Unit VI

Operating system
An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the software and the
computer hardware.

An operating system (OS) is software that allows a user to run other applications on a
computing device. While it is possible for a software application to interface directly with
hardware, the vast majority of applications are written for an OS, which allows them to take
advantage of common libraries and not worry about specific hardware details.

The OS also provides services to facilitate the efficient execution and management of, and
memory allocations for, any additional installed software application programs.

The three most easily defined components are:

 Kernel: This provides basic-level control over all of the computer hardware devices.
Main roles include reading data from memory and writing data to memory, processing
execution orders, determining how data is received and sent by devices such as the
monitor, keyboard and mouse, and determining how to interpret data received from
networks.
 User Interface: This component allows interaction with the user, which may occur
through graphical icons and a desktop or through a command line.
 Application Programming Interfaces: This component allows application
developers to write modular code.

Examples for OSs include android, iOS, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux.

Some features/characteristics of Operating Systems are:

1. Memory Management
2. Batch Processing
3. Real Time Processing
4. Error Handling
5. File Utilities
6. Processor Management

Types of operating system

1. Batch Operating System

These types of operating system do not interact with the computer directly. There is
an operator which takes similar jobs having same requirement and group them into
batches. It is the responsibility of operator to sort the jobs with similar needs.
 Examples of Batch based Operating System: Payroll System, Bank Statements
etc.

2. Time-Sharing Operating Systems

Each task has given some time to execute, so that all the tasks work smoothly. Each
user gets time of CPU as they use single system. These systems are also known as
Multitasking Systems. The task can be from single user or from different users also.
The time that each task gets to execute is called quantum. After this time interval is
over OS switches over to next task.
Examples of Time-Sharing OSs are: Multics, Unix etc.

3. Distributed Operating System

These types of operating system is a recent advancement in the world of computer
technology and are being widely accepted all-over the world and, that too, with a
great pace. Various autonomous interconnected computers communicate each other
using a shared communication network. Independent systems possess their own
memory unit and CPU. These are referred as loosely coupled systems or distributed
systems. These systems processors differ in sizes and functions. The major benefit
of working with these types of operating system is that it is always possible that one
user can access the files or software which are not actually present on his system but
on some other system connected within this network i.e., remote access is enabled
within the devices connected in that network.
Examples of Distributed Operating System are- LOCUS etc.

4. Network Operating System

These systems runs on a server and provides the capability to manage data, users,
groups, security, applications, and other networking functions. These type of operating
systems allows shared access of files, printers, security, applications, and other
networking functions over a small private network. One more important aspect of
Network Operating Systems is that all the users are well aware of the underlying
configuration, of all other users within the network, their individual connections etc. and
that’s why these computers are popularly known as tightly coupled systems.

Examples of Network Operating System are: Microsoft Windows Server 2003,

Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, and BSD
etc.

5. Real-Time Operating System

These types of OSs serve the real-time systems. The time interval required to process
and respond to inputs is very small. This time interval is called response time.
Real-time systems are used when there are times requirements are very strict like
missile systems, air traffic control systems, robots etc.
Examples of Real-Time Operating Systems are: Scientific experiments, medical imaging
systems, industrial control systems, weapon systems, robots, air traffic control systems, etc.

Support for networking/network operating system

A network operating system (NOS) is a computer operating system that is designed

for network use.

Usually, a NOS is a complete operating system with file, task and job management.
A server-based network operating system provides networking support for multiple
simultaneous users, each with the ability to access network resources, as well as security and
other administrative functions.

Today, almost every consumer operating system qualifies as a NOS. This is in large part due
to the popularity of the Internet and the consequent need to support the Internet protocol
suite.

In a peer-to-peer network, such as Microsoft Windows 98 or XP, in which each host can also
be a server, the operating system might still be considered a network operating system, but it
is more light weight than a full-blown NOS.