Types of Operating System with detail

Types of Operating System

Operating systems are there from the very first computer generation and they keep evolving with time. In this chapter, we will discuss some of the important types of operating systems which are most commonly used.

Batch operating system

In a batch operating system, users don't directly work with the computer. Instead, they prepare their tasks on offline devices like punch cards and give them to the computer operator. To make things faster, the computer groups similar tasks together and runs them all at once. Programmers hand over their work to the operator, who organizes tasks with similar needs into batches.

Here are the issues with batch systems, explained more simply:

No direct interaction: Users can't talk directly to the computer.

Computer waiting: Sometimes, the computer sits around doing nothing because it's faster than the machines that read data in and out.

Priority trouble: It's tough to give some tasks more importance than others.

Time-sharing operating systems

Time-sharing is a method that lets many people use one computer system at the same time from different terminals. It's like sharing a computer's time among multiple users.

Here's how it's different from Multiprogrammed Batch Systems:

In Batch Systems, the goal is to use the processor as much as possible. In Time-Sharing, the goal is to make the computer respond quickly.

Here's how it works:

The CPU switches quickly between different tasks, so users get a fast response. For example, when you enter a command, you don't have to wait long to see the result.

The computer divides its time among users. If there are n users, each gets a small share. Even computers originally designed for batch processing have been adapted for time-sharing.

Advantages of Time-Sharing:

• Quick Response: You get a fast response from the computer.
• No Duplicate Software: You don't need multiple copies of the same software.
• Less CPU Idle Time: The CPU is rarely sitting idle.

Disadvantages of Time-Sharing:

• Reliability Issues: Sometimes, the system might not be very reliable.
• Security and Data Integrity Concerns: Keeping user programs and data safe can be a challenge.

• Data Communication Problems: Managing data transfer between users can be tricky.

Distributed operating System

Distributed systems are like a team of computers working together. They use many central processors to handle different tasks for various applications and users. These computers share the workload among themselves.

These processors talk to each other using different communication lines, like high-speed connections or phone lines. We call this kind of setup "loosely coupled" or "distributed systems." These processors, or "sites" as we call them, can be different in size and what they do.

Here are the good things about distributed systems:

Sharing Resources: You can use resources from one computer on another, even if you're far away.
Quick Data Sharing: They can send data to each other really fast, like sending emails.
Reliability: If one computer has a problem, the others can keep working.
Better Service: This setup makes it easier to serve customers.
Less Stress on the Main Computer: It takes some of the work off the main computer.
Faster Data Processing: It reduces delays when working with data.

Real Time operating System

A real-time system is a type of computer system where it's super quick at processing and responding to commands. It's so fast that it can control things happening in the real world. The time it takes for the system to react to a command and show updated information is called the response time. In this kind of system, response time is extremely fast, much faster than regular online processing.

We use real-time systems when we have strict time rules for how quickly a computer should work or how fast data should move. These systems can be like a boss in a special job. They need to work perfectly and quickly, or things can go wrong. Examples of where we use them include scientific experiments, medical machines, factory machines, military equipment, robots, and air traffic control.

There are two main types of real-time operating systems:

• Hard real-time systems:

These are like super strict bosses. They promise that really important tasks will always finish on time. Hard real-time systems usually don't have much space to store data, and the data is kept in a special kind of memory called ROM. They almost never use virtual memory, which is a way computers usually manage data.

• Soft real-time systems:

Soft real-time systems are not as strict as hard real-time systems. In a soft real-time system, an important task is given priority over others and keeps that priority until it finishes. These systems are more flexible than hard real-time systems. They find use in things like multimedia, virtual reality, advanced scientific projects like exploring the ocean floor or sending rovers to other planets, and similar applications.

Network operating System

A Network Operating System, often found on a server, empowers the server to handle various tasks like data management, user management, security, applications, and other networking jobs. Its main purpose is to enable multiple computers in a network, such as a local area network (LAN), a private network, or even different networks, to share files and printers.

Examples of network operating systems include Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, and BSD.

Advantages of Network Operating System

1. Stability: Centralized servers are very reliable.
2. Security: Security is well-managed by the server.
3. Adaptability: It's easy to add new technologies and hardware to the system.
4. Remote Access: You can access servers from different places and types of computers.

Disadvantages of Network Operating System

1. Cost: Setting up and running a server can be expensive.
2. Dependency: Many operations rely on a central location.
3. Maintenance: Regular upkeep and updates are necessary to keep the system running smoothly.