OS Introduction (Unit 1)

It is very difficult to define OS. No such definition is established which is

acceptable to all. Basically, it is a software, a big software containing a very
large collection of programs. It plays a very important role in computer operation.
Its main tasks can be summarised as follows :
It starts the computer and makes it ready to perform our tasks.
It acts as a resource manager and manages different computer resources such as
processor, memory, files, clock etc. Todays we are in a multiprogramming
environment. In this environment, multiple processes may demand for same
resource. As a resource manager , it decides that which resource will be allocated
to whom, when and for how long. In other words, we can say that Operating
System allocates, deallocates and keeps track of different resources.
Operating System also hides all complexities of the operation and provides an
interface where user can make a request and gets reply. It acts as a mediator
between user and the computer and provides an environment in which we can
execute our instructions.
Types of Operating System:
Single User: Operating system that lets only one user to work at a time.
For example MS DOS was a single user operating system.
• Single-user, single task - As the name implies, this operating system is designed
to manage the computer so that one user can effectively do one thing at a time.
The Palm OS for Palm handheld computers is a good example of a modern single-
user, single-task operating system.
• Multiuser Operating System : As the name implies, this OS supports more than
one person to work simultaneously.
• Real-time operating system (RTOS) - Real-time operating systems are used to
control machinery, scientific instruments and industrial systems. An RTOS
typically has very little user-interface capability, and no end-user utilities, since
the system will be a "sealed box" when delivered for use. A very important part
of an RTOS is managing the resources of the computer so that a particular
operation executes in precisely the same amount of time, every time it occurs. In
a complex machine, having a part move more quickly just because system
resources are available may be just as catastrophic as having it not move at all
because the system is busy.
• Single-user, multi-tasking - This is the type of operating system most people
use on their desktop and laptop computers today. Microsoft's Windows and
Apple's MacOS platforms are both examples of operating systems that will let a
single user have several programs in operation at the same time. For example, it's
entirely possible for a Windows user to be writing a note in a word processor
while downloading a file from the Internet while printing the text of an e-mail
message.
• Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows many different users to take
advantage of the computer's resources simultaneously. The operating system
must make sure that the requirements of the various users are balanced, and that
each of the programs they are using has sufficient and separate resources so that
a problem with one user doesn't affect the entire community of users. Unix, VMS
and mainframe operating systems, such as MVS, are examples of multi-user
operating systems.
It's important to differentiate between multi-user operating systems and single-
user operating systems that support networking. Windows 2000 and Novell
Netware can each support hundreds or thousands of networked users, but the
operating systems themselves aren't true multi-user operating systems.
The system administrator is the only "user" for Windows 2000 or Netware. The
network support and all of the remote user logins the network enables are, in the
overall plan of the operating system, a program being run by the administrative
user.
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 −
• Offline debugging.
• 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 Multi programmed Batch Systems and Time-
Sharing Systems is that in case of Multi programmed 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.
The 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), 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.
The 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.
The 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 imaging 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 like undersea exploration and
planetary rovers, etc.