In this post operating system services as as resource manager. To manage the computer resources most effectively the operating system decides which program should run at what time, how much memory should be allocated for an execution of a program and operating system decide where to save the file so that disk space can be optimally utilized etc.

Services of operating system as a resource manager

Operating System Services As a Resource Manager

Following given are some of the important services performed by operating system as a resource manager.

Process Manager
Main Memory Management
File Management
Input / Output Management
Secondary Storage Management
Networking
Protection
Command Interpreter System

Process Management

In multiplexing environment operating system allows more than one application to run simultaneously.
This is a part of an operating system which manages the processes in such a way that system performance can be enhanced.
The OS deals with other types of activities also that includes user programs and systems like as printer spooling, virtual memory, swapping, etc.
The process is an activity that needs certain resources to complete its task.
Various computer resources are CPU time, main memory, and input / output devices.
These resources are allocation of resource and this decision is taken by process management implementing the process scheduling algorithms.
It is important to note that a process is not a program it is a activity.
There are many processes running the same program.
Operating system do five major activities in regard to process management are :

Certain and deletion of user and system processes.
Suspension and re-activation of processes.
A mechanism for process synchronization.
A mechanism for process communication.
A mechanism for deadlock handling.

Main Memory Management

Memory management is the most important part of an operating system that deals directly with both the primary memory and secondary memory.
The main memory provides the storage for a program that can be accessed directly by the CPU for it's exertion.
So, a program to be executed, the primary task of memory management is to load the program into main memory.
They are performs mainly two functions, these are :

Every process must have enough memory in which it has to execute.
Different locations of memory in the system must be used properly so that each and every process can run most effectively.

Operating system loads the instruction into main memory then picks up these instructions and makes a queue to get CPU time for its execution.
The memory manager tracks the available memory locations which one is execution. The memory manager tracks the available memory locations which one is available, which pages are required to swap between the main memory and secondary memory.
This type activity is referred as virtual memory management that increases the amount of memory available for each process.
Main memory management main functions are following :-

It keep track of which part of memory are currently being used and by whom.
It help to decide which processes should be loaded into memory when the memory space is free.
Allocate and deallocation memory spaces as and when required.

File Management

A file is a collection of related information defined by it's creator.
Computer can store files on the disk, which provide long term storage.
Examples of storage media are following:-

Magnetic Tape
Magnetic Disk
Optical Disk

Each of these media has it own properties like speed, capacity, data transfer rate and access methods.

File management activities are following :-
Creation of files/folders
Support of manipulating files/folders
Mapping of files onto secondary storage
Taking back up of files

Input/Output Management

Input/output device management is a part of an operating system that provides an environment for the better interaction between system and input/output devices.
To interact with input/output devices in an effective manner the operating system uses some special programs known as device driver.

Device drivers take the data that operating system has defined as a file and then translate them into streams of bits or a series of laser pulses.

Secondary Storage Management

Computer system ways of storage such as primary storage, secondary storage and cache storage, but primary storage and cache storage can not be used as a permanent storage because they are volatile memories and its data are lost when power is turned off.
The secondary storage management provides an easy access to file and folders placed on secondary storage using several disk scheduling algorithms.
The activities of an operating system in regard to secondary storage management are :

It managing the free space available on the secondary storage device
They also help allocation of storage space when new files have to be written.
Scheduling the requests for memory access.
Creation and deletion of files.

Networking

Operating system works as a network resource manager when multiple computers are in a network or in a distributed architecture.
Distributed system do not share memory, peripheral devices, or a clock , it is a collection of processors.
The processors communication with one another through communication lines called network.
This communication network design must consider routing and network strategies and the problems with network and security.

Protection

Protection is the most important feature of an operating system.
It helps to authenticate the users for an illegal access of data as well as system.
Operating system provides many types services for data and system security by the means of passwords, file permissions and data encryption.
Mainly computers are connected through a network or internet link, allowing the users for sharing their files accessing web sites and transferring their files over the network.
For these situations a high security is expected.

Command Interpreter System

Command interpreter system provide a interface of the operating system with the user.
The user commands which are executed by operating system.
Command interpreter system main function of a command interpreter is to get and execute the user specified command.
They command Interpreter is not a part of the kernel, since multiple command interpreters may be supported by an operating system, and they do not really need to turn in kernel mode.

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Operating system services as a resource manger | operating system