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Operating Systems

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13 views

Operating Systems

Uploaded by

tadiwamuneta30
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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OPERATING SYSTEMS

An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and
software resources and provides common services for computer programs. All
computer programs, excluding firmware, require an operating system to function.
Within the broad family of operating systems, there are generally four types,
categorized based on the types of computers they control and the sort of applications
they support. The categories are:
• 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, 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.

• 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 10 and Linux can each support
hundreds or thousands of networked users, but the operating systems themselves
aren't true multi-user operating systems.
Time-sharing operating systems schedule tasks for efficient use of the system and
may also include accounting software for cost allocation of processor time, mass
storage, printing, and other resources.
Memory management is the process of controlling and coordinating computer
memory, assigning portions called blocks to various running programs to optimize
overall system performance. Memory management is one of the five main
functions of an operating system.

Assignment: Find out the Five main functions of an operating system.


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