Operating System

An operating system is the single most important software when you run a computer, it is what takes care of pretty much everything on a computer system, while the majority of computers we see happen to be using one type of operating system performing the same functions, operating systems can be branched into several different types as well. Its been a while since Ive shared a fairly technical post on Computer Realm so I guess today would be a good day for one.

Batch Processing Operating System

In a batch processing operating system interaction between the user and processor is limited or there is no interaction at all during the execution of work. Data and programs that need to be processed are bundled and collected as a batch and executed together. Batch processing operating systems are ideal in situations where: - There are large amounts of data to be processed. - Similar data needs to be processed. - Similar processing is involved when executing the data. The system is capable of identifying times when the processor is idle at which time batches maybe processed. Processing is all performed automatically without any user intervention.

Real-time Operating System

A real-time operating system processes inputs simultaneously, fast enough to affect the next input or process. Real-time systems are usually used to control complex systems that require a lot of processing like machinery and industrial systems.

Single User Operating System

A single user OS as the name suggests is designed for one user to effectively use a computer at a time.

Multi-Tasking Operating System

In this type of OS several applications maybe simultaneously loaded and used in the memory. While the processor handles only one application at a particular time it is capable of switching between the applications effectively to apparently simultaneously execute each application. This type of operating system is seen everywhere today and is the most common type of OS, the Windows operating system would be an example.

Multi-User Operating System

This type of OS allows multiple users to simultaneously use the system, while here as well, the processor splits its resources and handles one user at a time, the speed and efficiency at which it does this makes it apparent that users are simultaneously using the system, some network systems utilize this kind of operating system.

Distributed Operating System

In a distributed system, software and data maybe distributed around the system, programs and files maybe stored on different storage devices which are located in different geographical locations and maybe accessed from different computer terminals. While we are mostly accustomed to seeing multi-tasking and multi-user operating systems, the other operating systems are usually used in companies and firms to power special systems.

Features of Operating Systems Before exploring the operating system fundamentals, you may find it interesting to read about the different types of operating systems. Access Control When a computer is started, it runs in the supervisor mode, by which we mean that the first few programs running on the computer and the operating system have an unlimited access to the hardware. An operating system has the ability to place the computer in the protected mode, wherein programs are given a limited access to computer resources. Execution of Programs Programs in execution are known as processes. The execution of a program requires the operating system to create processes. The operating system kernel creates a process by loading program code from the disk and allocating memory to it before running the program. User Interface Users interact with operating systems by means of command line interfaces or graphical user interfaces. Though graphical user interface cannot be referred to as an operating system service, many operating systems integrate support for user interfaces into their kernels. Beginning from Windows 95, Microsoft Windows has kept revising its user interfaces. Their latest operating system, Windows Vista implements a graphics subsystem. Memory Management The operating system kernel handles the allocation and management of memory that programs use. In a cooperative memory management strategy, it is assumed that programs make a voluntary use of the computer memory. This strategy was used by operating systems of old times. Modern operating systems implement segmentation and paging mechanisms facilitating memory protection, whereby all the computer programs can obtain a fair share of memory for execution. The operating system kernel controls the amount of memory allocated to application programs. An operating system can use the same memory locations for multiple tasks, using the underlying concept of virtual memory and swapping or paging. Scheduling An operating system kernel consists of a scheduler program that manages the time taken by each program for its execution. Kernel passes the controls to processes whereby the processes can access the CPU and memory. In cooperative multitasking, each process is allowed to use the system resources for an unlimited period of time. Pre-emptive multitasking mechanisms have replaced cooperative multitasking. Windows NT was the first to implement pre-emptive multitasking. This feature reached the users after Windows XP was released. Interrupt Handling An operating system has to deal with unexpected events in program execution. They are known as interrupts. Interrupts may also come from computer hardware. If a piece of computer hardware triggers an interrupt, the operating system kernel devises ways to handle it. Interrupts triggered by running programs can also be handled by the operating system kernel. Management of Files Operating systems are in charge of handling the application program access to files stored on the disk. The operating systems in earlier days did not support different types of file systems. But the relatively recent operating systems, like Unix and Linux, implement a virtual file system allowing various types of programs, to access a wide variety of system resources and devices that use different file systems. File systems are methods used for storing and managing computer files and data. A file system can be considered as a specialized storage system for the organization, access and retrieval of data. To get a glimpse of some file systems like FAT and

NTFS, go through FAT and NTFS Data Recovery Information. Computer Security I am sure you are aware of multiple user profiles on operating systems. When you login to your user account on the operating system you use, you are actually being a part of the security measures implemented by your operating system. Most of the operating systems require its users to login to their accounts by means of a username and password. Recent developments in technology have introduced biometry to operating systems. Windows Vista has introduced User account control, whereby each logon session is associated with a token containing the privilege assigned to that session. Those interested in biometrics, one of the recent security measures in the world of computing, can read about how to tighten security with biometrics. Computer Networking Operating systems support a variety of networking protocols, whereby, computers running different operating systems can work over a common network. The operating system support for networking protocols enables the computers to access resources on remote computers in fairly simple ways.