L1-Intro-WhatWhy.pptxVIP

Introduction: Overview and HistoryInstructor: Hengming Zou, Ph.D.In Pursuit of Absolute Simplicity 求于至简，归于永恒ContentWhat is operating systemWhy study operating system?History of operating systemA Wise Man’s AnswerOnce upon a time, a boy asked a wise man:Can you tell if the bird I am holding behind is alive?If the answer is “yes”The boy will crunch the bird and show the dead birdIf the answer is “no”The boy will let the bird fly and laugh at the manA Wise Man’s AnswerBut the wise man would have no such foolishnessWhat is the wise man’s answer?“As you will”Philosophy of ComputerWhat is the defining property of computer?A calculating machine?A computation device?An artifactA human creation (vs. God creation)Computer science is therefore an artifact scienceArtifact vs. True ScienceArtifact science:Inexact, relativeOften derive from observation of human activitiesSubject to human discretionTrue science:Exact, absolute, no discretion is allowedDerive from study of nature (God-made)E.g. mathematics, physics, chemistryExample of Artifact ScienceStackExample of Artifact ScienceQueueExample of True ScienceE=MC2Computer Science as ArtifactOften there is no absolute right or wrongOnly better or worseThere take what I teach with a grain of saltThink creativelyYour solution may be better than mineThe Three QuestionsWhat is an operating system?Main functions of the OS?Why study OS?What Is an Operating System?Something very importantReally not much helpA software layer between hardware and applicationsWhat Is an Operating System?Application ProgramsVirtual machine interfaceOperating SystemPhysical machine interfaceHardwareWhat Is an Operating System?A program that manages the hardware resources and makes it easier to use by application by presenting nicer abstractions i.e. the virtual machineApplication programsSystem programsHardwareWhat Is an Operating System?OS hides complexity of underlying hardwareLayered architecturesBanking SystemAirline ReservationWeb BrowserCompilersEditors