Core responsibilities and services provided by operating systems
Operating systems provide essential functions and services that enable efficient computer operation and user productivity. The primary functions include process management (creation, scheduling, termination), memory management (allocation, protection, virtualization), file system management (storage, organization, access control), device management (driver interface, I/O operations), and security (authentication, authorization, protection). Services provided to users and programs include user interface (command-line or graphical), program execution (loading, running, ending programs), I/O operations (abstracting device complexities), file system manipulation (create, delete, read, write files), communications (inter-process and network communication), error detection and handling (hardware errors, software exceptions), and resource allocation (managing contention for limited resources). Modern operating systems also provide additional services such as logging (system activity records), protection (preventing unauthorized access), and system performance optimization. These functions work together to create a stable, efficient, and secure environment where applications can execute without needing to manage low-level hardware details directly. The OS continuously monitors system state, allocates resources fairly, and responds to changing conditions while maintaining overall system integrity and performance.