It is a common question among students to ask, "What is an operating system and what kinds are there?". Understanding what it means, however, is different. When you turn on a computer, the operating system is the first program to be loaded. The user interface is something between a user and a computer, so it translates the instructions provided by the user from a high-level language to a machine language that the computer can understand. As well as managing memory, handling input, and other basic tasks, it provides many other functions as well.
Let’s focus on the two components of the operating system –
- Shell –As the interface between the user and the operating system, the Shell is the outer part of the operating system. Whether it is input from the user or shell script, it is the method of interacting with the operating system.
- Kernel – Computer hardware communicates with the processor through the communication medium. A program that runs inside the operating system manages the resources available to other programs.
Evaluating The Functions Of The Operating System
OS are crucial to a computer's operation since they provide a link between the hardware and the user, and they control how programs are executed.
Let’s discuss the functions of the operating system in detail –
- Processor Management –
- The environment where programs need to run is multiprogramming, as we all know. When and for how long the operating system gives the processor to each process depends on the process. Process scheduling is the process of giving the processor to each process at a specific time.
- Device Management – The program cannot be completed without input and output devices. These input and output devices are controlled by the operating system. As soon as a job requests these devices, they receive that request, and after they receive that request, they perform a specific task, and then they communicate that reaction back to the job requesting process.
- Memory Management – The topic of primary memory and main memory may be familiar to all of you. A word in primary memory has an address, and each word in main memory has a different address. One of its advantages is that it provides fast storage that can be accessed directly from the CPU. The main memory must contain the program when it is run.
- File Management – In other words, it means that an operating system keeps a journal of the actions taken when creating, deleting, transferring, copying, and storing files. A system determines the allocations of resources, who gets the resources, and when to de-allocate the resources.
Now, It’s Time To Focus On The Types Of Operating Systems.
It is through these types of operating systems that you can gain a better understanding of their history and how they work. Specifically, there are six types of operating systems, which are as follows:
Batch Operating System
"FCFS (First Come First Serve)" is always the basis of Batch Operating Systems. In addition to not interacting directly with the computer system, it is the first operating system of the second generation. According to the "FCFS" concept, batches of similar operations are grouped together and then executed one by one by the Batch operating system. Various operating systems are available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Time-sharing systems
With time-sharing systems, each job is allotted a certain amount of time, which ensures that everything gets done in a proper and effective manner. Using this method, the CPU time can be shared by many users. One user is responsible for the task, or different users are responsible for the task. The quantum displays the number of hours allocated for completing a specific job. After one task is complete, another is assigned.
Distributed System
Overcoming the limitations of batch and time-sharing operating systems. Distributed operating systems represent a significant advancement in computer technology. A shared communications network connects all computers to one another. It is possible to have some systems that are independent which use their CPU and memory unit to handle Real-time events. It is easy for one user to access the files or software located on other systems within the network by using shared systems.
Network sharing systems
Through a small private network, users can also share files, printers, and other resources. One advantage is that all users are familiar with the underlying configuration of all other networks. Since they are all linked to the same server, data, groups, users, security, applications, and other networking functions are handled. Thus, such systems are referred to as tightly coupled.
Real-Time Operating Systems
Response times are referred to as time intervals in real-time systems. A very short period of time is available for tasks to be processed and to respond to inputs. It is beneficial to use real-time systems when a large number of events occur quickly and there are strict deadlines to meet, such as in real-time simulations.
I now hope you have a better understanding of operating systems and what makes them different. In this blog, if you read thoroughly then you can easily understand the concept of an operating system and you can easily write your operating system assignments by yourself.
Conclusion
It is important to understand how operating systems play a role in computer technology. Computers cannot function without operating systems. Among the various application programs, operating systems play a vital role in coordinating and controlling the use of hardware.
