lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Loaders Linkers

System Programming & Complier Construction (University of Mumbai)

StuDocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])
 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

System Programming
Loaders and Linkers

Introduction:
In this chapter we will understand the concept of linking and loading. As
discussed earlier the source program is converted to object program by
assembler. The loader is a program which takes this object program,
prepares it for execution, and loads this executable code of the source into
memory for execution.

Definition of Loader:
Loader is utility program which takes object code as input prepares it for
execution and loads the executable code into the memory. Thus loader is
actually responsible for initiating the execution process.

Functions of Loader:
The loader is responsible for the activities such as allocation, linking,
relocation and loading
1) It allocates the space for program in the memory, by calculating the
size of the program. This activity is called allocation.

2) It resolves the symbolic references (code/data) between the object

modules by assigning all the user subroutine and library subroutine
addresses. This activity is called linking.

3) There are some address dependent locations in the program, such

address constants must be adjusted according to allocated space, such
activity done by loader is called relocation.

4) Finally it places all the machine instructions and data of corresponding

programs and subroutines into the memory. Thus program now becomes
ready for execution, this activity is called loading.

Loader Schemes:
Based on the various functionalities of loader, there are various types of
loaders:
1) “compile and go” loader: in this type of loader, the instruction is read
line by line, its machine code is obtained and it is directly put in the main
memory at some known address. That means the assembler runs in one
part of memory and the assembled machine instructions and data is

1 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

directly put into their assigned memory locations. After completion of

assembly process, assign starting address of the program to the location
counter. The typical example is WATFOR-77, it’s a FORTRAN compiler
which uses such “load and go” scheme. This loading scheme is also
called as “assemble and go”.

Advantages:
• This scheme is simple to implement. Because assembler is placed at one
part of the memory and loader simply loads assembled machine
instructions into the memory.

Disadvantages:
• In this scheme some portion of memory is occupied by assembler which
is simply a wastage of memory. As this scheme is combination of
assembler and loader activities, this combination program occupies large
block of memory.
• There is no production of .obj file, the source code is directly converted
to executable form. Hence even though there is no modification in the
source program it needs to be assembled and executed each time, which
then becomes a time consuming activity.
• It cannot handle multiple source programs or multiple programs written
in different languages. This is because assembler can translate one source
language to other target language.
• For a programmer it is very difficult to make an orderly modulator
program and also it becomes difficult to maintain such program, and the
“compile and go” loader cannot handle such programs.
• The execution time will be more in this scheme as every time program
is assembled and then executed.

2 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

2) General Loader Scheme: in this loader scheme, the source program is

converted to object program by some translator (assembler). The loader
accepts these object modules and puts machine instruction and data in an
executable form at their assigned memory. The loader occupies some
portion of main memory.

Advantages:
• The program need not be retranslated each time while running it. This is
because initially when source program gets executed an object program
gets generated. Of program is not modified, then loader can make use of
this object program to convert it to executable form.
• There is no wastage of memory, because assembler is not placed in the
memory, instead of it, loader occupies some portion of the memory. And
size of loader is smaller than assembler, so more memory is available to
the user.
• It is possible to write source program with multiple programs and
multiple languages, because the source programs are first converted to
object programs always, and loader accepts these object modules to
convert it to executable form.

3 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

3) Absolute Loader: Absolute loader is a kind of loader in which

relocated object files are created, loader accepts these files and places
them at specified locations in the memory. This type of loader is called
absolute because no relocation information is needed; rather it is
obtained from the programmer or assembler. The starting address of
every module is known to the programmer, this corresponding starting
address is stored in the object file, then task of loader becomes very
simple and that is to simply place the executable form of the machine
instructions at the locations mentioned in the object file. In this
scheme, the programmer or assembler should have knowledge of
memory management. The resolution of external references or linking
of different subroutines are the issues which need to be handled by the
programmer. The programmer should take care of two things: first
thing is : specification of starting address of each module to be used. If
some modification is done in some module then the length of that
module may vary. This causes a change in the starting address of
immediate next . modules, its then the programmer's duty to make
necessary changes in the starting addresses of respective modules.
Second thing is ,while branching from one segment to another the
absolute starting address of respective module is to be known by the
programmer so that such address can be specified at respective JMP
instruction. For example
Line number
1 MAIN START 1000
. .
. .
. .
1 JMP 5000
16 STORE ;instruction at location 2000
END
4 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

1 SUM START 5000

2
20 JMP 2000
21 END
In this example there are two segments, which are interdependent. At line
number 1 the assembler directive START specifies the physical starting
address that can be used during the execution of the first segment MAIN.
Then at line number 15 the JMP instruction is given which specifies the
physical starting address that can be used by the second segment. The
assembler creates the object codes for these two segments by considering
the stating addresses of these two segments. During the execution, the
first segment will be loaded at address 1000 and second segment will be
loaded at address 5000 as specified by the programmer. Thus the problem
of linking is manually solved by the programmer itself by taking care of
the mutually dependant dresses. As you can notice that the control is
correctly transferred to the address 5000 for invoking the other segment,
and after that at line number 20 the JMP instruction transfers the control
to the location 2000, necessarily at location 2000 the instruction STORE
of line number 16 is present. Thus resolution of mutual references and
linking is done by the programmer. The task of assembler is to create the
object codes for the above segments and along with the information such
as starting address of the memory where actually the object code can be
placed at the time of execution. The absolute loader accepts these object
modules from assembler and by reading the information about their
starting addresses, it will actually place (load) them in the memory at
specified addresses.
The entire process is modeled in the following figure.

5 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Thus the absolute loader is simple to implement in this scheme-

l) Allocation is done by either programmer or assembler
2)Linking is done by the programmer or assembler
3)Resolution is done by assembler
4)Simply loading is done by the loader
As the name suggests, no relocation information is needed, if at all it is
required then that task can be done by either a programmer or assembler

Advantages:
1. It is simple to implement
2. This scheme allows multiple programs or the source programs written
different languages. If there are multiple programs written in different
languages then the respective language assembler will convert it to the
language and a common object file can be prepared with all the ad
resolution.
3. The task of loader becomes simpler as it simply obeys the instruction
regarding where to place the object code in the main memory.
4. The process of execution is efficient.

