Providing a user interface
A user interface allows the user to interact with the computer. The first user interface was a text-based interface via the command prompt. The WIMP (Windows, icons, menus and
pointer) is more common these days and may be called a GUI (Graphical user interface). Smartphones and tablets use a mobile user interface that also responds to a range of
gestures.
Memory management and multitasking
When a program is opened it is loaded into main memory and when it is closed it is removed again. The use of virtual memory can increase the number of applications and files
that can be open at once by storing some programs and files not currently being processed in a dedicated area of secondary storage.
A computer does not in reality multi-task. It appears to be multitasking by sharing time on the processor between the various open programs and files, therefore the more memory
you have the more things can be open at the same time.
Peripheral management
Peripherals, i.e. devices connected to the computer system like keyboard and mouse, use software called device drivers to allow them to communicate with the operating system.
These days many device drivers are built directly in to the operating system so separate software does not need to be downloaded. Peripherals are managed via a system of
interrupts sent to and from the operating system, so the computer knows for instance when the user moves the mouse or types on the keyboard or if the printer is out of paper.
User management
The operating system allows you to set up different accounts for different users. This allows you to provide different access rights to each user helping to keep sensitive
information more secure and minimise the number of rights people have on the network. It also allows you to log the actions of users on the network.
File management
The operating system provides file management tools such as the ability to save and name files, create and name folders, allocate files to folders, as well as cut, copy and
paste them to move them around.