Operating System

An O perating S ystem (OS) is an interface between hardware and user which is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of the computer. One of the purposes of an operating system is to handle the details of the operation of the hardware. This relieves application programs from managing these details and makes it easier to write applications. Almost all computers (including handheld computers, desktop computers, supercomputers, video game consoles) as well as some robots, domestic appliances (dishwashers, washing machines), and portable media players use an operating system of some type.

Operating systems offer a number of services to application programs and users. Applications access these services through application programming interfaces (APIs) or system calls. By invoking these interfaces, the application can request a service from the operating system, pass parameters, and receive the results of the operation. Users may also interact with the operating system by typing commands in command line or using a graphical user interface (GUI [gui]). For hand-held and desktop computers, the user interface is generally considered part of the operating system. On large multi-user systems like Linux, the user interface is generally implemented as an application program that runs outside the operating system.

Common contemporary operating systems include BSD, Darwin (Mac OS X), Linux, SunOS (Solaris/Open Solaris), and Windows NT (XP/Vista/7). While servers generally run Unix or some Unix-like operating system, embedded system markets are split amongst several operating systems. The Microsoft Windows line of operating systems has almost 90% of the client PC market. Microsoft responded to this progress by hiring Dave Cutler, who had developed the VMS operating system for Digital Equipment Corporation. He would lead the development of the Windows NT operating system, which continues to serve as the basis for Microsoft's operating systems line.

Access to data stored on disks is a central feature of all operating systems. Computers store data on disks using files, which are structured in specific ways in order to allow for faster access, higher reliability, and to make better use out of the drive's available space. The specific way in which files are stored on a disk is called a file system, and enables files to have names and attributes. It also allows them to be stored in directories or folders arranged in a directory tree.

Various differences between file systems make supporting all file systems difficult. Allowed characters in file names, case sensitivity, and the presence of various kinds of file attributes makes the implementation of a single interface for every file system a difficult task. Operating systems support file systems specifically designed for them; for example, NTFS in Windows and ReiserFS in Linux.

Words and word combinations:

1) purpose – цель, назначение/мета, призначення 2) to handle – управлять, регулировать/керувати 3) to relieve – облегчать, освобождать/полегшувати 4) domestic appliances - бытовые электроприборы/побутові електроприбори 5) to invoke – вызывать/викликати 6) to implement – выполнять, осуществлять/виконувати implementation - выполнение, реализация 7) to access - иметь доступ, обращаться/ звертатися; access - доступ, подход/, підхід

I Find the equivalents in the text:

1) распределение ресурсов 2) портативные компьютеры 3) интерфейс прикладного программирования (интерфейс программирования приложений) 4) системный вызов 5) высокая надежность 6) допустимые символы 7) чувствительность к регистру ● 1) розподіл ресурсів 2) портативні комп'ютери 3) інтерфейс прикладного програмування (інтерфейс програмування додатків) 4) системний виклик 5) висока надійність 6) допустимі символи 7) чутливість до регістру

II Correct the following statements and give the right information:

1) Only desktop computers use an OS of some type. 2) Users cannot interact with OSes. 3) Graphical user interface always runs as an application program outside the operating system. 4) Servers usually run a MS Windows operating system. 5) Domestic appliances use no OS. 6) File system and folder tree are the same. 7) It is very easy to develop an OS supported all file systems. 8) There is no restriction for using characters in file names. 9) Directory consists of several folders containing files.

III Choose the correct form to complete and translate the sentences:

1) OS ___ activities of the computer.

a) responsible b) is managed c) manages and coordinates d) share

2) Users may type commands in command line for ___.

a) interacting with OS b) using graphical user interface c) receiving the results d) best performance

3) Graphical user interface ___ part of the OS or ___ as an application program.

a) are, run b) run, is c) is, runs d) is, ran

4) ___ is stored in computers in form of files.

a) date b) OS c) file system d) data

5) We can place ___ in___.

a) folders, files b) files, folders c) files, OS d) memory, files

IV Fill the gaps and translate the sentences:

An OS is ___ between hardware and user. It is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and ___ of the resources of the computer. Operating systems offer a number of services to ___ and users. Applications access these services through application programming interface or ___. Users can interact with the OS by typing commands in ___ or using a graphical user interface. Servers run ___ operating systems, embedded system markets are split amongst several OSes, ___ has 90% of PC market. ___ to data stored on disks is a central feature of all operating systems. The specific way in which files are stored on a disk is called ___. Allowed characters in file names, case sensitivity and file attributes make ___ of a single interface for every file system a difficult task.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1) the implementation 2) MS Windows 3) access 4) a file system 5) Unix or Unix-like 6) an interface 7) system calls 8) the sharing 9) application programs 10) command line

V Give the full name of the shortenings and explain the meaning:

DVD, BRD

Дата добавления: 2015-11-13