Operating system functions
In any computer, the operating system:
- Controls the A computer's primary data store, ie the hard disk. and A device that connects to a computer, eg a mouse, keyboard, printer or scanner. such as scanners and printers.
- Deals with the transfer of programs in and out of memory.
- Organises the use of The part of a computer that stores data. between programs.
- Organises The time it takes for a processor to process an input and generate an output. between programs and users.
- Maintains security and access rights of users.
- Deals with errors and user instructions.
- Allows the user to save files to a backing store.
- Provides the interface between the user and the computer - for example, An operating system by Microsoft. and Apple A version of Apple's Mac OS operating system for Apple computers..
- Issues simple error messages.
In a larger computer such as a mainframe the operating system works on the same principles.