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What is an Operating System?

Last Updated : 11 Mar, 2025

An Operating System is a System software that manages all the

resources of the computing device.

Acts as an interface between the software and different parts of the

computer or the computer hardware.
Manages the overall resources and operations of the computer.
Controls and monitors the execution of all other programs that reside
in the computer, which also includes application programs and other
system software of the computer.
Examples of Operating Systems are Windows, Linux, macOS,
Android, iOS, etc.

Operating System

What is an Operating System Used for?

As a platform for Application programs: It provides a platform, on
top of which, other programs, called application programs can run.
Managing Input-Output unit: It also allows the computer to manage
its own resources such as memory, monitor, keyboard, printer, etc.
 Management of these resources is required for effective and fair
utilization.
Multitasking: It manages memory and allows multiple programs to
run in their own space and even communicate with each other
through shared memory.
Manages memory and Files: It manages the computer’s main
memory and second storage. Additionally, it allows and deallocates
memory to all tasks and applications.
Provides Security: It helps to maintain the system and applications
safe through the authorization process. Thus, the OS provides
security to the system.

For more, refer to Need of Operating Systems.

Functions of the Operating System

Resource Management: The operating system manages and
allocates memory, CPU time, and other hardware resources among
the various programs and processes running on the computer.
Process Management: The operating system is responsible for
starting, stopping, and managing processes and programs. It also
controls the scheduling of processes and allocates resources to them.
Memory Management: The operating system manages the
computer's primary memory and provides mechanisms for optimizing
memory usage.
Security: The operating system provides a secure environment for
the user, applications, and data by implementing security policies
and mechanisms such as access controls and encryption.
Job Accounting: It keeps track of time and resources used by various
jobs or users.
File Management: The operating system is responsible for
organizing and managing the file system, including the creation,
deletion, and manipulation of files and directories.
Device Management: The operating system manages input/output
devices such as printers, keyboards, mice, and displays. It provides
the necessary drivers and interfaces to enable communication
between the devices and the computer.
 Networking: The operating system provides networking capabilities
such as establishing and managing network connections, handling
network protocols, and sharing resources such as printers and files
over a network.
User Interface: The operating system provides a user interface that
enables users to interact with the computer system. This can be a
Graphical User Interface (GUI), a Command-Line Interface (CLI), or a
combination of both.
Backup and Recovery: The operating system provides mechanisms
for backing up data and recovering it in case of system failures,
errors, or disasters.
Virtualization: The operating system provides virtualization
capabilities that allow multiple operating systems or applications to
run on a single physical machine. This can enable efficient use of
resources and flexibility in managing workloads.
Performance Monitoring: The operating system provides tools for
monitoring and optimizing system performance, including identifying
bottlenecks, optimizing resource usage, and analyzing system logs
and metrics.
Time-Sharing: The operating system enables multiple users to share
a computer system and its resources simultaneously by providing
time-sharing mechanisms that allocate resources fairly and
efficiently.
System Calls: The operating system provides a set of system calls
that enable applications to interact with the operating system and
access its resources. System calls provide a standardized interface
between applications and the operating system, enabling portability
and compatibility across different hardware and software platforms.
Error-detecting Aids: These contain methods that include the error
messages, and other debugging and error-detecting methods.

For more, refer to Functions of Operating System.

Objectives of Operating Systems

Let us now see some of the objectives of the operating system, which
are mentioned below.
 Convenient to use: One of the objectives is to make the computer
system more convenient to use in an efficient manner.
User Friendly: To make the computer system more interactive with a
more convenient interface for the users.
Easy Access: To provide easy access to users for using resources by
acting as an intermediary between the hardware and its users.
Management of Resources: For managing the resources of a
computer in a better and faster way.
Controls and Monitoring: By keeping track of who is using which
resource, granting resource requests, and mediating conflicting
requests from different programs and users.
Fair Sharing of Resources: Providing efficient and fair sharing of
resources between the users and programs.

