DETAILED NOTES – OPERATING SYSTEM CONCEPTS
1. Concept of Operating System (OS)
An Operating System (OS) is system software acting as an intermediary between the user
and hardware. It manages processes, memory, I/O devices, files, and ensures security and
efficient system operation. The OS functions as both a resource allocator and control
program.
2. Generations of Operating Systems
• 1st Generation – Manual operation, no OS.
• 2nd Generation – Batch processing systems.
• 3rd Generation – Multiprogramming, time-sharing.
• 4th Generation – Personal computers with GUIs.
• 5th Generation – Modern OS: mobile, distributed, intelligent systems.
3. Types of Operating Systems
• Batch OS
• Interactive OS
• Time-Sharing OS
• Real-Time OS
• Distributed OS
• Multiprocessing OS
• Clustered OS
• Mobile OS
4. OS Services
• User interface (CLI, GUI)
• Program execution
• I/O operations
• File-system manipulation
• Inter-process communication
• Error detection
• Resource allocation
• Accounting
• Protection and security
5. Interrupt Handling
Interrupts allow the CPU to respond to urgent events. Steps:
1. Device generates interrupt.
2. CPU saves state.
3. Transfers control to ISR.
4. ISR handles event.
5. CPU restores state and resumes execution.
6. System Calls
System calls are interfaces for user programs to access kernel services. Types:
• Process control
• File management
• Device management
• Communication
• Information maintenance
• Protection
7. OS Architectural Designs
• Monolithic kernel – entire OS in one large kernel.
• Layered structure – built in hierarchical layers.
• Microkernel – minimal kernel, services moved to user mode.
• Modular architecture – loadable kernel modules.
• Hybrid architecture – mix of monolithic + microkernel.
8. Concept of Virtual Machine
A Virtual Machine is a software emulation of physical hardware. Types:
• System VM – full OS virtualization.
• Process VM – supports application execution (e.g., JVM). Provides isolation, portability,
and efficient resource utilization.
9. Resource Manager View
The OS allocates CPU time, memory, files, and devices efficiently and fairly. It resolves
conflicts and prevents deadlocks.
10. Process View
OS manages processes through creation, scheduling, synchronization, communication, and
termination. Supports multitasking and resource sharing.
11. Hierarchical View
OS viewed in layered form:
Hardware → Kernel → Device Drivers → System Libraries → System Utilities → Applications
→ User Interface.