An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user and computer hardware. An operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like file management, memory management, process management, handling input and output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. Some popular Operating Systems include Linux Operating System, Windows Operating System, VMS, OS/400, AIX, z/OS, etc.
What is an Operating System?
Have you ever wondered how the communication between a user and a system takes place? How system hardware can understand the instructions of a user? So, the answer to these questions is the Operating System. It translates the instructions given by the user in a high-level language to machine language, which a computer can understand. It acts as an intermediary between a user and computer hardware and provides an environment required to execute different programs efficiently.
Features of Operating Systems
All application such as games, MS office, Firefox requires a suitable environment to execute and perform their task. The operating system helps the user to interact with the system without knowing to work on with the computer language. It is mandatory to have at least one operating system to execute the programs and perform the task. So in simple, operating system is defined as the software that acts as a line between computer hardware and end-user for easy interaction to complete the task effectively.
Some important features of operating systems.
- Provides a platform for running applications
- Handles memory management and CPU scheduling
- Provides file system abstraction
- Provides networking support
- Provides security features
- Provides user interface
- Provides utilities and system services
- Supports application and development
- Batch OS
- Distributed OS
- Multitasking OS
- Network OS
- Real-Time OS
- Mobile OS
Batch OS is the first operating system for second-generation computers. This OS does not directly interact with the computer. Instead, an operator takes up similar jobs and groups them together into a batch, and then these batches are executed one by one based on the first-come, first, serve principle.
Advantages of Batch OS
- Managing large works becomes easy in batch systems.
- The idle time for a single batch is very less.
- Multiple users can share batch systems.
Disadvantages of OS
- If a job fails, then the other jobs have to wait for an unknown time till the issue is resolved.
- Batch systems are sometimes costly.
- Examples of Batch OS: payroll system, bank statements, data entry, etc.
A distributed operating system is a recent advancement in the field of computer technology and is utilized all over the world that too with great pace. In a distributed OS, various computers are connected through a single communication channel. These independent computers have their memory unit and CPU and are known as loosely coupled systems. The system processes can be of different sizes and can perform different functions. The major benefit of such a type of operating system is that a user can access files that are not present on his system but another connected system. In addition, remote access is available to the systems connected to this network.
Advantages
- Failure of one system will not affect the other systems because all the computers are independent of each other.
- The load on the host system is reduced.
- The size of the network is easily scalable as many computers can be added to the network.
- As the workload and resources are shared therefore the calculations are performed at a higher speed.
- Data exchange speed is increased with the help of electronic mail.
- The setup cost is high.
- Software used for such systems is highly complex.
- Failure of the main network will lead to the failure of the whole system.
- Examples of Distributed OS: LOCUS, etc.
Multitasking OS
The multitasking OS is also known as the time-sharing operating system as each task is given some time so that all the tasks work efficiently. This system provides access to a large number of users, and each user gets the time of CPU as they get in a single system. The tasks performed are given by a single user or by different users. The time allotted to execute one task is called a quantum, and as soon as the time to execute one task is completed, the system switches over to another task.
Advantages
- Each task gets equal time for execution.
- The idle time for the CPU will be the lowest.
- There are very few chances for the duplication of the software.
- Processes with higher priority cannot be executed first as equal priority is given to each process or task.
- Various user data is needed to be taken care of from unauthorized access.
- Sometimes there is a data communication problem.
- Examples of Multitasking OS: UNIX, etc.
Network OS
Network operating systems are the systems that run on a server and manage all the networking functions. They allow sharing of various files, applications, printers, security, and other networking functions over a small network of computers like LAN or any other private network. In the network OS, all the users are aware of the configurations of every other user within the network, which is why network operating systems are also known as tightly coupled systems.
Advantages
- New technologies and hardware can easily upgrade the systems.
- Security of the system is managed over servers.
- Servers can be accessed remotely from different locations and systems.
- The centralized servers are stable.
Disadvantages
- Server costs are high.
- Regular updates and maintenance are required.
- Users are dependent on the central location for the maximum number of operations.
- Examples of Network OS: Microsoft Windows server 2008, LINUX, etc.
Real-Time OS
Real-Time operating systems serve real-time systems. These operating systems are useful where many events occur in a short time or certain deadlines, such as real-time simulations. Types of real-time operating system.
- Hard real-time OS
- Soft real-time OS
Advantages
- It provides more output from all the resources as there is maximum utilization of systems.
- It provides the best management of memory allocation.
- These systems are always error-free.
- These operating systems focus more on running applications than those in the queue.
- Shifting from one task to another takes very little time.
Disadvantages
- System resources are extremely expensive and are not so good.
- The algorithms used are very complex.
- Only limited tasks can run at a single time.
- In such systems, we cannot set thread priority as these systems cannot switch tasks easily.
- Examples of Real-Time OS: Medical imaging systems, robots, etc.
Mobile OS
A mobile OS is an operating system for smartphones, tablets, and PDA’s. It is a platform on which other applications can run on mobile devices.
Advantages
- It provides an ease to users.
- Some of the mobile operating systems give poor battery quality to users.
- Some of the mobile operating systems are not user-friendly.
- Examples of the Mobile OS: Android OS, ios, Symbian OS, and Windows mobile OS.
Microsoft Windows
It is a series of graphical operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. The first version of Windows was released in 1985 as a GUI add-on to MS-DOS. The first version of Windows sold as a standalone operating system was Windows 95.
MacOS
It is a series of graphical operating systems developed by Apple Inc. It is the successor to Mac OS X, and it is the operating system that powers Apple’s Mac family of computers.
Linux
Linux is built around the Linux kernel and is a free and open-source software operating system. It is one of the most popular operating systems for servers and embedded devices. It is also used by millions of desktop users around the world.
Android
It is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is based on the Linux kernel and designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
iOS
Another example of a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. iOs is the successor to iPhone OS. It is an operating system that powers the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch products.
Advantages of Operating System
- Ensuring correct and efficient use of the computer’s hardware.
- Allowing different applications to run concurrently.
- Managing files and folders.
- Providing a user interface.
- Managing security.
- Managing resources.
- Managing printing.
- Providing a platform for software development.
Disadvantages of Operating System
- They can be complex and difficult to use.
- They can be expensive to purchase and maintain.
- They can be vulnerable to attack from malicious user
Functions of Operating System
Processor Management: An operating system manages the processor’s working by allocating various jobs to it and ensuring that each process receives enough time from the processor to function properly.
Memory Management: An operating system manages the allocation and deallocation of the memory to various processes and ensures that the other process does not consume the memory allocated to one process.
Device Management: There are various input and output devices. An operating system controls the working of these input-output devices. It receives the requests from these devices, performs a specific task, and communicates back to the requesting process.
File Management: An operating system keeps track of information regarding the creation, deletion, transfer, copy, and storage of files in an organized way. It also maintains the integrity of the data stored in these files, including the file directory structure, by protecting against unauthorized access.
Security: The operating system provides various techniques which assure the integrity and confidentiality of user data. Following security measures are used to protect user data:
Protection against unauthorized access through login.
Protection against intrusion by keeping Fireball active.
Protecting the system memory against malicious access.
Displaying messages related to system vulnerabilities.
Error Detection: From time to time, the operating system checks the system for any external threat or malicious software activity. It also checks the hardware for any type of damage. This process displays several alerts to the user so that the appropriate action can be taken against any damage caused to the system.
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