Operating System Basics

 Operating System

The operating system is an important components of the computer 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 a computer. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. All computers must have an operating system used for starting the computer and to run other programs. It provides an interface between the users and the hardware of a computer system.

Functions Of Operating System

1. It works as an interface between computers hardware and software.

2. Process management , that is assignment of processor to different tasks being performed by the computer system.

3. Memory management, that is , allocation of main memory and other storage areas to the system programs as well as users programs.

4. Input/Output Management, that is, assignment of the different input/output devices to one or more programs, while they are being executed.

5. Interpretation of commands or instructions.

Classification of operating systems

▪️ Single user operating system

▪️ Multi user operating system

▪️ Single tasking operating system

▪️ Multi tasking 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

A single user operating system is a type of operating system that is developed and intended for use on a computer that will only have a single user at any 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.

◾Multi user operating system

A multi user operating system is a type of operating system that allows multiple users on different computers or terminals to access a single system with one operating system on it. It allows two or more users to run programs at the same time.

◾ Single tasking operating system

Single tasking operating systems are those operating systems that can process one application at a time. The user can only work on one application at a time; i.e. user can't start another application till the processing of one application has been finished by the operating system.

◾Multi tasking operating system

A multi tasking operating system is a type of operating system that is capable of running more than one application at a time.

◾ Single processing operating system

Single processing operating systems are designed to work one processor/CPU. Desktop computers and laptops are generally uniprocessor systems.

◾ Multi processing operating system

A multi processing operating system 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 also called parallel processing.