What is Operating System? Types of Operating System

 Introduction to Operating System

In this article, we will discuss the various operating system types that are necessary for every computer, but before that, let us know what you mean by the operating system?

What do you mean by the Operating System?

Operating System:

An Operating System is usually considered the vital component of any computer system for its functions effectively and efficiently. Moreover, the operating system is considered the type of software interface between the user and hardware device, or it can be said to bridge the gap between the user interface and the hardware device. 

It generally allows the particular users to communicate effectively and efficiently with the respective device and perform the various desired functions.

The operating system usually uses two different components to manage computer programs and their applications effectively. The two different components are as follows:

1)   The Kernel: Kernel is usually considered the core inner part of the component that usually makes the processing of the detailed data at the hardware level effective. It is also responsible for handling various input-output management, memory, and processing management.

2)     The Shell: Shell is usually considered another critical component used by the operating system. The Shell is usually the outermost layer used to manage the interactions between the user and the operating system systematically. The communication in the Shell is usually done by taking a particular input from the particular user or the shell script. 

A shell script is usually defined as the sequence of the system command that is effectively stored in the particular file and made available to be used by the particular individual for communication whenever needed by him.

 

Essential Functions of an Operating System:

The various functions of an operating system are as follows:

·       Booting: Booting is usually considered the essential function performed by the operating system; booting means managing the startup of the device.

·       Memory Management: An Operating system helps in the memory management that helps coordinate the various computer applications and allocation of space to the different programs usually installed on the particular computer.

·       Data Security: Another essential function of the operating system is that it helps protect the data from cyber-attacks.

·       Device control: Operating system helps an individual to allow and block access to the devices.

Moving further, it was seen that most operating systems come pre-installed on a particular device in today's world. Still, when the user wants to make changes or up-gradation, it is quite possible now to improve the performance of the device.

Types of Operating System

The different types of the operating system that are available are as follows:

1)   Batch-Operating System: The batch-operating system is usually considered one of the most essential operating systems. In the Batch-operating system, the critical point is that they did not make direct interaction with the computer. In this operating system, there is an existence of the operator responsible for taking the same type of job that has the exact requirement and then making them into single batches.

Advantages:

·       It is not easy to guess the time required to complete any particular job in the Batch-operating system. Nevertheless, the processors of the particular batch system are generally aware of how long the job would be when it is in the queue.

·       In the Batch-operating system, the idle time is relatively minor.

·       In a Batch-operating system, it is quite possible to make management of large workloads.

Disadvantages:

·       Debugging is quite challenging in the Batch-operating system.

·       The backlog problem is due to any failure in the particular system.

 

2)  Time-sharing Operating System: In the time-sharing operating system, the task that is to be executed are generally allocated with the time in which they get executed, which implies that each particular user gets a separate time of the C.P.U according to their requirements as they make use of the the the single system. This type of operating system is termed the Time-sharing operating system.

 

Advantages:

·       Each task will be allocated with the time for their smooth execution.

·       The idle time related to the C.P.U will be reduced.

 

Disadvantages:

·       Problem-related to the Data Communication.

·       Problem-related to the reliability.

 

3)  Distributed Operating System: In general, the Distributed operating system is generally considered the most important and the most recent advancement in the field of technology; in the Distributed operating system, different autonomous, interconnected computers establish strong communication with the help of the shared communication network. The fantastic benefit of using the Distributed operating system is that the individual can access the files or the software that are not usually present on his system but are present on the other system connected with the same network.

 

Advantages:

·       All the connected systems are independent of each other, which means the failure of one particular system will not impact the other system's workflow.

·       The unusual delay in the data processing is generally reduced to a greater extent.

 

Disadvantages:

·       The entire communication will get lost if the primary network faces failure.

·       The language which is required for the establishment of the Distributed operating system is not well defined.

 

4)  Real-Time Operating System: In a Real-Time Operating System, the required time to process and respond to the desired inputs is a bit less, and the time interval is called to be the response time.

The real-Time operating system is generally of two types they are as follows:

a)    Hard Real-Time Operating System: It is used in applications where the time constraints are supposed to be very strict, and even the shortest delay is not acceptable.

 

b)   Soft Real-Time systems: They are generally used in applications with no limit for the time constraint.

 

Advantages:

·       Real-Time Operating is generally free from error.

·       The best memory allocation management is usually achieved in the Real-Time Operating System.

 

Disadvantages:

·       The use of the Algorithm is quite complex

·       and makes use of expensive system resources.