Unit 475: Operating Systems

1. Introduction to Operating Systems

• Definition and purpose of an operating system (OS)
• Core functions of an OS
• Types of operating systems
  • Batch OS
  • Time-sharing OS
  • Distributed OS
  • Real-time OS
  • Mobile OS
• Role of OS in managing hardware and software resources

2. Operating System Structure

• Overview of OS architecture
• Kernel
  • Monolithic kernel
  • Microkernel
  • Hybrid kernel
• User Interface
  • Command-line interface (CLI)
  • Graphical user interface (GUI)
• File system overview
• Device drivers
  • Purpose and functions
  • Interaction with hardware

3. Process Management

• Definition of a process
• Process states and lifecycle
• Process control block (PCB)
• Multitasking and multiprocessing
• Process scheduling algorithms
  • First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)
  • Shortest Job Next (SJN)
  • Round Robin (RR)
  • Priority Scheduling
• Inter-process communication (IPC)
  • Shared memory
  • Message passing
• Synchronization mechanisms
  • Semaphores
  • Mutexes
  • Deadlock concepts

4. Memory Management

• Memory hierarchy overview
• Main memory vs. secondary storage
• Memory allocation techniques
  • Contiguous allocation
  • Non-contiguous allocation
• Virtual memory concepts
  • Paging
  • Segmentation
• Memory protection and sharing
• Swapping and thrashing

5. File System Management

• File system concepts and structure
• File types and attributes
• File operations (create, read, write, delete)
• Storage devices overview
• File allocation methods
  • Contiguous
  • Linked
  • Indexed
• Directory structures
  • Single-level
  • Two-level
  • Tree-structured

6. Input/Output Management

• Overview of I/O systems
• Device management
• I/O techniques
  • Programmed I/O
  • Interrupt-driven I/O
  • Direct Memory Access (DMA)
• I/O scheduling algorithms
• Buffering and caching
• Error detection and handling

7. Security and Protection

• Security goals in OS
• Access control methods
• Authentication techniques
• Encryption basics
• Common security threats
  • Viruses and malware
  • Unauthorized access
  • Denial of service

8. Operating System Performance

• Performance metrics
  • Throughput
  • Latency
  • CPU utilization
• Factors affecting performance
• Optimization techniques
• Benchmarking methods

9. Case Studies in Operating Systems

• Historical evolution of operating systems
• Case study: Unix/Linux
  • Design principles
  • Strengths and weaknesses
• Case study: Windows OS
  • Architecture overview
  • Impact on personal computing
• Case study: Mobile OS (Android/iOS)
  • Unique challenges and features
• Comparative analysis of OS designs