What Is An Operating System
Being a machine, the computer cannot do anything on its own. It requires specific instructions on how to perform each and every task. Further, the instructions are to be converted into a language, which a machine understands. It means that the user cannot communicate with a computer directly. An interface is required between the user and the Hardware.
The operating system acts as an interface. The computer interprets the instructions given by the user with the help of an operating system. It is the master program, which makes computers alive and helps to run different applications.
EXAMPLE
The operating system is just like a school principal. A principal has various responsibilities to perform, such as managing the school, supervising students, teachers, and workers, then maintaining discipline, analyzing the examination schedule, timetable, curriculum, meeting parents, and visitors.
Likewise, a number of services are provided by an operating system. Imagine, what will happen if there is no principal in a school. Everything will become unorganized. Similarly, if not working on a computer, it will not able to perform any operation.
The operating system acts as a central coordinator between hardware and software. Hardware provides a user with basic physical resources to work upon. The application/Utility software empowers the user to perform a variety of functions on the computer, such as solving problems, creating documents, playing games, ETC.
NEED FOR AN OPERATING SYSTEM
I guess, almost every one of you must have tried your hands on these fancy gadgets. The game board, joystick, remote, monitor, and disk holder, all fall into the category of hardware. However, the game, its characters, the sound and animation effects, fall in the category of software.
How you ever imagined how the hardware components interact with the software components? It is at this point that the need for an operating system is realized. Hardware is nothing, but well-crafted and beautifully engineered machinery. We need an interface, which fills the communication gap between the hardware and a user.
An operating system encompasses all operations, such as :
What to do?
When to do it?
How to do it?
If you have to perform an action-based stunt during the game, you simply press the required buttons in the given order. This information is passed on to the operating system, which takes care of the final outcome by handling :
What to do? - To perform a set of moves for the game character.
When to do it? - When the required buttons are to be pressed in a correct sequence
How to do it? - Through proper communication with the
Application software, and instructing it about the correct motion of
the player as seen on the screen.
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
In the past three decades, computers have taken a giant stride towards excellence and high performance. From bulky physical configurations, computers have miraculously transformed into one of the most powerful, yet completely portable devices.
Similarly, operating systems have also been developed at a rapid pace to serve the needs of users. Following are the different types of operating systems :
SINGLE USER OPERATING SYSTEM
Single user operating system was the initial version of the operating system that allowed only one user to work with the computer at a time. The most popular Single User Operating Systems were: Microsoft DOS, Microsoft Windows 3.1, Microsoft Windows 95. Due to their limited features, they are no longer in use nowadays.
MULTI-USER OPERATING SYSTEM
A multi-user operating system allows more than one user to use the same computer at the same time or at different times. Some Operating Systems, which fall in this category are Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Linux, Unix. Windows 2000 was the first version of Windows, which allowed the creation of several user accounts on a single machine.
MULTI-PROCESSOR OPERATING SYSTEM
A Multi-Processor system consists of several processors that share a common physical memory. In this system, all processors operate under a single operating system. It provides higher computing power and speed that allows users to run and work in multiple applications at the same time. The execution of several tasks by different processors at the same time increases the system’s performance.
MULTI-TASKING OPERATING SYSTEM
The ability to perform more than one task together at one time is called Multi-tasking. An operating system, which is capable of doing multiple tasks or processes while using a common processing resource, i.e., using only one CPU is called a Multi-Tasking operating system. It switches from one program to another so quickly that it gives the appearance of executing all programs at the same time. Today, most operating systems fall under this category.
Examples are : Unix, Linux, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, etc.
MULTI-THREADING OPERATING SYSTEM
These operating systems allow different parts of a software program to run simultaneously. The feature of multi-threading can delay the execution response of certain processes. For example, if you host a Game server on LAN; your friends will utilize different parts of the same game by connecting to your machine at the same time. All resources will be utilized from your machine, which can be a performance-degrading factor. The common examples of such operating systems are : Windows NT/2000, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Unix, Linux, etc.
RTOS (REAL-TIME OPERATING SYSTEM)
RTOS is designed to handle real-life scenarios and problems. Such operating systems have the capability to prioritize the processes, minimize execution time, and work independently with no interdependencies.
The real-time operating system is used when the time span required to react to input is rigid and time-bound. Even a microsecond of delay will cause the system to fail.
Examples are : Air traffic control, Robots, Weapon systems, and industrial control systems.
There are two types of Real-Time Operating systems:
Hard Real-time systems: These systems guarantee that critical tasks are completed in time.
Soft Real-time systems: These systems are less restrictive. Examples are : Undersea exploration, Planetary rovers, and Virtual reality.
DISTRIBUTED OPERATING SYSTEM
A distributed operating system runs on a set of computers that are located in different geographical areas, interconnected by a network. It controls these interconnected systems and makes them appear as a single computer. It allows all the linked machines to access data and software, and the process takes over the common network from different computers, irrespective of their location on the globe.
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