a)      Stateany FIVE functions of the Operating System.                                                    [5]

Sure, here are five functions of an Operating System:

1. Process Management: The operating system manages processes in a system. It performs various tasks like process scheduling, process creation, process termination, and inter-process communication.

2. Memory Management: The operating system is responsible for managing the system’s memory. It keeps track of each byte in a system’s memory and whether it is free or being used.

3. File System Management: The operating system manages files and directories on the disk. It provides functions such as organization of files and folders, control access, navigation, etc.

4. Device Management: The operating system manages device communication via their respective drivers. It serves as an intermediary between your computer's hardware and software.

5. Security and Access Control: The operating system ensures that unauthorized users do not access the system. It provides security mechanisms to protect data and system’s resources from being damaged or unauthorized access.

These are just a few of the many functions an operating system performs.