Consider the various definitions of operating system. Consider whether the operating system should include applications such as Web browsers And mail programs. Argue both that it should and that it should not, and support your answer.

Point. Applications such as web browsers and email tools are performing an increasingly important role in modern desktop computer systems. To fulfill this role, they should be incorporated as part of the operating system. By doing so, they can provide better performance and better integration with the rest of the system. In addition, these important applications can have the same look-and-feel as the operating system software.

Counterpoint. The fundamental role of the operating system is to manage system resources such as the CPU, memory, I/O devices, etc. In addition, it’s role is to run software applications such as web browsers and email applications. By incorporating such applications into the operating system, we burden the operating system with additional functionality. Such a burden may result in the operating system performing a less-than satisfactory job at managing system resources. In addition, we increase the size of the operating system thereby increasing the likelihood of system crashes and security violations.