How are files, mass storage, and I/O handled in a modern OS?

 The OS controls file management and is organized into directories for efficient or easy navigation/usage.  A visual representation of this is:

Some modern types of mass storage are:

·         -Solid-state disks (SSD), Hard disks

·         -Internal/External hard drives

·         -Optical/tape/RAID/USB drives

·         -Magnetic Tapes

Modern hard disk drives are addressed as a large one-dimensional array of logical blocks, where the logical block is the smallest unit of transfer (Silberschatz 2014).  The one-dimensional array of logical blocks is mapped onto the sectors of the disk sequentially.  The mapping proceeds in order through that track, then though the rest of the tracks in that cylinder.

Input/Output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, touchscreen, and printer are a major part of the main functions of an OS.  Device drivers help the OS manage these I/O devices and instructions are stored in memory.  The control sends signals that determine the operation of other components and can command the data path, memory, and other instructions.  The OS can detect I/O devices and the interaction between the two uses a basic handshaking protocol.