Operating System Introduction:-

An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer

hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. The
operating system is a vital component of the system software in a computer
system.

Why to Learn Operating System?

An Operating System (OS) is an interface between computer user and computer
hardware. An operating system is software which performs all the basic tasks like
file management, memory management, process management, handling input and
output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
Some popular Operating Systems include Linux Operating System, Windows
Operating System, VMS, OS/400, AIX, z/OS, etc.

Definition:-
An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the user and
the computer hardware and controls the execution of all kinds of programs.

Some of important functions of an operating System:-

 Memory Management
 Processor Management
 Device Management
  File Management
 Security
 Control over system performance
 Job accounting
 Error detecting aids
 Coordination between other software and users

Memory Management

Memory management refers to management of Primary Memory or Main

Memory. Main memory is a large array of words or bytes where each word or byte
has its own address.
Main memory provides a fast storage that can be accessed directly by the CPU.
For a program to be executed, it must in the main memory. An Operating System
does the following activities for memory management −
 Keeps tracks of primary memory, i.e., what part of it are in use by whom,
what part is not in use?
 In multiprogramming, the OS decides which process will get memory when
and how much.
 Allocates the memory when a process requests it to do so.
 De-allocates the memory when a process no longer needs it or has been
terminated.

Processor Management

In multiprogramming environment, the OS decides which process gets the

processor when and for how much time. This function is called process
scheduling. An Operating System does the following activities for processor
management −
 Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. The program responsible
for this task is known as traffic controller.
 Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process.
 De-allocates processor when a process is no longer required.
Device Management

An Operating System manages device communication via their respective drivers.

It does the following activities for device management −
 Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for this task is known as
the I/O controller.
 Decides which process gets the device when and for how much time.
 Allocates the device in the efficient way.
 De-allocates devices.

File Management

A file system is normally organized into directories for easy navigation and usage.
These directories may contain files and other directions.
An Operating System does the following activities for file management −
 Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc. The collective
facilities are often known as file system.
 Decides who gets the resources.
 Allocates the resources.
 De-allocates the resources.
Security − By means of password and similar other techniques, it prevents
unauthorized access to programs and data.
Control over system performance − Recording delays between request for a
service and response from the system.
Job accounting − Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and
users.
Error detecting aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other
debugging and error detecting aids.
Coordination between other software’s and users − Coordination and
assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the various
users of the computer systems.
Applications of Operating System
Following are some of the important activities that an Operating System performs:-
 Security − By means of password and similar other techniques, it prevents
unauthorized access to programs and data.
 Control over system performance − Recording delays between request for
a service and response from the system.
 Job accounting − Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs
and users.
 Error detecting aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and
other debugging and error detecting aids.
 Coordination between other software’s and users − Coordination and
assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the
various users of the computer systems.
Booting Process:-
Booting is a process of switching on the computer and starting the operating
system. Six steps of the booting process are BIOS and Setup Program, The Power-
On-Self-Test (POST), The Operating System Loads, System Configuration,
System Utility Loads and Users Authentication.
  BIOS and Setup Program.
 The Power-On-Self-Test (POST).
 The Operating System (OS) Loads.
 System Configuration.
 System Utility Loads.
 Users Authentication.

Step 1: BIOS and Setup Program

 ROM (read-only memory): it is a permanent and unchanging memory also
 BIOS (basic input/output system): the part of the system software that
includes the instructions that the computer uses to accept input and output.
 Load: to transfer from a storage device to memory.
The ROM loads BIOS into the computer’s memory
 Setup program: a special program containing settings to control hardware.
Furthermore, the program can only be accessed while the BIOS information
is visible.