Disadvantages:
1. In this scheme it is the programmer's duty to adjust all the inter
segment addresses and manually do the linking activity. For that, it is
necessary for a programmer to know the memory management.
If at all any modification is done the some segments, the starting
addresses of immediate next segments may get changed, the programmer

6 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

has to take care of this issue and he needs to update the corresponding
starting addresses on any modification in the source.
Algorithm for absolute Loader
Input: Object codes and starting address of program segments.
Output: An executable code for corresponding source program. This
executable code is to be placed in the main memory
Method: Begin
For each program segment
do Begin
Read the first line from object module to
obtain information about memory location. The
starting address say S in corresponding object
module is the memory location where executale
code is to be placed.
Hence
Memory_location = S
Line counter = 1; as it is first line While (!
end of file)
For the curent object code
do Begin
1. Read next line
2. Write line into location S
3. S = S + 1
4. Line counter Line counter + 1

Subroutine Linkage: To understand the concept of subroutine

linkages, first consider the following scenario:
"In Program A a call to subroutine B is made. The subroutine B is not
written in the program segment of A, rather B is defined in some another
program segment C"
Nothing is wrong in it. But from assembler's point of view while
generating the code for B, as B is not defined in the segment A, the
assembler can not find the value of this symbolic reference and hence it
will declare it as an error. To overcome problem, there should be some
mechanism by which the assembler should be explicitly informed that
segment B is really defined in some other segment C. Therefore
whenever segment B is used in segment A and if at all B is defined in C,
then B must -be declared as an external routine in A. To declare such
subroutine as external, we can use the assembler directive EXT. Thus the
statement such as EXT B should be added at the beginning of the
segment A. This actually helps to inform assembler that B is defined
somewhere else. Similarly, if one subroutine or a variable is defined in
the current segment and can be referred by other segments then those
should be declared by using pseudo-ops INT. Thereby the assembler

7 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

could inform loader that these are the subroutines or variables used by
other segments. This overall process of establishing the relations between
the subroutines can be conceptually called a_ subroutine linkage.
For example
MAIN START
EXT B
.
.
.
CALL B
.
.
END
B START
.
.
RET
END
At the beginning of the MAIN the subroutine B is declared as external.
When a call to subroutine B is made, before making the unconditional
jump, the current content of the program counter should be stored in the
system stack maintained internally. Similarly while returning from the
subroutine B (at RET) the pop is performed to restore the program
counter of caller routine with the address of next instruction to be
executed.
Concept of relocations:
Relocation is the process of updating the addresses used in the address
sensitive instructions of a program. It is necessary that such a
modification should help to execute the program from designated area of
the memory.
The assembler generates the object code. This object code gets executed
after loading at storage locations. The addresses of such object code will
get specified only after the assembly process is over. Therefore, after
loading,
address of object code = Mere address of object code + relocation
constant.
There are two types of addresses being generated: Absolute address and,
relative address. The absolute address can be directly used to map the
object code in the main memory. Whereas the relative address is only
after the addition of relocation constant to the object code address. This
kind of adjustment needs to be done in case of relative address before
actual execution of the code. The typical example of relative reference is :
addresses of the symbols defined in the Label field, addresses of the data
which is defined by the assembler directive, literals, redefinable symbols.
8 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Similarly, the typical example of absolute address is the constants which

are generated by assembler are absolute.
The assembler calculates which addresses are absolute and which
addresses are relative during the assembly process. During the assembly
process the assembler calculates the address with the help of simple
expressions.
For example
LOADA(X)+5
The expression A(X) means the address of variable X. The meaning of
the above instruction is that loading of the contents of memory location
which is 5 more than the address of variable X. Suppose if the address of
X is 50 then by above command we try to get the memory location
50+5=55. Therefore as the address of variable X is relative A(X) + 5 is
also relative. To calculate the relative addresses the simple expressions
are allowed. It is expected that the expression should possess at the most
addition and multiplication operations. A simple exercise can be carried
out to determine whether the given address is absolute or relative. In the
expression if the address is absolute then put 0 over there and if address is
relative then put lover there. The expression then gets transformed to sum
of O's and l's. If the resultant value of the expression is 0 then expression
is absolute. And if the resultant value of the expression is 1 then the
expression is relative. If the resultant is other than 0 or 1then the
expression is illegal. For example:

In the above expression the A, Band C are the variable names. The
assembler is to c0l1sider the relocation attribute and adjust the object
code by relocation constant. Assembler is then responsible to convey the
information loading of object code to the loader. Let us now see how
assembler generates code using relocation information.
Direct Linking Loaders
The direct linking loader is the most common type of loader. This type of
loader is a relocatable loader. The loader can not have the direct access to
the source code. And to place the object code in the memory there are
two situations: either the address of the object code could be absolute

9 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

which then can be directly placed at the specified location or the address
can be relative. If at all the address is relative then it is the assembler who
informs the loader about the relative addresses.
The assembler should give the following information to the loader
1)The length of the object code segment
2) The list of all the symbols which are not defined 111 the current
segment but can be used in the current segment.
3) The list of all the symbols which are defined in the current segment but
can be referred by the other segments.
The list of symbols which are not defined in the current segment but can
be used in the current segment are stored in a data structure called USE
table. The USE table holds the information such as name of the symbol,
address, address relativity.
The list of symbols which are defined in the current segment and can be
referred by the other segments are stored in a data structure called
DEFINITION table. The definition table holds the information such as
symbol, address.
Overlay Structures and Dynamic Loading:
Sometimes a program may require more storage space than the available
one Execution of such program can be possible if all the segments are not
required simultaneously to be present in the main memory. In such
situations only those segments are resident in the memory that are
actually needed at the time of execution But the question arises what will
happen if the required segment is not present in the memory? Naturally
the execution process will be delayed until the required segment gets
loaded in the memory. The overall effect of this is efficiency of execution
process gets degraded. The efficiency can then be improved by carefully
selecting all the interdependent segments. Of course the assembler can
not do this task. Only the user can specify such dependencies. The inter
dependency of the segments can be specified by a tree like structure
called static overlay structures. The overlay structure contain multiple
root/nodes and edges. Each node represents the segment. The
specification of required amount of memory is also essential in this
structure. The two segments can lie simultaneously in the main memory if
they are on the same path. Let us take an example to understand the
concept. Various segments along with their memory requirements is as
shown below.

10 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Automatic Library Search:

Previously, the library routines were available in absolute code but now
the library routines are provided in relocated form that ultimately reduces
their size on the disk, which in turn increases the memory utilization. At
execution time certain library routines may be needed. Keeping track of
which library routines are required and how much storage is required by
these routines, if at all is done by an assembler itself then the activity of
automatic library search becomes simpler and effective. The library
routines can also make an external call to other routines. The idea is to
make a list of such calls made by the routines. And if such list is made
available to the linker then linker can efficiently find the set of required
routines and can link the references accordingly.
For an efficient search of library routines it desirable to store all the
calling routines first and then the called routines. This avoids wastage of
time due to winding and rewinding. For efficient automated search of
library routines even the dictionary of such routines can be maintained. A
table containing the names of library routines and the addresses where
they are actually located in relocatable form is prepared with the help of
translator and such table is submitted to the linker. Such a table is called
subroutine directory. Even if these routines have made any external calls
the -information about it is also given in subroutine directory. The linker
searches the subroutine directory, finds the address of desired library
routine (the address where the routine is stored in relocated form).Then
linker prepares a
load module appending the user program and necessary library routines
by doing the necessary relocation. If the library routine contains the
11 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

