Operating System

An operating system (OS) is a program that acts as an interface between the system
hardware and the user. Moreover, it handles all the interactions between
the software and the hardware. All the working of a computer system depends on
the OS at the base level. Further, it performs all the functions like
handling memory, processes, the interaction between hardware and software, etc.
Now, let us look at the functions of operating system.

Operating System

Objectives of OS

The primary goals of an operating system are as follows:

⦁ Convenience – An operating system improves the use of a machine. Operating

systems enable users to get started on the things they wish to complete quickly
without having to cope with the stress of first configuring the system.

⦁ Efficiency – An operating system enables the efficient use of resources. This is

due to less time spent configuring the system.

⦁ Ability to evolve – An operating system should be designed in such a way that it

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 allows for the effective development, testing, and introduction of new features
without interfering with service.

⦁ Management of system resources – It guarantees that resources are shared

fairly among various processes and users.
Functions of Operating System
1. Memory Management

It is the management of the main or primary memory. Whatever program is

executed, it has to be present in the main memory. Main memory is a quick
storage area that may be accessed directly by the CPU. When the program is
completed, the memory region is released and can be used by other programs.
Therefore, there can be more than one program present at a time. Hence, it is
required to manage the memory.

The operating system:

⦁ Allocates and deallocates the memory.

⦁ Keeps a record of which part of primary memory is used by whom and how
much.

⦁ Distributes the memory while multiprocessing.

⦁ In multiprogramming, the operating system selects which processes acquire

memory when and how much memory they get.
2. Processor Management/Scheduling

Every software that runs on a computer, whether in the background or in the

frontend, is a process. Processor management is an execution unit in which a
program operates. The operating system determines the status of the processor and
processes, selects a job and its processor, allocates the processor to the process, and
de-allocates the processor after the process is completed.

When more than one process runs on the system the OS decides how and when a
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process will use the CPU. Hence, the name is also CPU Scheduling. The OS:

⦁ Allocates and deallocates processor to the processes.

⦁ Keeps record of CPU status.

Certain algorithms used for CPU scheduling are as follows:

⦁ First Come First Serve (FCFS)

⦁ Shortest Job First (SJF)

⦁ Round-Robin Scheduling

⦁ Priority-based scheduling etc.

Purpose of CPU scheduling

The purpose of CPU scheduling is as follows:

⦁ Proper utilization of CPU. Since the proper utilization of the CPU is necessary.
Therefore, the OS makes sure that the CPU should be as busy as possible.

⦁ Since every device should get a chance to use the processor. Hence, the OS
makes sure that the devices get fair processor time.

⦁ Increasing the efficiency of the system.

3. Device Management

An operating system regulates device connection using drivers. The processes may
require devices for their use. This management is done by the OS. The OS:

⦁ Allocates and deallocates devices to different processes.

⦁ Keeps records of the devices.

⦁ Decides which process can use which device for how much time.

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4. File Management

The operating system manages resource allocation and de-allocation. It specifies

which process receives the file and for how long. It also keeps track of information,
location, uses, status, and so on. These groupings of resources are referred to as file
systems. The files on a system are stored in different directories. The OS:

⦁ Keeps records of the status and locations of files.

⦁ Allocates and deallocates resources.

⦁ Decides who gets the resources.

5. Storage Management

Storage management is a procedure that allows users to maximize the utilization of

storage devices while also protecting data integrity on whatever media on which it
lives. Network virtualization, replication, mirroring, security, compression,
deduplication, traffic analysis, process automation, storage provisioning, and
memory management are some of the features that may be included. The operating
system is in charge of storing and accessing files. The creation of files, the creation
of directories, the reading and writing of data from files and directories, as well as
the copying of the contents of files and directories from one location to another are
all included in storage management.

The OS uses storage management for:

⦁ Improving the performance of the data storage resources.

⦁ It optimizes the use of various storage devices.

