Chapter 3 The Hardware Interface, I/O and communications

foil on Chapter 3 I/O

Device Management

* how are devices controlled by software?

* this is a function of the OS (WHY?)

too complex for user programs -> libraries?

can create device-independent I/O

must prevent interference between clients

* if clients are prevented from doing I/O (HOW?)

* they need a mechanism to request it (WHAT IS IT?)

* can create high-level virtual devices

e.g. stream I/O