external calls then the linker searches the subroutine directory finds the
address of such external calls, prepares the load module by resolving the
external references. Linkage Editor: The execution of any program
needs four basic functionalities and those are allocation, relocation,
linking and loading. As we have also seen in direct linking loader for
execution of any program each time these four functionalities need to be
performed. But performing all these functionalities each time is time and
space consuming task. Moreover if the program contains many
subroutines or functions and the program needs to be executed repeatedly
then this activity becomes annoyingly complex .Each time for execution
of a program, the allocation, relocation linking and -loading needs to be
done. Now doing these activities each time increases the time and space
complexity. Actually, there is no need to redo all these four activities
each time. Instead, if the results of some of these activities are stored in a
file then that file can be used by other activities. And performing
allocation, relocation, linking and loading can be avoided each time. The
idea is to separate out these activities in separate groups. Thus dividing
the essential four functions in groups reduces the overall time complexity
of loading process. The program which performs allocation, relocation
and linking is called binder. The binder performs relocation, creates
linked executable text and stores this text in a file in some systematic
manner. Such kind of module prepared by the binder execution is called
load module. This load module can then be actually loaded in the main
memory by the loader. This loader is also called as module loader. If the
binder can produce the exact replica of executable code in the load
module then the module loader simply loads this file into the main
memory which ultimately reduces the overall time complexity. But in this
process the binder should knew the current positions of the main memory.
Even though the binder knew the main memory locations this is not the
only thing which is sufficient. In multiprogramming environment, the
region of main memory available for loading the program is decided by
the host operating system. The binder should also know which memory
area is allocated to the loading program and it should modify the
relocation information accordingly. The binder which performs the
linking function and produces adequate information about allocation and
relocation and writes this information along with the program code in the
file is called linkage editor. The module loader then accepts this rile as
input, reads the information stored in and based on this information about
allocation and relocation it performs the task of loading in the main
memory. Even though the program is repeatedly executed the linking is
done only once. Moreover, the flexibility of allocation and relocation
helps efficient utilization of the main memory.

12 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Direct linking: As we have seen in overlay structure certain selective

subroutines can be resident in the memory. That means it is not necessary
to resident all the subroutines in the memory for all the time. Only
necessary routines can be present in the main memory and during
execution the required subroutines can be loaded in the memory. This
process of postponing linking and loading of external reference until
execution is called dynamic linking. For example suppose the subroutine
main calls A,B,C,D then it is not desirable to load A,B,C and D along
with the main in the memory. Whether A, B, C or D is called by the main
or not will be known only at the time of execution. Hence keeping these
routines already before is really not needed. As the subroutines get
executed when the program runs. Also the linking of all the subroutines
has to be performed. And the code of all the subroutines remains resident
in the main memory. As a result of all this is that memory gets occupied
unnecessarily. Typically 'error routines' are such routines which can be
invoked rarely. Then one can postpone the loading of these routines
during the execution. If linking and loading of such rarely invoked
external references could be postponed until the execution time when it
was found to be absolutely necessary, then it increases the efficiency of
overhead of the loader. In dynamic linking, the binder first prepares a
load module in which along with program code the allocation and
relocation information is stored. The loader simply loads the main
module in the main memory. If any external ·reference to a subroutine
comes, then the execution is suspended for a while, the loader brings the
required subroutine in the main memory and then the execution process is
resumed. Thus dynamic linking both the loading and linking is done
dynamically. Advantages
1. The overhead on the loader is reduced. The required subroutine will be
load in the main memory only at the time of execution.
2. The system can be dynamically reconfigured.
Disadvantages The linking and loading need to be postponed until the
execution. During the execution if at all any subroutine is needed then the
process of execution needs to be suspended until the required subroutine
gets loaded in the main memory.
Bootstrap Loader: As we turn on the computer there is nothing
meaningful in the main memory (RAM). A small program is written and
stored in the ROM. This program initially loads the operating system
from secondary storage to main memory. The operating system then takes
the overall control. This program which is responsible for booting up the
system is called bootstrap loader. This is the program which must be
executed first when the system is first powered on. If the program starts
from the location x then to execute this program the program counter of
this machine should be loaded with the value x. Thus the task of setting
13 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

the initial value of the program counter is to be done by machine

hardware. The bootstrap loader is a very small program which is to be
fitted in the ROM. The task of bootstrap loader is to load the necessary
portion of the operating system in the main memory .The initial address
at which the bootstrap loader is to be loaded is generally the lowest (may
be at 0th location) or the highest location. .
Concept of Linking: As we have discussed earlier, the execution of
program can be done with the help of following steps
1. Translation of the program(done by assembler or compiler)
2. Linking of the program with all other programs which are needed for
execution. This also involves preparation of a program called load
module.
3. Loading of the load module prepared by linker to some specified
memory location.
The output of translator is a program called object module. The linker
processes these object modules binds with necessary library routines and
prepares a ready to execute program. Such a program is called binary
program. The "binary program also contains some necessary information
about allocation and relocation. The loader then load s this program into
memory for execution purpose.

Various tasks of linker are -

1. Prepare a single load module and adjust all the addresses and
subroutine references with respect to the offset location.
2. To prepare a load module concatenate all the object modules and adjust
all the operand address references as well as external references to the
offset location.

14 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

3. At correct locations in the load module, copy the binary machine

instructions and constant data in order to prepare ready to execute
module.
The linking process is performed in two passes. Two passes are necessary
because the linker may encounter a forward reference before knowing its
address. So it is necessary to scan all the DEFINITION and USE table at
least once. Linker then builds the Global symbol table with the help of
USE and DEFINITION table. In Global symbol table name of each
externally referenced symbol is included along with its address relative to
beginning of the load module. And during pass 2, the addresses of
external references are replaced by obtaining the addresses from global
symbol table.

15 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H.Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

(Operating System)

Introduction:

An operating system is a program that control the execution of

application programs and acts as an interface between the user of a
computer and the computer hardware.

• Operating system performs three functions:

1. Convenience: An as makes a computer more. convenient to use.
2. Efficiency: An as allows the computer system resources to be used in
an efficient manner.
3. Ability to evolve : An as should be constructed in such a way as to
permit the effective development, testing and introduction of new system
functions without at the same time interfaring with service .

Operating System as a User Interface:

• Every general purpose computer consists of the hardware, operating

system, system programs, application programs. The hardware consists of
memory, CPU, ALU, I/O devices, peripheral device and storage device.
System program consists of compilers, loaders, editors, as etc. The
application program consists of business program, database program.
• The Figure below shows the conceptual view of a computer system.

1 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Every computer must have an operating system to run other programs.

The operating system controls and co-ordinates the use of the hardware
among the various system programs and application program for a
various users. It simply provides an environment within which other
programs can do useful work.

• The operating system is a set of special programs that run on a

computer system that allow it to work properly. It performs basic tasks
such as recognizing input from the keyboard, keeping track of files and
directories on the disk, sending output to the display screen and
controlling a peripheral devices.
• OS is designed to serve two basic purposes :
1. It controls the allocation and use of the computing system's resources
among the various users and tasks.
2. It provides an interface between the computer hardware and the
programmer that simplifies and makes feasible for coding, creation,
debugging of application programs.

