What are key techniques in OS resource management?

Key techniques in OS resource management include scheduling, memory management, device management, and file system management.

Scheduling is a crucial technique in operating system resource management. It involves determining which processes in the system should run, when they should run, and how much CPU time they should be allocated. This is done through various scheduling algorithms such as First-Come-First-Serve (FCFS), Shortest Job Next (SJN), and Round Robin (RR). These algorithms aim to maximise CPU utilisation, throughput, and turnaround time, while minimising waiting time and response time.

Memory management is another key technique. It involves keeping track of each byte in a computer's memory and managing the allocation and deallocation of memory space to processes. Techniques used in memory management include paging, segmentation, and virtual memory. These techniques help to protect memory, share memory among processes, and efficiently use the available memory.

Device management is also a critical aspect of resource management. The operating system manages the interaction between the software and hardware of a computer. It controls and coordinates the use of hardware among the various system and application programs. Techniques used in device management include buffering, spooling, and device reservation. These techniques help to improve the overall performance and efficiency of the system.

Lastly, file system management is a technique used by the operating system to control how data is stored and retrieved. It involves managing the organisation, storage, retrieval, naming, sharing, and protection of files. The file system provides a way of organising files and directories on the storage devices, and manages access to them. Techniques used in file system management include indexing, hashing, and caching. These techniques help to improve the speed and efficiency of data access.

In conclusion, the operating system plays a crucial role in managing the resources of a computer system. It uses various techniques such as scheduling, memory management, device management, and file system management to ensure that the system operates efficiently and effectively.