UNIT-III: Operating System and Services in O.S.

Operating System Overview:

An Operating System (O.S.) is system software that manages hardware and software resources on a
computer. It acts as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware and enables users to
interact with the system effectively. The primary goals of an O.S. are to make efficient use of resources,
provide a user-friendly interface, and ensure security and multitasking.

Services in O.S.:

Operating systems provide a variety of services to users and applications, which include:

1. Process Management:

o Handles processes, memory allocation, and scheduling.

o Ensures that processes do not interfere with each other.

2. Memory Management:

o Allocates memory to processes when needed and frees it when not in use.

o Includes functions like paging, segmentation, and virtual memory.

3. File System Management:

o Manages files and directories on storage devices (e.g., hard drives).

o Organizes data into structures like files, directories, and folders.

4. Device Management:

o Manages device drivers and controls hardware devices (e.g., printers, hard drives).

o Ensures that data can be transferred between software and hardware efficiently.

5. Security and Access Control:

o Protects the system and data from unauthorized access or malware.

o Implements encryption, user authentication, and permissions.

6. User Interface (UI):

o Provides a way for users to interact with the system, either through a command-line
interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI).

7. Networking:

o Manages network connections and communication between devices over a network.

DOS – History, Files, and Directories:

History of DOS (Disk Operating System):

 DOS was developed in the early 1980s by Microsoft for IBM PCs.

 Initially, MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) was one of the most popular O.S. for PCs.

 It was a single-tasking, command-line-based operating system and relied on floppy disks and
later hard drives for data storage.

 MS-DOS was widely used until graphical user interfaces (GUIs) like Windows became popular.

Files and Directories:

 Files: A file is a collection of data stored on a disk. It can be of various types like text, program, or
binary files.

 Directories: A directory is a container that stores files and other directories. It helps in organizing
files in a hierarchical structure. Directories can be nested within other directories
(subdirectories).

o Example of a directory structure: C:\Users\Documents\Projects

 File Extensions: In DOS, file extensions were used to identify the file type (e.g., .txt for text
files, .exe for executable files).

Internal and External Commands in DOS:

Internal Commands:

 These commands are part of the command interpreter and are available as soon as the system
starts.

 They do not require external files to execute.

 Examples of Internal Commands:

1. DIR: Lists files in the current directory.

2. CD: Changes the directory.

3. COPY: Copies files from one location to another.

4. DEL: Deletes files.

5. REN: Renames files.

External Commands:

 These commands are not part of the command interpreter and require separate executable files.

 They are stored as .exe or .com files on disk and are loaded when invoked.

 Examples of External Commands:

 1. FORMAT: Formats a disk.

2. DISKCOPY: Copies the contents of one disk to another.

3. XCOPY: Copies files and directories.

Batch Files:

 Batch Files are text files with a .bat extension that contain a sequence of DOS commands to be
executed automatically.

 These files are useful for automating repetitive tasks like backup operations or system
configurations.

 Example of a simple batch file:

 @echo off

 echo "Starting Backup"

 xcopy C:\data D:\backup /E

 echo "Backup Complete"

 Key Points:

o Batch files are executed sequentially.

o They can include both internal and external commands.

o They can accept parameters and use conditional statements.

Types of Operating Systems (O.S.):

1. Batch Operating System:

o Executes jobs in batches without user interaction.

o Jobs are grouped together, and the O.S. executes them in sequence.

o Example: Early mainframe systems.

2. Time-Sharing Operating System:

o Allows multiple users to share the system resources simultaneously by giving each user a
small time slice.

o Example: UNIX, Linux.

3. Real-Time Operating System (RTOS):

o Designed to respond to inputs within a specified time frame.

 o Used in systems where timing is crucial, such as embedded systems and industrial
machines.

o Example: VxWorks, FreeRTOS.

4. Distributed Operating System:

o Manages a group of independent computers and makes them appear as a single unified
system.

o Facilitates resource sharing and communication between computers.

o Example: Google’s Chrome OS, Cluster systems.

5. Network Operating System (NOS):

o Designed to support networking and allow communication and resource sharing

between computers.

o Manages the network infrastructure and provides services like file sharing and printing.

o Example: Novell NetWare, Microsoft Windows Server.

6. Multiprocessing Operating System:

o Uses two or more processors to handle tasks simultaneously, allowing better

performance.

o Example: Linux, Windows Server.

7. Single-User, Single-Task Operating System:

o Designed for use by one user at a time and handles one task at a time.

o Example: Early versions of MS-DOS.

8. Single-User, Multi-Tasking Operating System:

o Allows one user to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

o Example: Windows, macOS.

9. Multi-User Operating System:

o Supports multiple users accessing the system concurrently.

o Example: UNIX, Linux.