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Information and Communication Technology Applications
Embedded
Notes Embedded operating systems are designed to be used in embedded computer systems. They are
designed to operate on small machines like PDAs with less autonomy. They are able to operate with
a limited number of resources. They are very compact and extremely efficient by design. Windows
CE and Minix 3 are some examples of embedded operating systems.
7.2 Operating System Functions
The operating system is the core software component of your computer. It performs many functions
and is, in very basic terms, an interface between your computer and the outside world. In the section
about hardware, a computer is described as consisting of several component parts including your
monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other parts. The operating system provides an interface to these
parts using what is referred to as “drivers”. This is why sometimes when you install a new printer
or other piece of hardware, your system will ask you to install more software called a driver.
Driver
A driver is a specially written program which understands the operation of the device it interfaces
to, such as a printer, video card, sound card or CD ROM drive. It translates commands from the
operating system or user into commands understood by the the component computer part it interfaces
with. It also translates responses from the component computer part back to responses that can be
understood by the operating system, application program, or user. The below diagram gives a
graphical depiction of the interfaces between the operating system and the computer component.
Figure 7.1
Other Operating System Functions
The operating system provides for several other functions including:
• System tools (programs) used to monitor computer performance, debug problems, or main-
tain parts of the system.
• A set of libraries or functions which programs may use to perform specific tasks especially
relating to interfacing with computer system components.
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