Operating Systems Overview
Operating Systems Overview
Overview
Designed for 4th Semester Students of GTU
(Gujarat Technical University)
What is an Operating System
An operating system (OS) is an interface
between hardware and user which is
responsible for the management and
coordination of activities and the sharing of
the resources of the computer that acts as a
host for computing applications run on the
machine.
Software that controls the allocation and
usage of hardware resources such as
memory, CPU time, disk space, and input
and output devices.
The foundation software of a machine; that
which schedules tasks, allocates storage,
and presents a default interface to the user
between applications.
Operating System Overview
User
Application
Operating System
Hardware
Operating System Functions
Itmanages 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
Type
of Operating
Definition
SystemsExample of Use
Batch Processing System Data or programs are collected grouped and Payroll, stock control and billing systems.
processed at a later date.
Real-time Systems Inputs immediately affect the outputs. Timing is e.g. control of nuclear power plants, oil refining,
critical etc.
Real-time transaction Inputs immediately affect the outputs but timing Holiday and airline booking system.
is not critical.
Online processing Processing performed under the direct control of
the CPU
Offline processing Processing which is done away from CPU. e.g. batching together of lock cards, filling in
OMR forms.
Multi-access on-line Any users linked by workstations to a central Holiday or airline booking system. One person
computer such as in a must be locked out when another is updating the
Network. file.
Interactive processing The user has to be present and program cannot Select from a menu at
proceed until there is some input from the user ATM.
Distributed system Processing is carried out independently in more Databases e.g. libraries.
than one location, but with shared and
controlled access to some common facilities.
Multiprogramming: Ability to run many programs apparently at the Mainframe systems.
same time.
Multi tasking The ability to hold several programs in RAM at Usually uses GUI’s. Facilitates import and export
one time but the user switches between them. of data.
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
chapters.
Read it again and head for the next chapter