• The operating system must support the following tasks:

1. Provides the facilities to create, modification of program and data files
using an editor.
2. Access to the compiler for translating the user program from high level
language to machine language.
3. Provide a loader program to move the compiled program code to the
computer's memory for execution.
4. Provide routines that handle the details of I/O programming.

Operating System Services:

• An operating system provides services to programs and to the users of
those programs. It provides an environment for the execution of
programs. The services provided by one operating system is different
than other operating system.
• Operating system makes the programming task easier. The common
services
Provided by the operating system is listed below.
1. Program execution
2. I/O operation
3. File system manipulation
4. Communications
5. Error detection.
1. Program execution: Operating system loads a program into memory
and executes the program. The program must be able to end its execution,
either normally or abnormally.
2 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

2. I/O operation: I/O means any file or any specific I/O device. Program
may require any I/O device while running. So operating system must
provide the required I/O.
3. File system manipulation: Program needs to read a file or write a file.
The operating system gives the permission to the program for operation
on file.
4. Communication: Data transfer between two processes is required for
some time. The both processes are on the one computer or on different
computer but connected through computer network. Communication may
be implemented by two methods: shared memory and message passing.
5. Error detection: Error may occur in CPU, in I/O devices or in the
memory hardware. The operating system constantly needs to be aware of
possible errors. It should take the appropriate action to ensure correct and
consistent computing.
Operating system with multiple users provides following services.

1. Resource allocation

2. Accounting

3. Protection •

Figure below shows the view of OS with components.

• An operating system is a lower level of software that user programs run

on.

3 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

OS is built directly on the hardware interface and provides an interface

between the hardware and the user program. It shares characteristics 'with
both software and hardware.

• We can view an operating system as a resource allocator.

OS keeps track of the status of each resource and decides who gets a
resource, for how long, and when. as makes sure that different programs
and users running at the same time but do not interfere with each other. It
is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not
access the system.
• The primary objective of operating systems is to increase productivity
of a processing resource, such as computer hardware or users.
• The operating system is the first program nm on a computer when the
computer boots up. The services of the as are invoked with a system call
instruction that is used just like any other hardware instruction.
• Name of the operating systems are: DOS, Windows 95, Windows
NT/2000, Unix, Linux etc.

Operating System as Resource Manager

• A computer is a set of resources for the movement, storage and
processing of data and for the control of these functions. The as is
responsible for managing these resources.
• Figure below shows as a resource manager.

4 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• Main resources that are managed by the operating system. A portion of

the operating system is in main memory. This includes the Kernel, which
contains the most frequently used functions in the operating system and at
a given time, other portions of the OS currently in use.
• The remainder of main memory contains other user programs and data.
The allocation of main memory is controlled jointly by the OS and
memory management hardware in the processor.
• The operating system decides when an I/O device can be used by a
program in execution and controls access to and use of files. The
processor itself is a resource, and the operating system must determine
how much processor time is to be devoted to the execution of a particular
user program.

History of Operating System

• Operating systems have been evolving through the years. Following
table shows the history of OS.

Mainframe System: An operating system may process its workload

serially or concurrently. That is resources of the computer system may be
dedicated to a single program until its completion, or they may be
dynamically reassigned among a collection of active programs in
different stages of execution.
• Several variations of both serial and multiprogrammed operating
systems exist.
Characteristics of mainframe systems
1. The first computers used to tackle various applications and still found
today in corporate data centers.
2. Room-sized, high I/O capacity, reliability, security, technical support.
3. Mainframes focus on I/O bound business data applications.

5 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Mainframes provide three main functions:

a. Batch processing: insurance claims, store sales reporting, etc.
b. Transaction processing: credit card, bank account, etc.
c. Time-sharing: multiple users querying a database.

Batch Systems
• Some computer systems only did one thing at a time. They had a list of
instructions to carry out and these would be carried out one after the
other. This is called a serial system. The mechanics of development and
preparation of programs in such environments are quite slow and
numerous manual operations involved in the process.
• Batch operating system is one where programs and data are collected
together in a batch before processing starts. A job is predefined sequence
of commands, programs and data that are combined into a single unit
called job.

• Figure below shows the memory layout for a simple batch system.

Memory management in batch system is very simple. Memory is usually

divided into two areas: Operating system and user program area.
• Scheduling is also simple in batch system. Jobs are processed in the
order of submission i.e. first come first served fashion.
• When a job completes execution, its memory is released and the output
for the job gets copied into an output spool for later printing.
• Spooling an acronym for simultaneous peripheral operation on line.
Spooling uses the disk as a large buffer for outputting data to printers and
other devices. It can also be used for input, but is generally used for
output. Its main use is to prevent two users from alternating printing lines
to the line printer on the same page, getting their output completely
mixed together. It also helps in reducing idle time and overlapped I/O and
CPU.

6 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• Batch system often provides simple forms of file management. Access

·to file is serial. Batch systems do not require any time critical device
management.
• Batch systems are inconvenient for users because users can not interact
with their jobs to fix problems. There may also be long turnaround times.
Example of this system is generating monthly bank statement.

Spooling:
• Acronym for simultaneous peripheral operations on line. Spooling
refers to putting jobs in a buffer, a special area in memory or on a disk
where a device can access them when it is ready.
• Spooling is useful because device access data at different rates. The
buffer provides a waiting station where data can rest while the slower
device catches up.

Figure below shows the spooling.

• Computer can perform I/O in parallel with computation, it becomes

possible to have the computer read a deck of cards to a tape, drum or disk
and to write out to a tape printer while it was computing. This process is
called spooling.
• The most common spooling application is print spooling. In print
spooling, documents are loaded into a buffer and then the printer pulls
them off the buffer at its own rate.
• Spooling is also used for processing data at remote sites. The CPU
sends the data via communications path to a remote printer. Spooling
overlaps the I/O of one job with the computation of other jobs.

7 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• One difficulty with simple batch systems is that the computer still needs
to read the deck of cards before it can begin to execute the job. This
means that the CPU is idle during these relatively slow operations.
• Spooling batch systems were the first and are the simplest of the
multiprogramming systems.

Advantages of Spooling:
1. The spooling operation uses a disk as a very large buffer.
2. Spooling is however capable of overlapping I/O operation for one job
with processor operations for another job.

Advantages of Batch System:

1. Move much of the work of the operator to the computer.
2. Increased performance since it was possible for job to start as soon as
the previous job finished.

Disadvantages of Bach System:

1. Turn around time can be large from user standpoint.
2. Difficult to debug program.
3. A job could enter an infinite loop.
4. A job could corrupt the monitor, thus affecting pending jobs.
5. Due to lack of protection scheme, one batch job can affect pending
jobs.

Multiprogramming Operating System: When two or more programs

are in memory at the same time, sharing the processor is referred to the
multiprogramming operating system. Multiprogramming assumes a
single processor that is being shared. It increases CPU utilization by
organizing jobs so that the CPU always has one to execute.

Figure below shows the memory layout for a multiprogramming system.