Step 2: The Power-On-Self-Test (POST)

 POST (Power-On Self-Test): a series of tests conducted on the computer’s
main memory, input/output devices, disk drives, and the hard disk.
 BIOS conduct Power-On-Self-Test to check the input/ output system for
operability.
 The computer will produce a beeping sound if any problem occurs. An error
message will also appear on the monitor

Step 3: The Operating System (OS) Loads

BIOS searches for the operating system.
 Setting in CMOS: complementary metal oxide semiconductor determines
where to look for the operating system.
 In this step, the operating system’s kernel is also loaded into the computer’s
memory.
 The operating system takes control of the computer and begins loading
system configuration information.
Step 4: System Configuration
 Registry: a database to store information about peripherals and software
 Peripheral: a device connected to a computer
 Drive: a utility program that makes peripheral devices function properly
 The operating system’s registry configures the system.
 In this step, drivers are also loaded into memory.
 Step 5: System Utility Loads
 System utilities are loaded into memory.
 Volume control.
 Antivirus software.
 PC card unplugging utility.
Step 6: Users Authentication
 Authentication or user login occurs
 Username
 Password
After all this process, the user interface starts, enabling user interaction with the
computer and its programs also.

Types of Reboot:-
To reboot is to reload the operating system of a computer: to start it up again.
Booting is starting a computer's operating system, so rebooting is to start it for a
second or third time. Rebooting allows the computer to restart and get back to
working normally. After a crash, the computer is useless until you reboot.
There are two Types of Rebooting
 Warm Rebooting: - when the System Starts from the Starting or from
initial State Means when we Starts our System this is called as warm
Booting. In the Warm Booting the System will be started from its beginning
State means first of all, the user will press the Power Button, then this will
read all the instructions from the ROM and the Operating System will be
automatically gets loaded into the System.
 Cold Rebooting:- The Cold Booting is that in which System Automatically
Starts when we are Running the System, For Example due to Light
Fluctuation the system will Automatically Restarts So that in this Chances
Damaging of system are More. And the System will not be start from its
initial State So May Some Files will b Damaged because they are not
Properly Stored into the System.
Types of Operating System:-
The important types of operating systems which are most commonly used.
Batch operating system
The users of a batch operating system do not interact with the computer directly.
Each user prepares his job on an off-line device like punch cards and submits it to
the computer operator. To speed up processing, jobs with similar needs are
batched together and run as a group. The programmers leave their programs with
the operator and the operator then sorts the programs with similar requirements
into batches.
The problems with Batch Systems are as follows:-

 Lack of interaction between the user and the job.

 CPU is often idle, because the speed of the mechanical I/O devices is slower
than the CPU.
 Difficult to provide the desired priority.

Time-sharing operating systems

Time-sharing is a technique which enables many people, located at various
terminals, to use a particular computer system at the same time. Time-sharing or
multitasking is a logical extension of multiprogramming. Processor's time which
is shared among multiple users simultaneously is termed as time-sharing.
The main difference between Multiprogramming Batch Systems and Time-
Sharing Systems is that in case of Multiprogramming batch systems, the objective
is to maximize processor use, whereas in Time-Sharing Systems, the objective is
to minimize response time.
Multiple jobs are executed by the CPU by switching between them, but the
switches occur so frequently. Thus, the user can receive an immediate response.
For example, in a transaction processing, the processor executes each user
program in a short burst or quantum of computation. That is, if n users are
present, then each user can get a time quantum. When the user submits the
command, the response time is in few seconds at most.
The operating system uses CPU scheduling and multiprogramming to provide
each user with a small portion of a time. Computer systems that were designed
primarily as batch systems have been modified to time-sharing systems.
Advantages of Timesharing operating systems are as follows:-

 Provides the advantage of quick response.

 Avoids duplication of software.
 Reduces CPU idle time.
Disadvantages of Time-sharing operating systems are as follows:-

 Problem of reliability.
 Question of security and integrity of user programs and data.
 Problem of data communication.

Distributed operating System

Distributed systems use multiple central processors to serve multiple real-time
applications and multiple users. Data processing jobs are distributed among the
processors accordingly.
The processors communicate with one another through various communication
lines (such as high-speed buses or telephone lines). These are referred as loosely
coupled systems or distributed systems. Processors in a distributed system may
vary in size and function. These processors are referred as sites, nodes, computers,
and so on.
Advantages of distributed systems are as follows:-

 With resource sharing facility, a user at one site may be able to use the
resources available at another.
 Speedup the exchange of data with one another via electronic mail.
 If one site fails in a distributed system, the remaining sites can potentially
continue operating.
 Better service to the customers.
 Reduction of the load on the host computer.
 Reduction of delays in data processing.

