user | Terminal, Command Prompt |
| Touch interface | Interact by tapping, swiping on a touchscreen | iOS, Android |
| Voice interface | Speak commands to the computer | Siri, Alexa |
The OS is responsible for allocating and managing RAM:
Most modern computers run multiple programs simultaneously. The OS manages this by:
The OS provides a file system to organise data:
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