8 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• The operating system keeps several jobs in memory at a time. This set
of jobs is a subset of the jobs kept in the job pool. The operating system
picks and begins to execute one of the job in the memory.
• Multiprogrammed systems provide an environment in which the
various system resources are utilized effectively, but they do not provide
for user interaction with the computer system.
• Jobs entering into the system are kept into the memory. Operating
system picks the job and begins to execute one of the jobs in the memory.
Having several programs in memory at the same time requires some form
of memory management.
• Multiprogramming operating system monitors the state of all active
programs and system resources. This ensures that the CPU is never idle
unless there are no jobs.

Advantages
1. High CPU utilization.
2. It appears that many programs are allotted CPU almost simultaneously.

Disadvantages
1. CPU scheduling is required.
2. To accommodate many jobs in memory, memory management is
required.

Time Sharing Systems:

• Time sharing system supports interactive users. Time sharing is also
called multitasking. It is logical extension of multiprogramming. Time
sharing system uses CPU scheduling and multiprogramming to provide
an economical interactive system of two or more users.
• In time sharing, each user is given a time-slice for executing his job in
round-robin fashion. Job continues until the time-slice ends.
• Time sharing systems are more complex than multiprogramming
operating system. Memory management in time sharing system provides
for isolation and protection of co-resident programs.
• Time sharing uses medium-term scheduling such as round-robin for the
foreground. Background can use a different scheduling technique.
• Time sharing system can run several programs at the same time, so it is
also a multiprogramming system. But multiprogramming operating
system is not a time sharing system.
• Difference between both the systems is that, time sharing system allows
more frequent context switches. This gives each user the impression that
the entire computer is dedicated to his use. In multiprogramming system a
context switch occurs only when the currently executing process stalls for
some reason.
9 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Desktop System: During the late 1970, computers had faster CPU, thus
creating an even greater disparity between their rapid processing speed
and slower I/O access time. Multiprogramming schemes to increase CPU
use were limited by the physical capacity of the main memory, which was
a limited resource and very expensive. These system includes PC running
MS window and the Apple Macintosh. The Apple Macintosh OS support
new advance hardware i.e. virtual memory and multitasking with virtual
memory, the entire program did not need to reside in memory before
execution could begin.

• Linux, a unix like OS available for PC, has also become popular
recently. The microcomputer was developed for single users in the late
1970. Physical size was smaller than the minicomputers of that time,
though larger than the microcomputers of today.
• Microcomputer grew to accommodate software with large capacity and
greater speeds. The distinguishing characteristics of a microcomputer is
its single user status. MS-DOS is an example of a microcomputer
operating system.
• The most powerful microcomputers used by commercial; educational,
government enterprises. Hardware cost for microcomputers are
sufficiently low that a single user (individuals) have sole use of a
computer. Networking capability has been integrated into almost every
system.

Multiprocessor System:
• Multiprocessor system have more than one processor in close
communication. They share the computer bus, system clock and input-
output devices and sometimes memory. In multiprocessing system, it is
possible for two processes to run in parallel.
• Multiprocessor systems are of two types: symmetric multiprocessing
and asymmetric multiprocessing.
• In symmetric multiprocessing, each processor runs an identical copy of
the operating system and they communicate with one another as needed.
All the CPU shared the common memory.

Figure below shows the symmetric multiprocessing system.

10 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• In asymmetric multiprocessing, each processor is assigned a specific

task. It uses master-slave relationship. A master processor controls the
system. The master processor schedules and allocates work to the slave
processors.

Figure below shows the asymmetric multiprocessor.

Features of multiprocessor systems

1. If one processor fails, then another processors should retrive the
interrupted process state so that executation of the process can continue.
2. The processors should support efficient context switching operation.
3. Multiprocessor system supports large physical address space & large
virtual address space.
4. The IPC mechanism should be provided & implemented in hardware as
it becomes efficient & easy.

Distributed System: Distributed operating systems depend on

networking for their operation. Distributed as runs on and controls the
resources of multiple machines. It provides resource sharing across the
boundaries of a single computer system. It looks to users like a single
machine as. Distributing as owns the whole network and makes it look
like a virtual uniprocessor or may be a virtual multiprocessor.
• A distributed operating system is one that looks to its users like an
ordinary operating system but runs on multiple, independent CPU.

Advantages of distributed OS:

1. Resource sharing: Sharing of software resources such as software
libraries, database and hardware resources such as hard disks, printers and
CDROM can also be done in a very effective way among all the
computers and the users.
2. Higher reliability: Reliability refers to the degree of tolerance against
errors and component failures. Availability is one of the important aspect
11 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

of reliability. Availability refers to the fraction of time for which a system

is available for use. Availability of a hard disk can be increased by having
multiple hard disks located at different sites. If one hard disk fails or is
unavailable, the program can use some other hard disk.
3. Better price performance ratio. Reduction in the price of
microprocessor and increasing computing power gives good price-
performance ratio.
4. Shorter responses times and higher throughput.
5. Incremental growth: To extend power and functionality of a system by
simply adding additional resources to the system.

Difficulties in distributed OS are:

1. There are no current commercially successful examples.
2. Protocol overhead can dominate computation costs.
3. Hard to build well.
4. Probably impossible to build at the scale of the Internet.

Cluster System:
• It is a group of computer system connected with a high speed
communication link. Each computer system has its own memory and
peripheral devices. Clustering is usually performed to provide high
availability. Clustered systems are integrated with hardware cluster and
software cluster. Hardware cluster means sharing of high performance
disks. Software cluster is in the form of unified control of the computer
system in a cluster.
• A layer of software cluster runs on the cluster nodes. Each node can
monitor one or more of the others. If the monitoring machine fails, the
monitoring machine can take ownership of its storage and restart the
application that were running on the failed machine.
• Clustered system can be categorized into two groups: asymmetric
clustering and symmetric clustering.
• In asymmetric clustering, one machine is in hot standy mode while the
other is running the applications. Hot standy mode monitors the active
server and sometimes becomes the active server when the original server
fails.
• In symmetric clustering mode, two or more than two hosts are running
applications and they are monitoring each other.
• Parallel clusters and clustering over a WAN is also available in
clustering.
Parallel clusters allow multiple hosts to access the same data on the
shared storage. A cluster provides all the key advantages of distributed
systems. A cluster provides better reliability than the symmetrical
multiprocessor system.

12 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• Cluster technology is rapidly changing. Clustered system use and

features should expand greatly as storage area networks. Storage area
network allows easy attachment of multiple hosts to multiple storage
units.

Real Time System:

• Real time systems which were originally used to control autonomous
systems such as satellites, robots and hydroelectric dams. A real time
operating system is one that must react to inputs and responds to them
quickly. A real time system cannot afford to be late with a response to an
event.
• A real time system has well defined, fixed time constraints.
Deterministic scheduling algorithms are used in real time systems. Real
time systems are divided into two groups :
Hard real time system and soft real time system.

• A hard real time system guarantees that the critical tasks be completed
on time. This goal requires that all delay in the system be bounded. Soft
real time system is a less restrictive type. In this, a critical r.eal time task
gets priority over other tasks, and retains that priority until it completes.
• Real time operating system uses priority scheduling algorithm to meet
the response requirement of a real time application.
• General real time applications with some examples are listed below.

