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Computer Science (e) Application Programming OS design influences the development
Interfaces (APIs): These are sets
of software applications:
of instructions that allow software
(a) Resource Management: The OS
dictates how apps access resources
developers to create programs that
like memory, processing power,
interact with the OS and hardware.
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allows software applications to run
Design of an Operating System and storage. An efficient OS design
This provides the guiding principles of smoothly without competing for
how an OS is built to achieve specific limited resources.
goals. The following are some key OS (b) Security: The OS provides security
design principles: features that can be leveraged by
(a) Security: The OS should protect the software applications. A secure OS
computer from unauthorised access, helps developers build software
malware, and other threats. applications that are less vulnerable
to attacks.
(b) Stability: The OS should run
smoothly and reliably, avoiding (c) Application Programming
crashes or errors. Interfaces: The OS offers a set of
instructions that can be used by
(c) Performance: The OS should software application developers to
efficiently utilize system resources interact with the computer hardware
to provide a responsive experience. and other software components. A
(d) Usability: The OS should be user- well-designed API set makes it easier
friendly and easy to learn for people for developers to create powerful and
with varying technical skills. efficient software applications.
(d) Performance bottlenecks: An
Impact of operating system OS with limitations in memory
design on application system management, processing power
design and performance allocation, or inefficient device drivers
can create bottlenecks that slow down
An OS’s design significantly impacts software applications. For example,
how software application systems are modern operating systems are designed
designed and how they perform. An for multitasking, allowing users to
operating system (OS) is similar to a run multiple software applications
house’s foundation. A strong foundation simultaneously. This requires efficient
permits the construction of many resource management to ensure
structures (application software) on top smooth performance for all running
of it. However, a weak foundation may applications.
restrict what may be constructed and (e) Compatibility: A well-designed OS
how effectively it performs. Here is how ensures compatibility with various
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for Advanced Secondary Schools
Computer Science Form 5.indd 416 23/07/2024 12:34
