About This Book
An Operating System (OS) is the foundational software that manages computer hardware and software
resources and provides various services for computer programs. The structure of an operating system is
organized into several layers to ensure efficient management and resource allocation. At the core is the
kernel, which directly interacts with hardware and handles critical tasks such as process management,
memory management, hardware abstraction, and device control. The kernel provides a secure and
controlled environment for the execution of user programs. Above the kernel, the system call interface
allows user applications to request services from the OS, such as file operations or device manipulation.
These requests are passed through the kernel, which manages execution and returns results. The user
interface sits on top of the system call interface, providing users with access to system resources. This
interface can be a command-line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI), depending on the
operating system's design. Additional components include file systems for managing data storage,
network protocols for communication, and security mechanisms to safeguard against unauthorized
access. The overall structure is designed to be modular, flexible, and efficient, ensuring that users and
applications can access system resources seamlessly and securely. This book provides a comprehensive
understanding of the inner architecture and components of operating systems, exploring how different
layers interact to manage resources and ensure efficient performance.
Contents: 1. Introduction, 2. Structure of Operating Systems, 3. Process System Management, 4. Memory
Management Techniques, 5. Necessity of Operating System and Resources Manager, 6. Computer File
Systems and Storage Management, 7. Device Management and Drivers, 8. Operating System Services
Management.
