What is the basic unit of information managed by an operating system?

The basic unit of operating system management information is a file. An operating system is a computer program that manages computer hardware and software resources. The functions of the operating system include process management, storage management, device management, file management and job management.

The operating environment of this tutorial: Windows 10 system, DELL G3 computer

What is the basic unit of operating system management information?

The operating system (Operating System, OS for short) is a computer program that manages computer hardware and software resources. The operating system needs to handle basic tasks such as managing and configuring memory, determining the priority of system resource supply and demand, controlling input and output devices, operating the network, and managing the file system. The operating system also provides an operating interface for users to interact with the system.

The operating system mainly includes the following functions:

1. Process management. Its main job is process scheduling. In the case of single user and single task, the processor is only for one user. Exclusively for one task, the work of process management is very simple. However, in the case of multi-programming or multi-user, when organizing multiple jobs or tasks, it is necessary to solve the problems of processor scheduling, allocation and recycling.

2. Storage management is divided into several functions: storage allocation, storage sharing, storage protection, and storage expansion.

3. Device management has the following functions: device allocation, device transmission control, and device independence.

4. File management: file storage space management, directory management, file operation management, and file protection.

5. Job management is responsible for processing any requirements submitted by users.

Related introduction:

Throughout the history of computers, operating systems are closely related to the development of computer hardware. The original intention of the operating system was to provide simple work sequencing capabilities, but it gradually evolved to assist in updating more complex hardware facilities. Starting from the earliest batch mode, the time-sharing mechanism also appeared. When the multi-processor era came, the operating system also added multi-processor coordination functions, and even distributed system coordination functions. Other aspects of evolution have been similar. On the other hand, the operating system of personal computers follows the growth path of mainframes. As the hardware becomes more and more complex and powerful, it gradually realizes functions that were only available on mainframes in the past.

Since the birth of the first electronic computer in 1946, each generation of its evolution has been aimed at reducing costs, reducing size, reducing power consumption, increasing capacity and improving performance. With the development of computer hardware, At the same time, it also accelerated the formation and development of the operating system (OS for short).

The original computer did not have an operating system, and people controlled the computer through various buttons. Later, assembly language appeared, and the operator entered the program into the computer through perforated paper tape for compilation. These computers with built-in languages ​​can only be run by the producers writing their own programs, which is not conducive to the sharing of programs and equipment. In order to solve this problem, the operating system emerged, which can easily realize the sharing of programs and the management of computer hardware resources.

With the development of computing technology and large-scale integrated circuits, microcomputers have developed rapidly. Computer operating systems began to appear in the mid-1970s. In the United States in 1976, DIGITAL RESEARCH Software Company developed an 8-bit CP/M operating system. This system allows users to control and manage the system through the keyboard of the console. Its main function is to manage file information to achieve automatic access to other device files or hard disk files. Some 8-bit operating systems that have appeared since then mostly use the CP/M structure.

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