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Introduction to Resource Management
Resource Management is an HL-only topic. It deals with the various ways your computer handles the fact that system resources are limited. In this introduction we will focus on the types of resources a computer might manage and the consequences if they run out.
Common Resources and their roles
| Resource Type | What it does | Types of limits | What happens if it runs out or is low |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Memory | Stores the current state of applications | Amount of RAM, speed of RAM | Applications crash or, more likely, slow down as the computer uses slow secondary memory instead. |
| Cache | Speeds up primary memory significantly | Amount of cache, speed of cache | Slower access to apps |
| Secondary Storage | Stores data for long-term storage, such as documents or settings | Amount of secondary storage, speed of secondary storage | New files and applications cannot be created and installed |
| Processor (CPU) | Does most of the calculations that make a computer or application run | Number of cores, clock speed, instruction set | Applications will have to take turns and sometimes wait a long time before their next calculations can be done, resulting in slow or unresponsive devices |
| Network Bandwidth | Determines how much data can be transferred over a network | Speed, consistency | Network-based applications will be slower |
| Graphics Processor (GPU) | Does the calculations involved in generating and displaying graphics | Number of cores, amount of dedicated RAM, clock speed, instruction set | The frame rate of your computer may slow down, resulting in stuttering display |
Role of the Operating System
Every application running on a computer wants access to these resources. Managing who gets access when
is one of the primary roles of the operating system
Every computer, no matter how small or simple,
contains an operating system of some kind. Some examples of common operating systems are:
- Mac OS X
- Microsoft Windows
- Android OS
- iOS
- Tizen
- Linux
- BSD
The operating system is in charge of knowing what resources are available, what resources applications want, and finding the best way to distribute the limited resources among the apps.