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Types
Real-time
A real-time operating system is a multitasking operating system that aims at executing real-time
applications. The main object of real-time operating systems is their quick and predictable response to
events.
Multi-user vs. Single-user
A multi-user operating system allows multiple users to access a computer system concurrently. Time-
sharing system can be classified as multi-user systems as they enable a multiple user access to a computer
through the sharing of time. Single-user operating systems, as opposed to a multi-user operating system, are
usable by a single user at a time. Being able to have multiple accounts on a Windows operating system
does not make it a multi-user system. Rather, only the network administrator is the real user. But for a
Unix-like operating system, it is possible for two users to login at a time and this capability of the OS
makes it a multi-user operating system.
Multi-tasking vs. Single-tasking

When a single program is allowed to run at a time, the system is grouped under a single-tasking system,
while in case the operating system allows the execution of multiple tasks at one time, it is classified as a
multi-tasking operating system.
Distributed
A distributed operating system manages a group of independent computers and makes them appear to be a
single computer. The development of networked computers that could be linked and communicate with
each other, gave rise to distributed computing
Embedded
Embedded operating systems are designed to be used in embedded computer systems. They are designed to
operate on small machines like PDAs with less autonomy. They are able to operate with a limited number
of resources. They are very compact and extremely efficient by design. Windows CE and Minix 3
Examples of operating systems
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a family of proprietary operating systems most commonly used on personal computers. It is
the most common family of operating systems for the personal computer, with about 90% of the market share.[5][6][7]
Currently, the most widely used version of the Windows family is Windows XP,[8] released on October 25, 2001.
The newest version is Windows 7 for personal computers and Windows Server 2008 R2 for servers.
Unix and Unix-like operating systems@@@@@@1
Unix-like systems run on a wide variety of machine architectures. They are used heavily for servers in business, as
well as workstations in academic and engineering environments. Free Unix variants, such as GNU/Linux and BSD,
are popular in these areas.
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a line of partially proprietary graphical operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Apple
Inc., the latest of which is pre-loaded on all currently shipping Macintosh computers.
LUNIX @@@@2
Components
The components of an operating system all exist in order to make the different parts of a computer work together.
All software—from financial databases to film editors—needs to go through the operating system in order to use any
of the hardware, whether it be as simple as a mouse or keyboard or complex as an Internet connection.
User interface
Every computer that receives some sort of human input needs a user interface, which allows a person to interact with
the computer. While devices like keyboards, mice and touchscreens make up the hardware end of this task, the user
interface makes up the software for it. The two most common forms of a user interface have historically been the
Command-line interface, where computer commands are typed out line-by-line, and the Graphical user interface,
where a visual environment (most commonly with windows, buttons, and icons) is present.
Graphical user interfaces
Most of the modern computer systems support graphical user interfaces (GUI), and often include them.
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Program execution
Executing a program involves the creation of a process by the operating system. The kernel creates a process by
assigning memory and other resources, establishing a priority for the process (in multi-tasking systems), loading
program code into memory, and executing the program
Interrupts
Main article: Interrupt
Interrupts are central to operating systems, as they provide an efficient way for the operating syste m to interact with
and react to its environment. Interrupts provide a computer with a way of automatically saving local register
contexts, and running specific code in response to events. Even very basic computers support hardware interrupts,
and allow the programmer to specify code which may be run when that event takes place.
Utility software
Utility software is a kind of system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the
computer. A single piece of utility software is usually called a utility (abbr. util) or tool.
Most major operating systems come with several pre-installed utilities.
[edit] Utility software categories
• Disk storage utilities

• Disk defragmenters can detect computer files whose contents are broken across several locations on the
hard disk, and move the fragments to one location to increase efficiency.
• Disk checkers can scan the contents of a hard disk to find files or areas that are corrupted in some way, or
were not correctly saved, and eliminate them for a more efficiently operating hard drive.
• Disk cleaners can find files that are unnecessary to computer operation, or take up considerable amounts of
space. Disk cleaner helps the user to decide what to delete when their hard disk is full.
• Disk space analyzers for the visualization of disk space usage by getting the size for each folder (including
sub folders) & files in folder or drive. showing the distribution of the used space.
• Disk partitions can divide an individual drive into multiple logical drives, each with its own file system
which can be mounted by the operating system and treated as an individual drive.
• Backup utilities can make a copy of all information stored on a disk, and restore either the entire disk (e.g.
in an event of disk failure) or selected files (e.g. in an event of accidental deletion).
• Disk compression utilities can transparently compress/uncompress the contents of a disk, increasing the
capacity of the disk.
• File managers provide a convenient method of performing routine data management tasks, such as
deleting, renaming, cataloging, uncataloging, moving, copying, merging, generating and modifying data
sets.
• Archive utilities output a stream or a single file when provided with a directory or a set of files. Archive
utilities, unlike archive suites, usually do not include compression or encryption capabilities. Some archive
utilities may even have a separate un-archive utility for the reverse operation.
• System profilers provide detailed information about the software installed and hardware attached to the
computer.
• System monitors for monitoring resources and performance in a computer system.
• Anti-virus utilities scan for computer viruses.
• Hex editors directly modify the text or data of a file. These files could be data or an actual program.
• Data compression utilities output a shorter stream or a smaller file when provided with a stream or file.
• Cryptographic utilities encrypt and decrypt streams and files.
• Launcher applications provide a convenient access point for application software.
• Registry cleaners clean and optimize the Windows registry by removing old registry keys that are no
longer in use.
• Network utilities analyze the computer's network connectivity, configure network settings, check data
transfer or log events.
• Screensavers were desired to prevent phosphor burn-in on CRT and plasma computer monitors by
blanking the screen or filling it with moving images or patterns when the computer is not in use.
Contemporary screensavers are used primarily for entertainment or security.
BIOS
The BIOS software is built into the PC, and is the first code run by a PC when powered on ('boot firmware'). The
primary function of the BIOS is to load and start an operating system. When the PC starts up, the first job for the
BIOS is to initialize and identify system devices such as the video display card, keyboard and mouse, hard disk,
CD/DVD drive and other hardware. The BIOS then locates software held on a peripheral device (designated as a
'boot device'), such as a hard disk or a CD, and loads and executes that software, giving it control of the PC
A BIOS will also have a user interface (or UI for short). Typically this is a menu system accessed by pressing a
certain key on the keyboard when the PC starts. In the BIOS UI, a user can:
• configure hardware
• set the system clock
• enable or disable system components
• select which devices are eligible to be a potential boot device
• set various password prompts, such as a password for securing access to the BIOS UI functions itself and
preventing malicious users from booting the system from unauthorized peripheral devices.

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Multi-tasking vs. Single-tasking

Examples of operating systems

Unix and Unix-like operating systems@@@@@@1

Graphical user interfaces

Most major operating systems come with several pre-installed utilities.

[edit] Utility software categories

• Disk storage utilities

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