What is software?

The term software refers to the set of computer programs, procedures and associated documents
that describe the programs and how they are to be used. To be precise, software means a collection
of programs whose objective is to enhance the capabilities of the hardware machine.

Types of software

Software is often divided into three categories:

 System software also known as system package is a set of one or more programs, designed
to control the operation of a computer system. These programs do not solve specific
problems. They are general programs written to assist humans in the use of the computer
system by performing tasks, such as controlling all of the operations, required to move data
into and out of a computer and all the steps in executing an application program. E.g.
Operating System, Utility Software etc.

 Application software also known as an application package, is a set of one or more

programs designed to carry out operations for a specified application. For example, a payroll
package produces payslips as the major output. E.g. MS-Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Tally
etc.

 Custom software is the solution that is specially developed for a specific user or
organization, which is in contrast with broadly used mass-market software.

What is Operating System?

An Operating System is an integrated set of programs that is used to manage the various resources
and overall operations of a computer system. It is designed to support the activities of a computer
installation. Its prime objective is to improve the performance and efficiency of a computer system
and increase facility, the ease with which a system can be used. An operating system is responsible
for the smooth and efficient operation of the entire computer system.
Most of the operating systems perform the following functions:

1. Processor Management: assignment of processors to different tasks being performed by the

computer system.
2. Memory management: allocation of main memory and other storage areas to the system
programs as well as user programs and data.
3. Input/Output management: coordination and assignment of the different input and output
devices while one or more programs are being executed.
4. File management: the storage of files on various storage devices and the transfer of these
files form one storage device to another. It also allows all files to be easily changed and
modified through the use of text editors or some other file manipulation routines.
5. Establishment and enforcement of a job priority system: it determines and maintains the
order in which jobs are to be executed in the computer system.
6. Automatic transition from job to job as directed by special control statement.
7. Interpretation of command and instructions.
8. Coordination and assignment of compilers, assemblers utility programs and other software
to the various users of the computer system.
9. Establishment of data security and integrity: it keeps different programs and data in such a
manner that they do not interfere with each other.
10. Production of dumps, traces, error messages and other debugging and error-detecting aids.
11. Maintenance of internal time clock and log of system usage for all users.
12. Facilitates easy communication between the computer system and the computer operator.

 Operating System used in Desktops and laptops are Windows, Linux, Mac OS etc.
 Operating System used in mobiles and tablets are Android, iOS, WebOS etc.

Types of Operating System : Some of the widely used operating systems are as follows :

1. Batch Operating System: This is the simplest and oldest type of operating system. This type
of operating system does not interact with the computer directly. There is an operator which
takes similar jobs having same requirement and group them into batches. It is the
responsibility of operator to sort the jobs with similar needs.
 Advantages of Batch Operating System:
 Multiple users can share the batch systems.
 The idle time for batch system is very less
 It is easy to manage large work repeatedly in batch systems.

Disadvantages of Batch Operating System:

 The computer operators should be well known with batch systems
 Batch systems are hard to debug
 It is sometime costly
 The other jobs will have to wait for an unknown time if any job fails

Example of Batch based Operating System: Payroll System, bank Statements etc.

2. Time Sharing Operating System: Each task is given some time to execute, so that all the
tasks work smoothly. Each user gets time of CPU as they use single system. These systems
are also known as Multitasking Systems. The task can be from single user or from different
users also. The time that each task gets to execute is called quantum. After this time interval
is over Operating System switches over to next task.

Advantages of Time Sharing Operating System:

 Each task gets an equal opportunity
 Less chances of duplication of software
 CPU idle time can be reduced

Disadvantages of Time Sharing Operating System:

 Reliability problem
 One must have to take care of security and integrity of user programs and data
 Data communication problem

Examples of Time Sharing Operating Systems are : Multics, Unix, Liinux, Windows etc
3. Distributed Operating System: These types of operating system is a recent advancement in
the world of computer technology and are being widely accepted all over the world and,
that too, with a great pace. Various autonomous interconnected computers communicate
each other using a shared communication network. Independent systems possess their own
memory unit and CPU. These are referred as loosely coupled systems or distributed systems.
These system’s processors differ in size and function. The major benefit of working with
these types of operating system is that it is always possible that one user can access the files
or software which are not actually present on his system but on some other system
connected within this network i.e., remote access is enabled within the devices connected in
that network.

Advantages of Distributed Operating System:

 Failure of one will not affect the other network communication, as all systems are
independent from each other
 Electronic mail increases the data exchange speed
 Since resources are being shared, computation is highly fast and durable
 Load on host computer reduces
 These systems are easily scalable as many systems can be easily added to the
network
 Delay in data processing reduces

Disadvantages of Distributed Operating System:

 Failure of the main network will stop the entire communication
 To establish distributed systems the language which are used are not well defined
yet that the underlying software is highly complex and not understood well yet.

Examples of Distributed Operating Systems are LOCUS etc.

4. Network Operating System: These systems run on a server and provide the capability to
manage data, users, groups, securing, applications and other networking functions. These
type of operating systems allow shared access of files, printers, security, applications and
other networking functions over a small private network. One more important aspect of
Network Operating System is that all the users are well aware of the underlying
configuration, of all other users within the network, their individual connections etc. and
that’s why these computers are popularly known as tightly coupled systems.

Advantages of Network Operating System:

 Highly stable centralized servers

 Security concerns are handled through servers
 New technologies and hardware up-gradation are easily integrated to the system
 Server access are possible remotely from different locations and types of systems

Disadvantages of Network Operating System:

 Servers are costly

 User has to depend on central location for most operations
 Maintenance and updates are required regularly

Examples of Network Operating System : Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft

Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, BSD etc.

5. Real-Time Operating Systems: These types of Operating Systems serve the real-time
systems. The time interval required to process and respond to inputs is very small. This time
interval is called response time. Real-Time systems are used when there are time
requirements are very strict like missile systems, air traffic control systems, robots etc.
Two types of Real-Time Operating System which are as follows:
 Hard Real-Time Systems: These Operating Systems are meant for the applications
where time constraints are very strict and even the shortest possible delay is not
acceptable. These systems are built for saving life like automatic parachutes or air
bags which are required to be readily available in case of any accident. Virtual
memory is almost never found in these systems.

 Soft Real-Time Systems: These Operating Systems are for applications where for
time constraint is less Strict.

Advantages of RTOS:
 Maximum Consumption : Maximum utilization of devices and system, thus
more output from all the resources
 Task Shifting : Time assigned for shifting tasks in these systems are very less.
For example in older systems it takes about 10 micro seconds in shifting one
task to another and in latest systems it takes 3 micro seconds
 Focus on Application : Focus on running applications and less importance to
applications which are in queue
 Real time operating system in embedded system: Since size of programs
are small, RTOS can also be used in embedded systems like in transport and
others
 Error Free : These types of systems are error free
 Memory Allocation: Memory allocation is best managed in these type of
systems.

Disadvantaged of RTOS:
 Limited Tasks: Very few tasks run at the same time and their concentration
is very less on few applications to avoid errors.
  Use heavy system resources: Sometimes the system resources are not so
good and they are expensive as well.
 Complex Algorithms: The algorithms are very complex and difficult for the
designer to write on.
 Device driver and interrupt signals: it needs specific device drivers and
interrupt signals to response earliest to interrupts.
 Thread Priority: It is not good to set thread priority as these systems are
very less prone to switching tasks.

Example of RTOS: Scientific experiments, medical imaging systems, industrial

control systems, weapon systems, robots, air traffic control systems etc.