What is an OS?

Photo by Devon Rogers on Unsplash

In this module, we'll be gaining an overview of the operating system and its purpose. We'll be referring to this framework throughout the semester, as we'll use it to organize the tasks of the operating system.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of the operating system, and how each of its roles supports that purpose. Explain why each evaluation criterium of the OS is appropriate and how it supports the user.
• As we approach later concepts, understand how they support the OS in its roles and overarching goals. Analyze how these concepts affect the evaluation criteria of the OS.

Learning

• Video: Purpose and Roles of the OS (11 minutes)
• Video: Evaluating the OS (15 minutes)
• Slides that were presented in the video
  

Note that these videos have embedded formative assessments---you'll want to watch the videos and complete those before class, so that you can earn participation credit.

Recommended Readings

Completing the readings in this class is highly recommended---it can be very helpful to see how the concepts are explained by a different person, and the extra details can help the pieces fit together.

OSTEP: Chapter 2, except Section 2.6

From Class

Slides (note the syllabus was later updated)

Evaluating Your Understanding

We are providing these rubrics for each module so that you can better understand what is expected and evaluate your understanding against those expectations. The hope is that, if you find yourself earning a 3 or below, you will continue to enhance your understanding until you find yourself earning a 4 or a 5.

Some of these rubrics are simpler than others---in particular, this first one is for a smaller module and therefore is simpler. Other rubrics will be more complex.