• Memory management in real time system is comparatively less

demanding than in other types of multiprogramming systems. Time-
critical device management is one of the main characteristics of real time
systems. The primary objective of file management in real time system is
usually speed of access, rather than efficient utilization of secondary
storage.

13 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Comparison between Hard and Soft Real Time System

• Hard real time system guarantees that critical tasks complete on time.
To achieve this, all delays in the system must be bounded i.e. the retrieval
of stored data to the time that it takes the operating system to finish any
request made of it. Soft real time system are less restrictive than the hard
real time system. In soft real time, a critical real time task gets priority
over other tasks and retains that priority until it complete.
• Time constraints are the main properties for the hard real time systems.
Since none of the operating system support hard real time system, Kernal
delays need to be bounded in soft real time system. Soft real time systems
are useful in the area of multimedia, virtual reality and advance scientific
projects. Soft real time systems can not be used in -robotics and industrial
control because of their lack of deadline support. Soft real time system
requires two conditions to implement. CPU scheduling must be priority
based and dispatch latency must be small.

Handheld System:
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) is one type of handheld systems.
Developing such device is the complex job and many challenges will face
by developers. Size of these system is small i.e. height is 5 inches and
width is 3 inches.
• Due to the limited size, most handheld devices have a small amount of
memory, include slow processors and small display screen. Memory of
handheld system is in the range of 512 kB to 8 MB. Operating system and
applications must manage memory efficiently. This includes returning all
allocated memory back to the memory manager once the memory is no
longer needed. Developers are working only on confines of limited
physical memory because any handheld devices not using virtual
memory.
• Speed of the handheld system is major factor. Faster processors require
for handheld systems. Processors for most handheld devices often run at a
fraction of the speed of a processor in a Pc. Faster processors require
more power. Larger battery requires for faster processors.
• For mimimum size of handheld devices, smaller, slower processors
which consumes less power are used. Typically small display screen is
available in these devices. Display size of handheld device is not more
than 3 inches square.
• At the same time, display size of monitor is up to 21 inches. But these
handheld device provides the facility for reading email, browsing web
pages on smaller display. Web clipping is used for displaying web page
on the handheld devices.

14 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• Wireless technology is also used in handheld devices. Bluetooth

protocol is used for remote access to email and web browsing. Cellular
telephones with connectivity to the Internet fall into this category.

Computing Environments:
• Different types of computing environments are:
a.Traditional computing
b.Web based computing
c. Embedded computing

• Typical office environment uses traditional computing. Normal PC is

used in traditional computing.
• Web technology also uses traditional computing environment. Network
computers are essentially terminals that understand web based
computing. In domastic application, most of user had a single computer
with Internet connection. Cost of the accessing Internet is high.
• Web based computing has increased the emphasis on networking. Web
based computing uses PC, handheld PDA and cell phones. One of the
features of this type is load balancing. In load balancing, network
connection is distributed among a pool of similar servers.
• Embedded computing uses realtime operating systems. Application of
embedded computing is car engines, manufacturing robots to VCR and
microwave ovens. This type of system provides limited features.

Essential Properties of the Operating System

1. Batch: Jobs with similar needs are batched together and run through
the computer as a group by an operator or automatic job sequencer.
Performance is increased by attempting to keep CPU and I/O devices
busy at all times through buffering, off line operation, spooling and
multiprogramming. A Batch system is good for executing large jobs that
need little interaction, it can be submitted and picked up latter.

2. Time sharing: Uses CPU scheduling and multiprogramming to

provide economical interactive use of a system. The CPU switches
rapidly from one user to another i.e. the CPU is shared between a number
of interactive users. Instead of having a job defined by spooled card
images, each program reads its next control instructions from the terminal
and output is normally printed immediately on the screen.

15 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

3. Interactive: User is on line with computer system and interacts with it

via an interface. It is typically composed of many short transactions
where the result of the next transaction may be unpredictable. Response
time needs to be short since the user submits and waits for the result.

4.Real time system: Real time systems are usually dedicated, embedded
systems. They typically read from and react to sensor data. The system
must guarantee response to events within fixed periods of time to ensure
correct performance.

5. Distributed: Distributes computation among several physical

processors. The processors do not share memory or a clock. Instead, each
processor has its own local memory. They communicate with each other
through various communication lines.

System Components: Modern operating systems share the goal of

supporting the system components. The system components are:
1. Process management
2. Main memory management
3. File management
4. Secondary storage management
5. I/O system management
6. Networking
7. Protection system
8. Command interpreter system.

Process Management
• Process refers to a program in execution. The process abstraction is a
fundamental operating system mechanism for management of concurrent
program execution. The operating system responds by creating a process.
• A process needs certain resources, such as CPU time, memory, files and
I/O devices. These resources are either given to the process when it is
created or allocated to it while it is running.
• When the process terminates, the operating system will reclaim any
reusable resources.
• The term process refers to an executing set of machine instructions.
Program by itself is not a process. A program is a passive entity.
• The operating system is responsible for the following activities of the
process management.
1. Creating and destroying the user and system processes.
2. Allocating hardware resources among the processes.
3. Controlling the progress of processes.

16 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

4. Providing mechanisms for process communications.

5. Also provides mechanisms for deadlock handling.

Main Memory Management

• The memory management modules of an operating system are

concerned with the management of the primary (main memory) memory.
Memory management is concerned with following functions:
1. Keeping track of the status of each location of main memory. i.e. each
memory location is either free or allocated.
2. Determining allocation policy for memory.
3. Allocation technique i.e. the specific. location must be selected and
allocation information updated.
4. Deallocation technique and policy. After deallocation, status
information must be updated.

• Memory management is primarily concerned with allocation of

physical memory of finite capacity to requesting processes. The overall
resource utilization and other performance criteria of a computer system
are affected by performance of the memory management module. Many
memory management schemes are available and the effectiveness of the
different algorithms depends on the particular situation.

File Management
• Logically related data items on the secondary storage are usually
organized into named collections called files. In short, file is a logical
collection of information. Computer uses physical media for storing the
different information.
• A file may contain a report, an executable program or a set of
commands to the operating system. A file consists of a sequence of bits,
bytes, lines or records whose meanings are defined by their creators. For
storing the files, physical media (secondary storage device) is used.
• Physical media are of different types. These are magnetic disk,
magnetic tape and optical disk. All the media has its own characteristics
and physical organization. Each medium is controlled by a device.
• The operating system is responsible for the following in connection
with file management.

1. Creating and deleting of files.

2. Mapping files onto secondary storage.
3. Creating and deleting directories.
4. Backing up files on stable storage media.

17 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

5. Supporting primitives for manipulating files and directories.

6. Transmission of file elements between main and secondary storage.
• The file management subsystem can be implemented as one or more
layers of the operating system.

