Operating Systems

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Operating System
• An operating system (OS) is a software program.
• The OS is an example of system software—software that controls the
system's hardware and that interacts with the user and application
software.
• In short, the operating system is the computer's master control
program. The OS provides you with the tools (commands) that enable
you to interact with the PC. When you issue a command, the OS
translates it into code that the machine can use. The OS ensures that
the results of your actions are displayed on screen, printed, and so on.

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Operating System
• The operating system performs the following functions:
• Displays the on-screen elements with which you interact—(The user
interface).
• Loads programs (such as MS Word) into the computer’s memory so that you
can use them.
• Interacts with computer's hardware.
• Manages the way information is stored on and retrieved from disks.

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Types of Operating Systems
• Single user/single-tasking
• Single-user/multitasking
• Multi-user/multitasking
• Real-time

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Single-User, Single Task
• OS designed to manage the computer so that one user can
effectively do one thing at a time

Example: MS-DOS is an example single-tasking single-user OS with

a command line interface.

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Single-User, Multi-
Tasking
• Most popular OS

• Used by most of PCs and Laptops

• Lets a single user interact with several programs,

simultaneously

Example: Windows, Mac OS, Linux

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 Multi-User
• A multi-user OS allows many users to take advantage of the
computer's resources, simultaneously

Example: Linux, Windows Servers

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RTOS
• Used to run computers embedded in machinery, robots, scientific
instruments and industrial systems.

• An important part of an RTOS is managing the resources of the computer

so that a particular operation executes in precisely the same amount of
time every time it occurs

• Example: Real-time Linux

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Operating System Function:
• Providing user interface
• Running programs
• Managing hardware

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 User Interface
• Users communicate with the computer using
a consistent user interface provided by the OS
• This UI can be a command-line interface in
which a user types in the commands.
Example:
copy a:/file1.html
c:/file1.html
• Or, it can be a graphical UI, where Windows,
Icons, Menus, and a Pointing device (such as a
mouse) is used to receive and display
information. Example:
With the help of the mouse, drag
file1.html from drive a to drive c
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Running Programs
• Reading the contents of a file from disk into memory.
• Saving the contents of files to a disk.
• Allocating RAM among the running programs.
• Recognizing keystrokes or mouse clicks and displaying characters or
graphics on the screen.

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Processor Management
• Various programs compete for the attention of the processor.

• The OS plays the role of the honest referee, making sure that each
application gets the necessary attention required for its proper
execution.

• It tries to optimally manages the limited processing capacity of the

processor to the greatest good of all the tasks.

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Memory Management
• The OS ensures that:
• Each application has enough private memory.
• Applications do not run into other application’s private memory.

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 Storage Management
• A file system is a collection of directories, subdirectories, and files
organized in a logical order.

• The OS is responsible for maintaining the file system through

indexing of filenames and their disk location.

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Managing Hardware
• Processing Interrupts

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PC Operating Systems
• DOS
• Disk Operating System
• Single user single-tasking OS
• Command line interface
• 16-bit OS
• Fast

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PC Operating Systems
• Windows
• Many different versions
• Single user Multi-tasking
• GUI
• 32/64-bit

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PC Operating Systems
• UNIX
• Runs on all computer types
• 32- or 64-bit
• Very stable and fast
• Command-line interface
• Can cost thousands of dollars

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PC Operating Systems
• Linux
• Free or inexpensive version of UNIX
• 32-64 bit OS
• Very stable and fast
• Windows GUI
• Command line interface is available

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PC Operating Systems
• Macintosh operating systems
• Very stable and easy to configure
• Only runs on Mac hardware

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Network operating system
• Fast and stable
• Runs on servers
• Multi-user and multitasking OS
• 32- or 64-bit

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NOS Features
• File and print sharing
• Users access the same files
• Hundreds of users use a printer
• Security Management
• Access to data can be restricted
• Access to server resources is controlled
• Technology or software upgrade.

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NOS Dis-Advantages
• High cost.
• Dependent on a central location.
• Require regular maintenance.

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Networking Operating Systems
• Windows Server
• UNIX for servers
• Linux for servers

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Embedded Operating Systems
• Embedded and specifically configured for a single hardware.
• They use Real Time Operating Systems.
• Specific Tasks.
• Little memory.
• Stable and Fast.

Examples: Traffic Lights, Microwave ovens, Washing Machines, Medical

Equipment.

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Application Software
• Application software is software designed to perform a group of
coordinated functions, tasks, or activities for the benefit of the user.

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Acquiring Software
• Commercial software
• Software that must be purchased
• Stand alone products
• Solve one type of problem
• Software suites
• Integrated tools that work together
• Solve many problems
• Shareware
• Try before you buy

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Acquiring Software
• Freeware
• No obligation to purchase
• Software may be distributed freely

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Acquiring Software
• Open source
• Programs distributed with source code
• Allows users to modify the software
• Modifications and comments are welcome
• Linux

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