Operating System
(Part – 1)
Operating System (Part – 1)
An Operating System (OS) is a program which acts as an interface between the user
and the computer hardware.
Operating system is an organized collection or integrated set of specialized
programs that controls the overall operations of a computer.
It is a program that must be on any computer for proper booting.
An operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like file
management, memory management, process management, handling input and
output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
An operating system is software that enables applications to interact with a
computer's hardware.
The software that contains the core components of the operating system is called
the kernel.
2
Operating System (Part – 1)
• The dominant general-purpose personal computer operating system is Microsoft
Windows with a market share of around 74.99%. macOS by Apple Inc. is in second
place (14.84%), and the varieties of Linux are collectively in third place (2.81%).
• The dominant general-purpose personal computer operating system is Microsoft
Windows with a market share of around 74.99%. macOS by Apple Inc. is in second
place (14.84%), and the varieties of Linux are collectively in third place (2.81%).
Functions of Operating System
Booting
Booting is a process of starting the computer operating system starts the computer to
work. It checks the computer and makes it ready to work.
Memory Management
• The memory cannot be managed without operating system.
• Different programs and data execute in memory at one time.
• If there is no operating system, the programs may mix with each other. The system will
not work properly.
Loading and Execution
• A program is loaded in the memory before it can be executed. Operating system
provides the facility to load programs in memory easily and then execute it.
Data security
• Data is an important part of computer system. The operating system protects the data
stored on the computer from illegal use, modification or deletion.
Disk Management
• Operating system manages the disk space. It manages the stored files and folders in a
proper way.
Process Management
• CPU can perform one task at one time. if there are many tasks, operating system
decides which task should get the CPU
Device Controlling
• Operating system also controls all devices attached to computer. The hardware devices
are controlled with the help of small software called device drivers.
3
Operating System (Part – 1)
Providing interface
• It is used in order that user interface acts with a computer mutually. User interface
controls how you input data and instruction and how information is displayed on screen.
• The operating system offers two types of the interface to the user -:
• Graphical-line interface -: It interacts with of visual environment to
communicate with the computer. It uses windows, icons, menus and other
graphical objects to issues commands.
• Command-line interface -: it provides an interface to communicate with the
computer by typing commands.
4
Operating System (Part – 1)
Type of OS
1. Batch Processing Operating System
• In this operating system, a number of jobs are put together and executed as a group.
• This operating system is a responsible for scheduling the jobs according to priority and
the resource required.
• [Link].
2. Single User Operating System
• It is a type of operating system which allows only one user at a time.
• Operating system for personal computer (PC) is a single user OS.
• They are designed to manage one task at a time.
• e.g. MS-DOS, Windows 9X.
3. Multi User Operating System
• This OS allows multiple users to access a computer system concurrently.
• It is used in computer networks that allows same data and applications to be accessed
by multiple users at the same time.
• e.g. VMS.
4. Multi-Tasking Operating System
• In this operating system, more than one processes can be executed concurrently. It also
allows the user to switch between the running applications.
• e.g. Linux, Unix, Windows 95.
5
Operating System (Part – 1)
5. Time Sharing Operating System
• This operating system allows multiple programs to simultaneously share the computer
resources. It provides to each process to be run on.
• e.g. Mac OS.
6. Real Time Operating Sytem (RTOS)
• These operating systems are designed to respond to an event within a predetermined
time.
• They are often used in applications such as flight reservation system, military
applications, etc. is types of operating system increase the availability and reliability of
the system. e.g. Linux etc.
User Interface
• The user interface is one of the most important parts of any operating system. It allows
users to easily access and communicate with the applications and the hardware.
• The user can interact with the computer by using mainly two kinds of interface -:
1. Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• It is a computer program that enables a person to communicate with a computer through
the use of symbols, visual metaphors and pointing devices. It is best known for its
implementation in Apple products.
• The first graphical user interface was designed by Xerox Corporation in 1970s. GUIs can
be found in handheld devices such as MP3 players, portable media Player, gaming
devises, etc.
6
Operating System (Part – 1)
2. Character User Interface (CUI)
• It is also known as Command Line Interface (CLI).
• CUI is a mechanism of interacting with a computer system or software by typing,
commands to perform specific tasks.
• CUI only uses text types one after another just as commands used in MS-DOS.
Booting
• Booting is starting up a computer or computer appliance until it can be used. It can be
initiated by hardware such as a Start button or by software command.
There are two types of booting -:
• Cold Booting -: When a computer is turned ON after it has been completely shutdown.
• Warm Booting -: When a computer is restarted by pressing the combination of Ctrl +
Alt + Del keys or by restart button.
Important Terminologies
• Spooling is the process of sending data to a spool (or buffers or temporary storage
area) of computer’s memory.
• Kernel is the core of the operating system that supports the process by providing a path
to the peripheral devices.
• Shell is the program which interprets commands given by the user.
• Thread is a task that runs with other tasks concurrently within the same process.