Types of Operating Systems

Batch Operating System: A Batch Operating System is a type of
operating system that does not interact with the computer directly.
There is an operator who takes similar jobs having the same
requirements and groups them into batches.
Time-sharing Operating System: Time-sharing Operating System is
a type of operating system that allows many users to share computer
resources (maximum utilization of the resources).
Distributed Operating System: Distributed Operating System is a
type of operating system that manages a group of different
computers and makes appear to be a single computer. These
operating systems are designed to operate on a network of
computers. They allow multiple users to access shared resources and
communicate with each other over the network. Examples include
Microsoft Windows Server and various distributions of Linux
designed for servers.
Network Operating System: Network Operating System is a type of
operating system that runs on a server and provides the capability to
manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other
networking functions.
 Real-time Operating System: Real-time Operating System is a type
of operating system that serves a real-time system and the time
interval required to process and respond to inputs is very small.
These operating systems are designed to respond to events in real
time. They are used in applications that require quick and
deterministic responses, such as embedded systems, industrial
control systems, and robotics.
Multiprocessing Operating System: Multiprocessor Operating
Systems are used in operating systems to boost the performance of
multiple CPUs within a single computer system. Multiple CPUs are
linked together so that a job can be divided and executed more
quickly.
Single-User Operating Systems: Single-User Operating Systems are
designed to support a single user at a time. Examples include
Microsoft Windows for personal computers and Apple macOS.
Multi-User Operating Systems: Multi-User Operating Systems are
designed to support multiple users simultaneously. Examples include
Linux and Unix.
Embedded Operating Systems: Embedded Operating Systems are
designed to run on devices with limited resources, such as
smartphones, wearable devices, and household appliances.
Examples include Google's Android and Apple's iOS.
Cluster Operating Systems: Cluster Operating Systems are
designed to run on a group of computers, or a cluster, to work
together as a single system. They are used for high-performance
computing and for applications that require high availability and
reliability. Examples include Rocks Cluster Distribution and OpenMPI.

For more, refer to Types of Operating Systems.

How to Choose the Operating System?

There are so many factors to be considered while choosing the best
Operating System for our use. These factors are mentioned below.

Price Factor: Price is one of the factors to choose the correct

Operating System as there are some OS that is free, like Linux, but
 there is some more OS that is paid like Windows and macOS.
Accessibility Factor: Some Operating Systems are easy to use like
macOS and iOS, but some OS are a little bit complex to understand
like Linux. So, you must choose the Operating System in which you
are more accessible.
Compatibility factor: Some Operating Systems support very less
applications whereas some Operating Systems supports more
application. You must choose the OS, which supports the
applications which are required by you.
Security Factor: The security Factor is also a factor in choosing the
correct OS, as macOS provide some additional security while
Windows has little fewer security features.

Examples of Operating Systems

Windows (GUI-based, PC)
GNU/Linux (Personal, Workstations, ISP, File, and print server,
Three-tier client/Server)
macOS (Macintosh), used for Apple's personal computers and
workstations (MacBook, iMac).
Android (Google's Operating System for
smartphones/tablets/smartwatches)
iOS (Apple's OS for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch)

MCQ's on Operating System

1. The Operating System is which type of software?

(A) System software

(B) Application software

(C) Both a and b

(D) None of the above

Solution:

The correct option is A, i.e., System software

2. Which of the following is not an example of an Operating
System?

(A) Windows

(B) Linux

(C) Mac OS

(D) MS-Word

Solution:

The correct option is D, i.e., MS-Word Windows, Linux, Mac OS, all
3 are examples of operating system whereas MS-Word is an
example of application software.

3. Which characteristic property prevents unauthorized access to

programs and data?

(A) Security

(B) Data Management

(C) Device management

(D) Control of system performance

Solution:

The correct option is A, i.e, Security. A Security prevents

unauthorized access to programs and data by means of passwords
or some kind of protection technique.

4. Which characteristic property allocates and de-allocates the

resources and also decides who gets the resource?

(A) Security

(B) File Management

(C) Device management

(D) Control of System performance

Solution:

The correct option is C, i.e., Device management

​ evice management is the operating system function responsible
D
for allocating and de-allocating hardware resources to processes,
ensuring efficient and controlled access to system hardware.​

5. _____________ is designed in such a way that it can manage

the overall resources and operations of the computer.

(A) Operating System

(B) File Management

(C) Device management

(D) None of the above

Solution:

The correct option is A, i.e, Operating System

The operating system is designed in such a way that it can
manage overall resources and operations of the computer.

Conclusion
This article provided information on the Operating System which
controls the hardware and software resources of a computer system, It
interfaces between users and computer hardware machinery and gets a
program to execute by taking care of the allocation of memory, file
system, inputs/outputs and device control among others.

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