One set of operating-system services provides functions that are helpful to the user (Cont):
Communications – Processes may exchange information, on the same computer or between computers over a network
Communications may be via shared memory or through message passing (packets moved by the OS)
Error detection – OS needs to be constantly aware of possible errors
May occur in the CPU and memory hardware, in I/O devices, in user program
For each type of error, OS should take the appropriate action to ensure correct and consistent computing
Debugging facilities can greatly enhance the user’s and programmer’s abilities to efficiently use the system