Types of Operating System

• Batch Operating System

• Multiprogramming OS.
• Time-sharing or multitasking operating systems
• Distributed operating System
• Network operating System
• Real Time operating System
Hard real--time systems
Soft real--time systems
 Batch operating system
• This type of operating system does not interact
with the computer directly.
• Batch processing is a technique in which an
Operating System collects the programs and data
together in a batch before processing starts.
• Each user prepares his job on an offline 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.
 Batch operating system
The problems with Batch Systems are as
follows
• 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.
 Multiprogramming OS
• In such type of operating system, multiple jobs
can sit simultaneously in the memory.
• For it, memory is considered as a partitioned
device, so that each job can reside in a
partition.
• Multiprogramming increases CPU utilization
by organizing jobs so that the CPU always has
one to execute.
 Multiprogramming OS
The following figure shows the memory layout
for a multiprogramming system.

Job n
 Multiprogramming OS
• It takes one job from the memory and starts its
execution.
• During execution eventually, the job requires some I/O
operation so the job waits until I/O operation is
complete.
• In non multiprogramming environment, during this
time CPU sits idle. But in multiprogramming, the
operating system switches to present job and executes
another job.
• When that job waits for some task, CPU is switched to
another job and so on.
• When first job finishes waiting, the CPU again starts its
execution. So here the CPU time is fully utilized.
 Multiprogramming OS
Advantages:
• Increase CPU utilization by eliminating idle
time of CPU.
• Multiple jobs can execute simultaneously.
Disadvantage:
• User cannot interact with his program during
execution, i.e., it does not support
interactivity.
 Functions of Operating System in
Multiprogramming
(a) Job Scheduling
(b) CPU scheduling
(c) Memory Management

(a) Job Scheduling- Since several jobs are ready in job

pool to enter in the memory and if memory has not
enough space to keep all the jobs, then it is
necessary to choose some jobs out of all the jobs of
job pool on some basis. This process of selecting jobs
to enter in memory from the job pool is called job
scheduling.
 Functions of Operating System in
Multiprogramming
(b) CPU Scheduling- If several jobs are ready in
memory to run at the same time then it is
necessary to choose a job to run. This Process of
selecting job for execution out of all ready to run
jobs in memory is called CPU scheduling.
© Memory Management- Since several jobs are
loaded into memory simultaneously for
execution, for this, memory management is
required.
 Time-sharing or Multitasking
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 and Time-Sharing Systems is that
in case of Multiprogrammed batch systems, the
objective is to maximize processor use, whereas
in Time-Sharing Systems, the objective is to
minimize response time.
 Time-sharing or Multitasking
• Multiple jobsoperating
are executedsystems
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.
• 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.
 Time-sharing or Multitasking
operating systems
Advantages of Timesharing operating systems
are as follows −
• Provides the advantage of quick response.
• Avoids duplication of software.
• Reduces CPU idle time.
 Time-sharing or Multitasking
operating systems
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 busses 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.
 Distributed operating System
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,
user's, groups, security, applications, and other
networking functions.
• The primary purpose of the network operating system
is to allow shared file and printers 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.
 Network operating System
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 in to the system.
• Remote access to servers is possible from
different locations and types of systems.
 Network operating System
• The disadvantages of networks 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 processes 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.
 Mainframe OS
• The mainframe OS are designed to handle large
amount of disk space and large number of I/O devices.
• Heavily oriented toward processing many jobs at once.
• They typically provides three sort of services batch,
transaction processing, and time sharing.
• The file protection is necessary, since many users
handle these types of computers.
• These OS are used for high-end Web servers, for
business-to-business transaction etc.
• Example-OS/390, OS/360 descendant etc.
Personal Computer Operating Systems
• Designed to handle small amount of disk space and small
number of I/O devices.
• Some personal computer operating system handle only one
job at a time, like MS-DOS.
• They typically provide a good interface to a single user.
• The file protection is not necessary in some personal
computer but if these PCs are used on network then file
protection becomes a necessary feature for such operating
systems.
• These operating systems are used for personal computer
those perform computer those perform word processing,
prepare spreadsheets, and access internet.
• Example- DOS, Windows.., Macintosh, Linux, etc.
 Multiprocessor OS
• The multiprocessors system need special types of
operating systems.
• The main feature of such operating system is that
they allow many processes to run simultaneously
without a significant lack of performance.
• These also provide a better way to ensure, that in
I/O operation data is coming and reaching to the
appropriate CPU.
• Example – Windows NT, Solaris, Linux etc.
 References
1. Book: Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne,
“Operating Systems Concepts”, Wiley
Publication.
2. www.google.com