Network operating System

A Network Operating System runs on a server and provides the server the
capability to manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other
networking functions. The primary purpose of the network operating system is to
allow shared file and printer access among multiple computers in a network,
typically a local area network (LAN), and a private network or to other networks.
Examples of network operating systems include Microsoft Windows Server 2003,
Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, and
BSD.
Advantages of network operating systems are as follows:-

 Centralized servers are highly stable.

 Security is server managed.
 Upgrades to new technologies and hardware can be easily integrated into the
system.
 Remote access to servers is possible from different locations and types of
systems.
Disadvantages of network operating systems are as follows:-

 High cost of buying and running a server.

 Dependency on a central location for most operations.
 Regular maintenance and updates are required.

Real Time operating System

A real-time system is defined as a data processing system in which the time
interval required to process and respond to inputs is so small that it controls the
environment. The time taken by the system to respond to an input and display of
required updated information is termed as the response time. So in this method,
the response time is very less as compared to online processing.
Real-time systems are used when there are rigid time requirements on the
operation of a processor or the flow of data and real-time systems can be used as a
control device in a dedicated application. A real-time operating system must have
well-defined, fixed time constraints, otherwise the system will fail. For example,
scientific experiments, medical image systems, industrial control systems, weapon
systems, robots, air traffic control systems, etc.
There are two types of real-time operating systems:-
Hard real-time systems:-Hard real-time systems guarantee that critical tasks
complete on time. In hard real-time systems, secondary storage is limited or
missing and the data is stored in ROM. In these systems, virtual memory is almost
never found.
Soft real-time systems:-
Soft real-time systems are less restrictive. A critical real-time task gets priority
over other tasks and retains the priority until it completes. Soft real-time systems
have limited utility than hard real-time systems. For example, multimedia, virtual
reality, Advanced Scientific Projects likes undersea exploration and planetary
rovers, etc.
Some Prominent Operating Systems:-
Prominent OS are as follows:-

o UNIX

o Microsoft Windows

o Linux

o iOS

o Android

Modern operating systems use a Graphical User Interface (GUI). A GUI lets you
use your mouse to click icons, buttons, menus and everything is clearly displayed
on the screen using a combination of graphics and text elements.
OS can be either proprietary with a commercial license or can be
open source. Each Operating System's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you
switch to a different Operating System, it may seem unfamiliar at first. However,
modern Operating Systems are designed to be ease of use and most of the basic
principles are the same.
1. UNIX

UNIX is a family of multitasking, multi-user operating systems that derive

originally from AT&T Bell Labs, where the development began in the 1970s by
Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie.

2. Linux

Linux is a family of open-source operating systems. It can be modified and

distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary software
like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it. The main
advantage of Linux operating system is that it is open source. There are many
versions and their updates. Most of the servers run on Linux because it is easy to
customize.

There are a few different distributions of Linux, like Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora,
RedHat, Debian, Google's Android, Chrome OS, and Chromium OS which are
popular among users.

The Linux operating system was originated in 1991, as a project of “Linus

Torvalds” from a university student of Finland. He posted information about his
project on a news group for computer students and programmers. He received
support and assistance from a large pool of volunteers who succeeded in creating a
complete and functional Operating System. Linux is similar to the UNIX operating
system.
3. Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a family of proprietary operating systems designed by

Microsoft Corporation and primarily targeted to Intel and AMD architecture based
computers.
4. Operating systems for mobile devices
Mobile devices such as phones, tablets and MP3 players are different from
desktop and laptop computers and hence they need special Operating Systems.
Examples of mobile Operating Systems are Apple iOS and Google Android. The
iOS running on an iPad is shown in Figure 4.12.
Operating systems for mobile devices generally are not as fully featured as those
made for desktop and laptop computers and they are not able to run all software.

5. Android

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google, based on Linux and

designed primarily for touch screen mobile devices such as smart phones and
tablets. Google has further developed Android TV for televisions, Android Auto
for cars and Android Wear for wrist watches, each with a specialized user
interface. Variants of Android are also used on game consoles, digital cameras,
PCs and other electronic gadgets.

6. iOS - iPhone OS

iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile Operating System created and developed by
Apple Inc., exclusively for its hardware. It is the Operating System that presently
powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPad and
iPod Touch. It is the second most popular mobile Operating System globally after
Android.