The Scope of an Operating System: What's Included and Excluded?

When considering operating systems (OS), one crucial aspect often overlooked is their intended purpose or 'scope.' In other words, what exactly should a given OS be capable of handling? The answer might surprise you.

In the context of this article, we're focusing on personal computers rather than mainframe machines. For those unfamiliar with computing terminology:

- Operating System (OS): A set of instructions that manages computer hardware and software resources to provide common services for all application programs running on a particular platform.

The scope of an operating system refers to the range or extent of tasks it is designed to perform, including its primary functions as well as secondary features. In other words, what specific responsibilities does this OS have versus those left up to third-party software?

To better understand what falls within and outside the realm of a typical personal computer (PC) OS's scope:

- Included Tasks:

- Managing hardware components like CPU, RAM, Hard Drive etc.

- Handling file system operations such as reading/writing files & directories

- Providing basic input/output functions for peripherals like keyboard/mouse/printer

- Excluded Tasks:

- Graphics rendering (handled by graphics drivers or dedicated graphic cards)

- Audio processing and compression/decompression of audio formats

As an example, consider a popular operating system such as Microsoft Windows. While it provides many essential features out-of-the-box, certain advanced tasks are left for third-party software to handle:

- Image manipulation tools like Adobe Photoshop

- Video editing applications like Premiere Pro

These types of programs require significant resources and expertise that would detract from the primary function of an operating system – managing core computer functions.

In conclusion, understanding what is included or excluded within a particular OS's scope can save users frustration when trying to accomplish specific tasks. Always remember: 'the right tool for the job.

Mtty not decoding has scope