Secondary Storage Management

• A storage device is a mechanism by which the computer may store
information in such a way that this information may be retrieved at a later
time. Secondary storage device is used for storing all the data and
programs. These programs and data access by computer system must be
kept in main memory. Size of main memory is small to accommodate all
data and programs. It also lost the data when power is lost. For this reason
secondary storage device is used. Therefore the proper management of
disk storage is of central importance to a computer system.
• The operating system is responsible for the following activities in
connection with the· disk management.

1. Free space management

2. Storage allocation
3. Disk scheduling

• The entire speed and performance of a computer may hinge on the

speed of the disk subsystem.

I/O System Management :

The module that keeps track of the status of devices is called the I/O
traffic controller. Each I/O device has a device handler that resides in a
separate process associated with that device.
• The I/O subsystem consists of
1. A memory management component that includes buffering, caching
and spooling.
2. A general device driver interface.
3. Drivers for specific hardware devices.

Networking: Networking enables computer users to share resources and

speed up computations. the processors communicate with one another
through various communication lines. For example, a distributed system.
A distributed system is a collection of processors. Each processor has its
own local memory and clock. The processors in the system are connected
through a communication network, which can be configured in a number
of different ways.

18 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• Following parameter are considered while designing the networks.

1. Topology of network
2. Type of network
3. Physical media
4. Communication protocols
5. Routing algorithm.

Protection System:
• Modern computer systems support many users and allow the concurrent
execution of multiple processes. Organizations rely on computers to store
information. It is necessary that the information and devices must be
protected from unauthorised users or processors. The protoction is any
mechanism for controlling the access of programs, processes or users to
the resources defined by a computer system.
• Protection mechanisms are implemented in operating systems to
support various security policies. The goal of the security system is to
authenticate subjects and to authorise their access to any object.
• Protection can improve reliability by detecting latent errors at the
interfaces between compoent subsystems. Protection domains are
extensions of the hardware supervisor mode ability

Command Interpreter System:

• Command interpreter is the interface between user and the operating
system. It is system programs for an operating system.
Command interpreter is a special program in Unix and MS-DOS
operating system.
• When users login first time or when a job is initiated, the command
interpreter is initially some operating system is included in the Kernel. A
control statement is processed by the command interpreter. Command
interpreter reads the control statement, analyses it and carries out the
required action.

Operating System Services:

• An operating system provides services to programs and to the users of
those programs. It provides an environment for the execution of
programs. The services provided by one operating system is different
than other operating system. Operating system makes the programming
task easier.
• The common services provided by the operating system is listed below.
1. Program execution

19 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

2. I/O operation
3. File system manipulation
4. Communications
5. Error detection.

1. Program execution: Operating system loads a program into memory

and executes the program. The program must be able to end its execution,
either normally or abnormally.

2. I/O Operation: I/O means any file or any specific I/O device. Program
may require any I/O device while running. So operating system must
provide the required I/O.

3. File system manipulation: Program needs to read a file or write a file.

The operating system gives the permission to the program for operation
on file.

4. Communication: Data transfer between two processes is required for

some time. The both processes are on the one computer or on different
computer but connected through computer network. Communication may
be implemented by two methods : shared memory and message passing.

5. Error detection: Error may occur in CPU, in I/O devices or in the

memory hardware. The operating system constantly needs to be aware of
possible errors. It should take the appropriate action to ensure correct and
consistent computing.

• Operating system with multiple users provides following services.

1. Resource allocation
2. Accounting
3. Protection

A) Resource allocation:
If there are more than one user or jobs running at the same time, then
resources must be allocated to each of them. Operating system manages
different types of resources. Some resources require special allocation
code, i.e., main memory, CPU cycles and file storage.
• There are some resources which require only general request and
release code. For allocating CPU, CPU scheduling algorithms are used
for better utilization of CPU. CPU scheduling routines consider the speed
of the CPU, number of available registers and other required factors.

20 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

B) Accounting:
• Logs of each user must be kept. It is also necessary to keep record of
which user uses how much and what kinds of computer resources. This
log is used for accounting purposes.
• The accounting data may be used for statistics or for the billing. It also
used to improve system efficiency.

C) Protection:
• Protection involves ensuring that all access to system resources is
controlled.
Security starts with each user having to authenticate to the system,
usually by means of a password. External I/O devices must be also
protected from invalid access attempts.
• In protection, all the access to the resources is controlled. In
multiprocess environment, it is possible that, one process to interface with
the other, or with the operating system, so protection is required.
System Calls:
• Modern processors provide instructions that can be used as system
calls.
System calls provide the interface between a process and the operating
system. A system call instruction is an instruction that generates an
interrupt that cause the operating system to gain control of the processor.

• System call works in following ways :

1. First the program executes the system call instructions.

2. The hardware saves the current (instruction) and PSW register in the ii
and iPSW register.
3. 0 value is loaded into PSW register by hardware. It keeps the machine
in system mode with interrupt disabled.
4. The hardware loads the i register from the system call interrupt vector
location. This completes the execution of the system call instruction by
the hardware.
5. Instruction execution continues at the beginning of the system call
interrupt handler.
6.The system call handler completes and executes a return from interrupt
(rti) instructions. This restores the i and PSW from the ii and iPSW.
7. The process that executed the system call instruction continues at the
instruction after the system call.
Types of System Call: A system call is made using the system call
machine language instruction. System calls can be grouped into five
major categories.

21 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

1. File management
2. Interprocess communication
3. Process management
4. I/O device management
5. Information maintenance.
Hardware Protection:
• For single-user programmer operating systems, programmer has the
complete control over the system. They operate the system from the
console. When new operating systems developed with some additional
features, the system control transfers from programmer to the operating
system.
•Early operating systems were called resident monitors, and starting with
the resident monitor, the operating system began to perform many of the
functions, like input-output operation.
•Before the operating system, programmer is responsible for the controls
of input-output device operations. As the requirements of programmers
from computer systems go on increasing and development in the field of
communication helps to the operating system.
•Sharing of resource among different programmers is possible without
increasing cost. It improves the system utilization but problems increase.
If single system was used without share, an error occurs, that could cause
problems for only the one program which was running on that machine.
•In sharing, other programs also affected by single program. For example
, batch operating system faces the problem of infinite loop. This loop
could prevent the correct operation of many jobs. In multiprogramming
system, one erroreous program affects the other program or data of that
program.
• For proper operation and error free result, protection of error is required
. Without protection, only single process will execute one at a time
otherwise the output of each program is separated. While designing the
operating system, this type of care must be taken into consideration.
• Many programming errors are detected by the computer hardware.
Operating system handled this type of errors. Execution of illegal
instruction or access of memory that is not in the user's address space,
this type of operation found by the hardware and will trap to the operating
system.
• The trap transfers control through the interrupt vector to the operating
system. Operating system must abnormally terminate the program when
program error occurs. To handle this type of situation, different types of
hardware protection is used.

22 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.Shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

CP/M
Control Program/Microcomputer. An operating system created by Gary Kildall, the
founder of Digital Research. Created for the old 8-bit microcomputers that used the
8080, 8085, and Z-80 microprocessors. Was the dominant operating system in the late
1970s and early 1980s for small computers used in a business environment.

