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Operating System

The operating system is the core software that controls the hardware and allows other programs to run. It coordinates activities and allocates resources. There are several types of operating systems including single-user, multi-tasking, multi-user, distributed, batch processing, real-time, and network operating systems. Real-time operating systems are designed for quick response and updating data as events occur. Common examples of operating systems include MSDOS, Windows, MacOS, and Unix-Linux.

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23 views

Operating System

The operating system is the core software that controls the hardware and allows other programs to run. It coordinates activities and allocates resources. There are several types of operating systems including single-user, multi-tasking, multi-user, distributed, batch processing, real-time, and network operating systems. Real-time operating systems are designed for quick response and updating data as events occur. Common examples of operating systems include MSDOS, Windows, MacOS, and Unix-Linux.

Uploaded by

olakunleadebowale9
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Operating system

Meaning of operating system


Operating system(OS): could be defined as the software inside the computer
that controls and coordinates the hardware, and the basic internal operations
of the computer system.
Without the operating system, the computer cannot function. It is usually the
first program that comes into the computer memory when booted.
Also, an operating system is a software program that enables the computer
hardware to communicate with other software programs.
Types of Operating System
There are various types of operating system and they are;
1. Single User Operating System: This is the type of operating system
designed for one user at a time. It allows single users to run different
types of applications at the same time.
The most commonly used single user, operating systems are MSDOS
(Microsoft Disk Operating System), PCDOS E.T.C.
2. Multi-Tasking Operating System: This is an operating system that
allows the users to switch between different applications. The most
commonly used multi-tasking operating system.
3. Multi-User Operating System: This allows multiple users, but handles a
user at a time while the processor splits its resources.
4. Distributed Operating System: This allows and data to be distributed
around the system. It enables programs and files to be stored on
different storage devices. Terminals are used to access different files.
5. Batch Processing Operating System: This allows limited or no
interaction between to user and processor during the program
execution. Programs are execution. Programs are executed in group
and sequence periodically. It makes provision for large amount of data
to be processed.
6. Real Time Operating System: This Is an online system with quick
response capability. It is used to access and update computer files,
(Using Terminal Equipment), quickly enough to affect decision
making. It is used to input data and process it regardless of the order in
which the data arrives.
Characteristics of Real-Time Operating System
1. It communicates with the user in an interactive and dynamic
manner with fast response.
2. Real-time operating system computer can be interrogated from
remote terminals.
3. It is larger, costlier, and more complex than batch processing
operating system.
4. It has the capability of multi-programming (More than one program
segment in memory at a time) used for simultaneous activities;
reacts to random sequences of inputs and services as multitude of
interruption.
5. The records are updated as events occur, not accumulated (Batched
and periodically updated).
6. Information can be maintained online and stored either in memory
or in random access files attached directly to the computer. Data can
be efficiently processed in sequence as received periodically.
7. Network Operating System: This allows many individuals computer
to be connected together. It gives the users advantages of having
their stand-alone computers. It allows sharing of hardware devices
such as disk drivers and printers, as well as software and databases.
The user can also send or transmit and receive message to and fro
others on the network.
Examples of Operating system
1. MSDOS
2. Microsoft Windows Operating System
3. Macintosh Operating System (MACOS)
4. Unix-Linux Operating System
Functions of Operating System
1. It makes provision for the sharing and managing of the resources
such as printer on a network.
2. It helps in storing and managing files on the floppy disk, hard
disk, flash, disk, compact disk (CD).
3. It helps to co-ordinate hardware and software activities.
4. It helps in managing memory adequately for running programs.
5. It makes provision for adequate security on the available files
from virus attack.
6. It controls the inputs (Keyboard, joy stick and mouse) and output
(Visual display unit and printer) functions effectively.
7. It makes provision for the supervision of the running of
applications software.
Refer to your textbook page 56-66 for further details.

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