Operating system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Operating system - Essay Example As a result, there is a need for a communication interface between the computer and the human users. Interfacing the peripheral with the CPU For the central system to function, it requires a number of peripheral units which helps the system to work. Such peripheral units include the memory, the hard drive etc. The processor also needs input and output devices such as the keyboard, the mouse and the monitor in order for it to be able to receive data and give data from the results of processing the raw data. All these resources need to be managed and that is where the operating system comes in. The operating system sits between these peripheral components and the central hardware (the processing unit) and regulates the way these units access and use the operating system. The operating system manages the application systems as well and acts as the intermediary between the applications which are not able to communicate directly with the computer hardware. Advantages of an operating syste m Multitasking and time sharing One of the greatest advantages of an operating system is the ability to multitask. Multitasking refers to the fact that the processor will be handling more than one process concurrently. This is done through time sharing and the operating system in any computing environment is very useful in determining which functions will be given which computing resources. Before the modern operating system architecture was developed in the 1950s and the early 1960s, computer processors only processed one process at a time (Meyler, Fuller and Joyner 584). The main disadvantage of processing one process at a time is that valuable processor time is lost every time there is a delay in data execution or memory access for that particular process. An operating system schedules the access of the processor of the computer and makes sure that the processor is busy throughout the uptime. Using complicated algorithms, the operating systems also determine which application or device to be given access to the processor. Based on how complicated a process is, it can be given preference or denied preference. The operating system also is able to determine which processes are critical and therefore gives them preference in order to avoid fatal errors. For instance, if a printer is asking for a timeslot in the processor, it may be given preference over other processes because delays in processing the printing data may lead to the whole process failing. In this regard, a computer operating system not only schedules processes but also acts as an error handling system which prevents the computer as well as the various processes from failing. Programmers don’t need to know the processor architecture One of advantages of operating systems is that programmers never have to worry about the architecture of a computer as long as they code programs which can be executed by the operating system. This also means that programs can be run in computers with different hardware architectures since the applications don’t have to communicate directly with the hardware (processor). In this regard, the operating system separates the functions of application developers from computer architects. The computer programmer does not have to understand the internal working of the computer because the operating system will do most of the communication between the applications developed by

Strategic Leadership In A Changing World Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategic Leadership In A Changing World - Essay Example The paradox that exists between the market environment and the resources that are available to the organization are evaluated by strategic leaders as a basis upon which they select the most appropriate model or strategy for the organization. The most important consideration however is the role of the strategy in allowing the organization to meet its objectives and goals in an effective and efficient manner. It is in line with this that this essay gives a critical analysis and discussion of the Gary Hamel and Michael Porter’s approaches to strategic management with an aim of illustrating how the circumstances within an organization and the market environment influences the choice of strategic managers for either of these approaches in their leadership role within illustrated organizations. The essay focuses on strategic management within the changing world which is characterized by a diverse workforce and application of information and communication technologies for competitive advantage and business success. According to the generic strategies for leadership and management that were proposed by Michael Porter, the attractiveness of a market is the core determinant of the profitability of an organization (Colvin, 2012, p. 70). It is in this regard therefore that strategic managers of companies which require internationalizing their business activities strategize for market entry modes for an attractive market with high demand and more business opportunities. Therefore Porter’s approach to strategic leadership is important in making market choices for expansion. For example the growth of Apple into a multinational company was motivated by strategic leadership which targeted the most attractive markets for their smart phones and Mac computers. Gobble, Petrick & Wright (2012, p. 63) however argue that in the selection of strategic markets, leaders must put into consideration of the resources available to the organizations such as capital for internati onal expansion of the business and the forces within the new market environment such as political, economic and social cultural factors. Porter, in his generic strategy further points out that the position of a company within a specific market or industry is the second most vital element that determines it profitability and performance (Pathak, 2012, p. 154). It is through effective strategic management and allocation of resources that leaders of an organization are able to enable them to become market leaders. For example effective strategic marketing which fits the changing market environment such as online marketing communication are applied by effective leaders to make their organization to climb the competitive ladders within the market or industry (Foss, 2006, p. 10). This can be illustrated by the market leadership of Coca-Cola within its world markets. This company achieved this leadership in the market through proper allocation of resources for marketing, innovation and mot ivational compensation of its workforce by its strategic leaders. Moreover the company invested in market research which allowed it to determine the characteristics of the market and the changing trends of business operations (Saeidinia, 2012, p. 7). It is through this that the company became a leader within the soft drink industry and as a result gaining from huge profits. Gary Hamel views strategy within any organization as a