2.1.6+Describe+the+main+functions+of+an+operating+system

=**Operating Systems**=


 * This is confined to a single-user operating system. Technical details are not needed. For example, memory management should be described but how this is handled in a multitasking environment is not expected.**

Operating systems are the pieces of software that manage the operation of the computer.

They control the peripherals and other hardware through the use of software known as drivers.

Operating systems also manage user account security:
 * Usernames and passwords control access.
 * Restriction of resources such as not allowing a non-admin account to install software on Windows.
 * The OS also creates logs of the users activity.

The operating system is in charge of monitoring the system memory, it controls what programs are loaded into the RAM and makes sure that any new programs do not overlap with others in the memory. This can also include virtual memory*.

"Multitasking" is managed by the Operating System too, it uses something known as timesharing as true multitasking is not


 * Virtual Memory is a form of RAM that is created on a form of secondary storage, it is slower than RAM due to the slower bus speeds.

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