Types of Operating System

Types of Operating System

● Operating systems are there from the very first
computer generation. Operating systems keep
evolving over the period of time. Following are few of
the important types of operating system which are
most commonly used.
Batch operating system
● The users of 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. Thus, the programmers left their programs with
the operator. The operator then sorts programs into
batches with similar requirements.
● The problems with Batch Systems are following.
● Lack of interaction between the user and job.
● CPU is often idle, because the speeds of the
mechanical I/O devices is slower than 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
Multiprogrammed Batch Systems
● Multiple jobs are executed by the CPU by switching
between them, but the switches occur so frequently.
Thus, the user can receives an immediate response.
● For example, in a transaction processing, processor
execute each user program in a short burst or
quantum of computation. That is if n users are present,
each user can get time quantum. When the user
submits the command, the response time is in few
seconds at most.
● and Time-Sharing Systems is that in case of
Multiprogrammed batch systems, objective is to
maximize processor use, whereas in Time-Sharing
Systems objective is to minimize response time.

● 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
following
● Provide advantage of quick response.
● Avoids duplication of software.
● Reduces CPU idle time.
● Disadvantages of Timesharing operating systems are
following.
● 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 application and multiple users.
Data processing jobs are distributed among the
processors accordingly to which one can perform each
job most efficiently.
● 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
following.
● With resource sharing facility 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
● Network Operating System runs on a server and
provides 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 are
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows
Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare,
and BSD.
The advantages of network operating
systems are following.
● Centralized servers are highly stable.
● Security is server managed.
● Upgrades to new technologies and hardwares 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 following.
● 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
● Real time system is defines 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.
● Real time processing is always on line whereas on line
system need not be real time. The time taken by the
system to respond to an input and display of required
updated information is termed as response time. So in
this method response time is very less as compared to
the 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. Real-time
operating system has well-defined, fixed time
constraints otherwise system will fail.
● For example Scientific experiments, medical imaging
systems, industrial control systems, weapon systems,
robots, and home-applicance controllers, Air traffic
control system 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 with data stored in ROM.
In these systems virtual memory is almost never
found.
● SOFT REAL-TIME SYSTEMS
● Soft real time systems are less restrictive. 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.