An operating System (OS) is an intermediary between users and computer hardware. It provides users an environment in which a user can execute programs conveniently and efficiently.
In technical terms, It is a software which manages hardware. An operating System controls the allocation of resources and services such as memory, processors, devices and information.
Definition
An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware and controls the execution of all kinds of programs.
Following are some of important functions of an operating System.
- Memory Management
- Processor Management
- Device Management
- File Management
- Security
- Control over system performance
- Job accounting
- Error detecting aids
- Coordination between other software and users
Memory Management
Memory management refers to management of Primary Memory or Main Memory. Main memory is a large array of words or bytes where each word or byte has its own address.
Main memory provides a fast storage that can be access directly by the CPU. So for a program to be executed, it must in the main memory. Operating System does the following activities for memory management.
- Keeps tracks of primary memory i.e. what part of it are in use by whom, what part are not in use.
- In multiprogramming, OS decides which process will get memory when and how much.
- Allocates the memory when the process requests it to do so.
- De-allocates the memory when the process no longer needs it or has been terminated.
Processor Management
In multiprogramming environment, OS decides which process gets the processor when and how much time. This function is called process scheduling. Operating System does the following activities for processor management.
- Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. Program responsible for this task is known as traffic controller.
- Allocates the processor(CPU) to a process.
- De-allocates processor when processor is no longer required.
Device Management
OS manages device communication via their respective drivers. Operating System does the following activities for device management.
- Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for this task is known as the I/O controller.
- Decides which process gets the device when and for how much time.
- Allocates the device in the efficient way.
- De-allocates devices.
File Management
A file system is normally organized into directories for easy navigation and usage. These directories may contain files and other directions. Operating System does the following activities for file management.
- Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc. The collective facilities are often known as file system.
- Decides who gets the resources.
- Allocates the resources.
- De-allocates the resources.
Other Important Activities
Following are some of the important activities that Operating System does.
- Security -- By means of password and similar other techniques, preventing unauthorized access to programs and data.
- Control over system performance -- Recording delays between request for a service and response from the system.
- Job accounting -- Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and users.
- Error detecting aids -- Production of dumps, traces, error messages and other debugging and error detecting aids.
- Coordination between other softwares and users -- Coordination and assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the various users of the computer systems.
Types of Operating Systems
Following are some of the most widely used types of Operating system.
- Simple Batch System
- Multiprogramming Batch System
- Multiprocessor System
- Distributed Operating System
- Realtime Operating System
SIMPLE BATCH SYSTEMS
- In this type of system, there is no direct interaction between user and the computer.
- The user has to submit a job (written on cards or tape) to a computer operator.
- Then computer operator places a batch of several jobs on an input device.
- Jobs are batched together by type of languages and requirement.
- Then a special program, the monitor, manages the execution of each program in the batch.
- The monitor is always in the main memory and available for execution.
Following are some disadvantages of this type of system :
- Zero interaction between user and computer.
- No mechanism to prioritize processes.
MULTIPROGRAMMING BATCH SYSTEMS
- In this the operating system, picks and begins to execute one job from memory.
- Once this job needs an I/O operation operating system switches to another job (CPU and OS always busy).
- Jobs in the memory are always less than the number of jobs on disk(Job Pool).
- If several jobs are ready to run at the same time, then system chooses which one to run (CPU Scheduling).
- In Non-multiprogrammed system, there are moments when CPU sits idle and does not do any work.
- In Multiprogramming system, CPU will never be idle and keeps on processing.
Time-Sharing Systems are very similar to Multiprogramming batch systems. In fact time sharing systems are an extension of multiprogramming systems.
In time sharing systems the prime focus is on minimizing the response time, while in multiprogramming the prime focus is to maximize the CPU usage.
MULTIPROCESSOR SYSTEMS
A multiprocessor system consists of several processors that share a common physical memory. Multiprocessor system provides higher computing power and speed. In multiprocessor system all processors operate under single operating system. Multiplicity of the processors and how they do act together are transparent to the others.
Following are some advantages of this type of system.
- Enhanced performance
- Execution of several tasks by different processors concurrently, increases the system's throughput without speeding up the execution of a single task.
- If possible, system divides task into many subtasks and then these subtasks can be executed in parallel in different processors. Thereby speeding up the execution of single tasks.
DISTRIBUTED OPERATING SYSTEMS
The motivation behind developing distributed operating systems is the availability of powerful and inexpensive microprocessors and advances in communication technology.
These advancements in technology have made it possible to design and develop distributed systems comprising of many computers that are inter connected by communication networks. The main benefit of distributed systems is its low price/performance ratio.
Following are some advantages of this type of system.
- As there are multiple systems involved, user at one site can utilize the resources of systems at other sites for resource-intensive tasks.
- Fast processing.
- Less load on the Host Machine.
REAL-TIME OPERATING SYSTEM
It is defined as an operating system known to give maximum time for each of the critical operations that it performs, like OS calls and interrupt handling.
The Real-Time Operating system which guarantees the maximum time for critical operations and complete them on time are referred to as Hard Real-Time Operating Systems.
While the real-time operating systems that can only guarantee a maximum of the time, i.e. the critical task will get priority over other tasks, but no assurity of completeing it in a defined time. These systems are referred to as Soft Real-Time Operating Systems.
Network operating System
Network Operating System runs on a server and and provides server the capability to manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other networking functions. The primary purpose of the network operating system is to allow shared file and printer 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 are Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, and BSD.
The advantages of network operating systems are following.
- Centralized servers are highly stable.
- Security is server managed.
- Upgrades to new technologies and hardwares can be easily integrated into the system.
- Remote access to servers is possible from different locations and types of systems.
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