Operating System
Operating System
User
Application
Operating System
Hardware
OPERATING SYSTEM FUNCTIONS
It manages the hardware and software resources of
the system. In a desktop computer, these resources
include the processor, memory, disk space and
many more (On a cell phone, they include the
keypad, the screen, the address book,etc).
It provides a stable, consistent way for applications
to deal with the hardware without having to know all
the details of the hardware.
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
Type Definition Example of Use
Batch Processing System Data or programs are collected grouped Payroll, stock control and billing systems.
and processed at a later date.
Real-time Systems Inputs immediately affect the outputs. e.g. control of nuclear power plants, oil
Timing is critical refining, etc.
Real-time transaction Inputs immediately affect the outputs but Holiday and airline booking system.
timing is not critical.
Online processing Processing performed under the direct
control of the CPU
Offline processing Processing which is done away from e.g. batching together of lock cards, filling
CPU. in OMR forms.
Multi-access on-line Any users linked by workstations to a Holiday or airline booking system. One
central computer such as in a person must be locked out when another
Network. is updating the file.
Interactive processing The user has to be present and program Select from a menu at
cannot proceed until there is some input ATM.
from the user
Distributed system Processing is carried out independently Databases e.g. libraries.
in more than one location, but with
shared and
controlled access to some common
facilities.
Multiprogramming: Ability to run many programs apparently Mainframe systems.
at the same time.
Multi tasking The ability to hold several programs in Usually uses GUI’s. Facilitates import and
RAM at one time but the user switches export of data.
between them.
EXAMPLES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
Microsoft Windows
Mac OS X
Plan 9
Google Chrome OS
CONCEPTS/MODELS OF OPERATING SYSTEM
Monolithic Systems
Layered Systems
Virtual Machines