⦁ Assists businesses in storing more data on existing hardware, speeding up the

data retrieval process, preventing data loss, meeting data retention regulations,
and lowering IT costs
What are the functions of Operating System

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⦁ Security – For security, modern operating systems employ a firewall. A firewall
is a type of security system that monitors all computer activity and blocks it if it
detects a threat.

⦁ Job Accounting – As the operating system keeps track of all the functions of a
computer system. Hence, it makes a record of all the activities taking place on
the system. It has an account of all the information about the memory, resources,
errors, etc. Therefore, this information can be used as and when required.

⦁ Control over system performance – The operating system will collect

consumption statistics for various resources and monitor performance indicators
such as reaction time, which is the time between requesting a service and
receiving a response from the system.

⦁ Error detecting aids – While a computer system is running, a variety of errors

might occur. Error detection guarantees that data is delivered reliably across
susceptible networks. The operating system continuously monitors the system to
locate or recognize problems and protects the system from them.

⦁ Coordination between other software and users – The operating system (OS)
allows hardware components to be coordinated and directs and allocates
assemblers, interpreters, compilers, and other software to different users of
the computer system.

⦁ Booting process – The process of starting or restarting a computer is referred to

as Booting. Cold booting occurs when a computer is totally turned off and then
turned back on. Warm booting occurs when the computer is restarted. The
operating system (OS) is in charge of booting the computer.
Types of Operating System

The operating system can be of different types. They are as follows:

1. Batch OS

In this system, the OS does not forward the jobs/tasks directly to the CPU. It works
by grouping together similar types of jobs under one category. Further, we name

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this group as a ‘batch’. Hence, the name batch OS.

Examples are the payroll system, bank statement, etc.

2. Time-Shared OS

When more than one task takes place on the system it is called time-shared OS. As
multiple tasks can run at the system at a time as per requirement. Hence, they all
share the CPU time one by one. Therefore, we also name it multitasking. The time
that each task gets is called quantum.

A fixed interval of time is decided for each task. When the first task executes for
that period of time, the second task executes, and so on.

Examples are UNIX etc.

3. Distributed OS

In this system, there is more than one CPU present. The OS distributes the tasks
among all the processors. The processors do not share any memory or clock time.
OS handles all communication between them through various communication
lines.

Examples are LOCUS etc.

4. Network OS

In these OS various systems are connected to a server. It allows the system to share
resources such as files, printers, applications, etc. Moreover, it gives the capability
to serve to manage these resources.

Examples are UNIX, LINUX, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, etc.

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5. Real-Time OS (RTOS)

In these systems, the time interval for processing and responding to inputs is very
small. Therefore, due to this quality, these are used in real-time situations. For
example in missile systems, robots, etc.

They have two categories as follows:

a) Hard Real-Time Systems

In this, the time constraint is very short and strict. Even seconds of delay is not
acceptable.

b) Soft Real-Time Systems

In this, the time constraint is not so short and strict.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is an OS?

A1. An operating system is a set of programs that acts as an interface between

computer hardware and user.

Q2. List the functions of OS.

A2. Functions of OS are:

⦁ Memory Management

⦁ Process Management/CPU Scheduling

⦁ Device Management

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⦁ File Management

⦁ Security

⦁ Accounting

⦁ Error detection etc.

Q3. What are the types of operating systems?

A3. Major types of OS are:

⦁ Simple Batch OS

⦁ Multitasking/Time-shared OS

⦁ Distributed OS

⦁ Network OS

⦁ Real-Time OS
Q4. What is CPU scheduling? Give examples.

A4. Every resource and application requires a processor. Therefore, when multiple
tasks are running on the system it is necessary to manage the CPU time and usage.
Hence, the OS keeps track of the CPU and allocates and deallocates the CPU to
devices and applications accordingly.

Examples of scheduling algorithms are:

⦁ First Come First Serve (FCFS)

⦁ Shortest Job First (SJF)

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⦁ Round-Robin Scheduling

⦁ Priority-based scheduling etc.