DOS
Disk Operating System. A collection of programs stored on the DOS disk that contain
routines enabling the system and user to manage information and the hardware
resources of the computer. DOS must be loaded into the computer before other
programs can be started.

operating system (OS)

A collection of programs for operating the computer. Operating systems perform
housekeeping tasks such as input and output between the computer and peripherals
as well as accepting and interpreting information from the keyboard. DOS and OS/2
are examples of popular 0S’s.

0S/2
A universal operating system developed through a joint effort by IBM and Microsoft
Corporation. The latest operating system from IBM for microcomputers using the Intel
386 or better microprocessors. OS/2 uses the protected mode operation of the
processor to expand memory from 1M to 4G and to support fast, efficient multitasking.
The 0512 Workplace Shell, an integral part of the system, is a graphical interface
similar to Microsoft Windows and the Apple Macintosh system. The latest version runs
DOS, Windows, and OS/2-specific software.

1 ‫ ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

2 ‫ ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Resources
• Process: An executing program
3 ‫ ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• Resource: Anything that is needed for a process to run

• Memory
• Space on a disk
• The CPU
• An OS creates resource abstractions
• An OS manages resource sharing

The First OS
• Resident monitors were the first, rudimentary, operating systems
– monitor is similar to OS kernel that must be resident in memory
– control-card interpreters eventually become command processors or shells
• There were still problems with computer utilization. Most of these problems
revolved around I/O operations

4 ‫ ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Operating System Classification

Single-tasking system: only one process can be run simultaneously

Multi-tasking system: can run arbitrary number of processes simultaneously (yes,

limited by the size of memory, etc.)
More precise classification:

• multiprogrammed systems - several tasks can be started and left un- finished; the
CPU is assigned to the individual tasks by rotation, task waiting to the completion of the
I/O operation (or other event) are blocked to save CPU time

• time-sharing systems - the CPU switching is so frequent that several users can
interact with the computer simultaneously - interactive processing

D. Bertrand 2 First Year University Studies in Science. ULB . Computer Principles. Chapter 8
Classification
From the hardware point of view :
• software = set of instructions
o either always in memory (resident)
o either loaded on request (non-resident or transient)
From the user point of view : Classification from the functionality
• System software :
o Operating systems (including monitor, supervisor, …)
o Loaders
o Libraries and utility programs
• Support software (developpers) :
o Assemblers
o Compilers and interpreters
o Editors
o Debuggers
• Application software

5 ‫ ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

The supervisor (monitor or kernel)

Memory Resident
• The utility programs are stored on the secondary storage device
• Loaded into memory at power-on (bootstrapping)
• On request (user or automatically) : tasks execution
• User interface : Job Control Language task(JCL)

6 ‫ ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

(Macro processors)
Introduction:

A macro represents a commonly used group of statements in the

source pro ramming language. The macro processor replaces each macro
instruction with the corresponding group of source language statements.
This is called expanding of macros.

Basic Macro Processor Functions:

We study the fundamental functions that are commonly used by all macro
•Macro Definition and Expansion
• Macro is a unit of specification for program generation through
expansion.
• A macro consists of a name, a set of formal parameters and body of
code.

• Macro expansion is a macro name with a set of formal parameters is

replaced by some code.
• Lexical expansion is replacement of a character string by another
character string during program generation.
• Semantic expansion is generation of instructions tailored to the
requirements of specific usage.

• Macro definition consists of

i) macro prototype ii) one of more model iii) macro preprocessor

• Macro definition is in between a macro header statement and a macro e

statement.

1 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• Syntax of macro prototype statement

Macro Expansion
• Macro call leads to macro expansion.
• Macro call statement is replaced by a sequence of assembly statement in
macro expansion.
• Two key notions are used in macro expansion
a) Expansion time control flow
b) Lexical substitution

• Algorithm for macro expansion

1. Initialize the macro expansion counter (MEC)
2. Check the statement which is pointed by MEC is not a MEND

3. Exit from the macro expansion

• RDBUFF and WRBUFF are the two macro instruction used in the Fig.
SIC/XE program. MACRO and MEND are the two new assembler
directives also used. RDBUFF is the name of macro which is in the label
field. The entry in the operand field identify the parameters of the macro
instruction.
• Each parameter begins with the character & which facilities the
substitution of parameters during macro expansion.

2 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• The macro name and parameters define a pattern or prototype for the
macro instruction used by the programmer. Body of the macro definition
is defined by the MACRO' directive statements. Macro expansion
generate these statements. End of the macro definition is defined by the
MEND assembler directive.
• In the main program . Macro invocation statement that gives the name
of the macro instruction being invoked and the arguments to be used in
expanding the macro .
• Each macro invocation statement has been expanded into the statements
that form the body of the macro, with the arguments from the macro
invocation substituted for the parameters in the macro prototype.
Parameters and arguments, both are associated with one another
according to their positions.
• The argument F1 is substituted for the parameter &INDEV whenever it
occurs in the body of the macro. BUFFER is substituted for &BUFADR
and &LENGTH is substituted for &RECLTH.
After macro processing, the expanded file can be used as input to the
assembler.

Macro Processor Algorithm and Data Structures:

• For designing two pass macro processor, all macro definitions are
processed during the first pass and all macro invocation statements are
expanded during the second pass. This type of two pass macro processor
would not allow the body of one macro instruction to contain definitions
of other macros. The reason behind is that, all macros defined during the
first pass before any macro invocation were expanded.
• Following example shows the definition of macros within a macro body.

3 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

• The body of first macro (MACROS) contains statements that define

RDBUFF WRBUFF and other macro instructions for a SIC system.
Second macro instruction body (MACROX) defines these same macros
for a SIC\XE system. The same program could run on either a standard
SIC machine or a SIC\XE machine. Invocation of MACROS or
MACROX is only changed for use. Defining MACROS or MACROX
does not define RDBUFF and other macro instructions. These definitions
are processed only when an invocation 0MACROS or MACROX is
expanded.
• Macro processor uses three main data structure.
1. Definition table (DEFT AB)
2. Name table (NAMTAB)
3. Argument table (ARGT AB)
• Definition table stores macro definitions. It contains the macro
prototype and the statements that make up the macro body. The macro
names are also entered into NAMT AB, which serves as an index to
DEFT AB.
• When macro instruction defined, NAMTAB contains pointers to the
beginning and end of the definition in DEFTAB.
• Argument table (ARGT AB) is used during the expansion of macro
invocations. When a macro invocation statement is recognized the
argument are stored in ARGTAB according to their position in the
argument list.

4 ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺔ‬ Dr.shaimaa H. Shaker

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Compilers

• A compiler is a program that translates a sentence

a. from a source language (e.g. Java, Scheme, LATEX)
b. into a target language (e.g. JVM, Intel x86, PDF)
c. while preserving its meaning in the process
• Compiler design has a long history (FORTRAN 1958)
a. lots of experience on how to structure compilers
b. lots of existing designs to study (many freely available)
c. take CS 152: Compiler Design for some of the details. . .

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|15635541

Downloaded by sathya bama ([email protected])