UNIT - 1

OPERATING SYSTEM BASICS

 OPERATING SYSTEM
• It can be defined as a set of programs that control
how the system works.
• It is the most important program that runs on the
computer.
• It is considered as the backbone of the
computer,managing both the software and the
hardware resources.
• It is called as the important component of the
computer system.
•It provides the interface between the users and the
hardware of the computer system.
•It performs the basic tasks ,such as recognizing input
from the keyboard, sending output to the display
screen, keeping the track of files on the disk and
controlling pheripheral devices such as printers .
•It is responsible for security, ensuring that
unauthorised users do not access the system.
•More than one type of operating systems can be
installed on one computer but at one time only one
OS will be functional.
•Examples of OS are:---MS-DOS,OS/2,unix,window
98,window XP,window Vista,window 7and Linux.
 FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING SYSTEM
• It works as the interface between the computer
hardware and software.
• Process Management that is,assignment of processer
to different tasks being performed by the computer
system.
• Memory Management that is,allocation of main
memory and storage areas to the system programs
as well as user programs.
• Input/Ouput Management that is,assignment of the
different input/output devices to one or more
programs ,while they are being executed.

•File Management that is,creation of new

file,modification in the existing file,copying/moving a file
from one stoarge location to another.
•Interpretation of commands or instructions.
•Establishment of the data security and data integrity, so
that auauthorised users does not access the system.

•It provides the easy communication between the

computer system and the computer user.
 CLASSIFICATION OF OPERATING
SYSTEM
• Single user operating system.
• Multi user operating system.
• Single tasking operating system.
• Multi tasking operating system.
• Multi programming operating system.
• Single processing operating system.
• Multi processing operating system.
• Multi threading operating system.
• Time sharing operating system.
• Real time operating system.
• Online operating system.
• Batch processing operating system.
•Single user operating system
It is a type of OS that is developed and intended for use on
the computer that will only have a single user at a given
time,(i.e. only one person can use the machine at a time and
operating system is available to the single user at a time.
For Example :MSDOS(Microsoft Disk Operating System).
•Multi user operating system
It allows multiple users on different computers to access a
single system with one operating system on it.It allows two or
more users to run programs at the same time.
It is more complex in nature and bigger in size and more
costly as compared to the single user operating system.
For Example :windows-2000, windows-NT and windows 2003.
•Single tasking operating system
It can process one application at a time.The user can only work on
one appliaction at a time i.e. user can’t start another application
till the processing of one application has been finished by the OS.
For Example : MSDOS(Microsoft Disk Operating System).
•Multi tasking operating system
It is that type of OS that is capable of running more than one
application at a time. It is having the property of multitasking.
It improves the overall efficiency of the computer.
For Example :at some time you might be downloading something
from the internet,as well as you are writing the mail to your
friend and listening music also.
For Example: windows-2000, windows-NT and windows-
Vista, windows-XP.
•Multi programming operating system
It refers to the execution of two or more different and
independent programs by the same computer.In this way,two or
more programs resides in main memory and executed
concurently.This is done by switching the CPU from one program
to another instantaneously.Since there is only one
processor,there can be no true simultaneous execution of
different programs.Instead, OS executes part of one
program,then part of another and so on and to the user it
appears that all the programs are executing at the same time.
For Example,let us say there are two programs waiting in the
pool to be executed by the CPU,so the Os picks the first program
and executes.
IF the program has some I/O operations involved,then it puts
the program in the queue and picks the second program and
executes,meanwhile first program receiving its inputs.

Since the working of OS and CPU will be fast,it looks as if both

the programs are executed simultaneously.
Some multi-programming operating systems are :Windows-
2000,Windows-XP,Windows-Vista and Windows-NT
•Time sharing operating system
In timesharing,the CPU is divided among different users
on a scheduled basis.Therefore,each user is given a brief
share of the CPU time unlike multi-programming,where
CPU is allocated to programs on priority basis.The brief
share of CPU time is called time slide or time slot .
The timesharing operating system keeps only few
programs in the main memory and rest are stored in the
disk storage.The program remains in the hard disk until it
is not active and when CPU time is allocated to it the
program is brought to the main memory.This is called as
SWAPPING.
•Single processing operating system
It is designed to work with one processoer/CPU.Desktop
cpmputers and laptops are generally uniprocessor.
For Example :Windows 98,Windows-ME etc.

•Multi processing operating system

It allows a program to run on more than one central processing
unit at a time.If one of the CPU breaks down ,the other CPU will
automatically takes over its job.This is called Parallel
Processing.
For Example:Windows-2000,UNIX and LINUX.
•Multi threading operating system
It allows different parts of a single program(thread) to run
concurently.These threads will be alternately active,suspended
or destroyed,according to the priority arranged or run
Simultaneously.For Example : Windows-2000,UNIX and LINUX.
•Online operating system
The processing is performed under the direct control of the
CPU while at the same time the user remains in
communication with the computer.
Time sharing is the example of online processing.There is
direct contact with the CPU,so access and retrieval of records
are quick and direct.
•Real time operating system
It is an OS that has been developed for the real time
applications.It responds to input instantly.These are commonly
found and used in Robotics.
For Example:”LYNX” is an example of a real time operating
System.
•Batch processing operating system
In earlier computers,the users didn’t interact directly with
the System,instead the user prepare the job which
consisted of program,data and some information about
the nature of the job and submit it to the computer
operator.
OPERATING SYSTEM CONCEPTS
PROCESS:------
A process is basically a program in execution.Eachunit of
execution( process) may be further broken down into even
smaller units of execution.The smallest unit of execution is called
thread.The process generates another process which become its
child.The structure of the processes is called process tree.
As a process executes,it changes state:---
New:--the process is being executed.
Running:---Instructions are being executed.
Waiting:--the process is waiting to be assigned to a processor.
Terminated :---the process has finished execution.
A

C
B

D F
E

A PROCESS TREE
FILES:---
The information or data are stored in the form of files.
PIPES:---
It is a sort of file that can be used to connect two processes
together.These can be used for the inter-process
communication.
SHELLS:----
It is the command interpreter for the OS.Operating System
receives commands from the user in English like language that
computer doesn’t understand.It is the job of the command
interpreter to interpret the instructions given by the user into
machine understandable language.
SYSTEM CALLS :---
It is not always required that the user is directly interacting
with the OS for creating files,directories .User may use
available application program like text editor,to create files for
storing their data.Application programs communicate with the
OS and request services from it by making System Calls.Each
System calls requires certain parameters to be given using
which OS understands clearly as what is needed.
KERNALS:---
It is the central module of an OS.It is the part of the OS that
loads first ,and remains in the main memory.
It is responsible for the memory management ,process and
task management and disk management.
THROUGHPUT:--
It is the total volume of work performed by the system over a
given period of time.

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