System resources, including memory and CPU time, are used by applications when launched. The operating system provides resources to handle applications, and if there isn’t enough memory, a swap file is used. Peripheral devices use interrupt requests to communicate with the motherboard, and each device has a specific channel. The operating system monitors resources to ensure efficient computer performance.
System resources are the parts within a computer that are available for use by the operating system and other applications. Most notable of system resources is the amount of memory in use, but CPU time should also be considered here. Every time an application is launched, the application will request memory from the operating system and a portion of CPU time to perform its function. For example, when a computer user launches the word processing application on the computer, he or she will click on the application’s icon and shortly after, the program will launch. During the time the user waits for the program to start, the operating system provides system resources to handle this application. It is essentially making room for it among other processes and applications that may be running at the time the program starts. When the word processor application starts, it sends a request to the operating system to provide the system resources necessary for its operation.
Depending on the amount of memory available, the application may open quickly or may open a little slower if less memory is available when the application starts. Sometimes there isn’t enough memory for an application to run right away, in which case the operating system recognizes a lack of system resources and will attempt to store some stuff in a swap file to allow more memory to be available for applications active .
The swap file acts as memory but is contained on the computer’s hard drive. When the RAM memory inside a computer fills up, the operating system will paginate (or write) things to the computer’s swap file, freeing up RAM memory for the programs in use. As the swap file continues to grow, it can fill up. This will cause the operating system to produce warning messages that the swap file or virtual memory is full, and the user will be prompted to close some programs to free up system resources, allowing the computer to run better. Many times, restarting your computer is the best way to alleviate these warning messages.
If a peripheral is needed, such as a printer or disk drive, the required hardware will send an interrupt request (IRQ) to the CPU. The IRQ is the signal that the peripheral device uses to let the CPU know it has to do something. Hardware resources are the memory and CPU time used when peripheral devices, such as printers, scanners, and modems are used. Whenever the user accesses one of these devices, the device sends a signal to the motherboard to stop the CPU so it can work. Once the required tasks have finished performing, the device again reports that it is complete. These signals are known as interrupt requests (IRQs), and each device has a specific channel or set of channels it can use to communicate with the motherboard. If all channels for a specified device are used, the device cannot work. Each IRQ channel can use only one device or have a device assigned to it in a computer system. This helps the motherboard know which devices it should expect on which IRQs. System resources are monitored by your computer’s operating system to ensure that your computer is running as efficiently as possible given the resources available at any one time.
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