1.

1 COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

Q] Write down the components of Computer System.
Definition: An OS is a program that acts as an interface between the user and the computer
hardware and controls the execution of all kinds of program.
OR
An OS is a program that manages the resources (hardware and software) of a computer.
Components of Computer System
Computer system is roughly divided in 4 parts
1] Hardware:
Hardware is a physical part of machine which provides basic computing resources.
Examples:
Central Processing Unit (CPU), Input devices (Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Web
Camera, and Scanner etc.), Output devices (Printer, Monitor, and Plotter etc.) ,
Networking devices (LAN card , Router, Hub, Switches , Modem etc.) and other devices
like Mother board, DVD Writer etc.
2] Application Programs:
They define the ways in which the system resources are used to solve the computing
problems of the users.
Examples: Word Processors, Spread Sheets, Compilers, Web Browsers, Database
Systems, Video Games etc.
3] Operating System:
OS controls and coordinates the use of the hardware among the various application
programs for the various users.
Examples: Microsoft Windows - 7, Apple MAC – OS, Ubuntu, Linux etc.
4] Users:
1. Programmers: They are the designers or producers of the software developed for
themselves or others.
2. Operational Users: They are the users responsible for the installation of the software,
proper maintenance of software, making it available to the users.
3. End Users: They are the actual users of the applications and perform the specified
tasks as per defined.

Fig: Components of Computer System

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Q] Describe evolution / generation of operating system.
[W10, S11, S12, S13, W13, W14, S16]

First Generation (1940 - 1956) -Vacuum tubes, Plug boards

These Machines had Vacuum Tubes as a central component.

Machines of the time were so primitive that programs were often entered one bit at time on
rows of mechanical switches (plug boards).
But the vacuum tubes were having the problem of heating and they required the large space.
There was no operating system in this generation.
Programming languages were unknown (not even assembly languages).
So all the programming was done in machine language. All the problems were simple
numerical calculations.

Second Generation (1956 - 1963) - Transistors, Batch systems

In this generation, the vacuum tubes were replaced by Transistors.

The problem of size and space is solved. The cost was changed dramatically.
Second generation computers followed Batch System i.e. one by one job were executed in the
system.
These were called single-stream batch processing systems because programs and data were
submitted in groups or batches.
The assembly language was introduced in this generation.
The drawback of transistors was leakage current.

Third Generation (1964 - 1971) - ICs and Multiprogramming

The transistors were replaced by Silicon Chip.

In this generation, operating systems designers developed the concept of multiprogramming
in which several jobs are in main memory at once; a processor is switched from job to job
as needed.
This meant that the processor was not idle while a job was completing its I/O operation.
Another job was scheduled on the processor so that its time would not be wasted.
Users interacted with the third generation computers using keyboard and monitors and
interfaced with operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications
at one time.

Fourth Generation (1971 – Present) - Personal Computers

In fourth generation computers, the technique used was Large Scale Integration.
This technique packed thousands of transistors on small area of silicon chip.
Microprocessor technology evolved in such manner that it becomes possible to build desktop
computers as powerful as the mainframes of the 1970s.
Network Operating System (NOS) development started from the same phase.
DOS, UNIX, Linux, GUI i.e. Windows operating system are the examples.

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1.2 OPERATIONS/FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING SYSTEM
Q] List any four functions of operating system.
(Any four functions - 1 mark each)

Ans: The major functions of an operating system are:

1. Process Management – A program in execution is called as Process. OS is responsible for
creating, deleting, suspending and resuming the processes.
2. Memory Management – OS is responsible for allocation and deallocation of memory to the
system programs as well as other programs and data.
3. File Management – An OS deals with the storage, creation and deletion of file on various
storage devices. It also allows all files to be easily changed and modified through the use of text
editors.
4. Device / Resource Management – Managing devices and resources and allowing the users to
share the resources such as CPU time, main memory, secondary storage and input output
devices.
5. Security and Protection – Securing the system against possible unauthorized access to data
or any other entity by means of passwords and similar other techniques.
6. Job Accounting- Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and users.
7. Communications – Providing interface for the user to communicate with each other in the
same or other system by sharing or transferring data.
8. Booting the System and getting it ready to work.

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1.3 TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
Q. State the different types of Operating System. [W-09, S-10]
1. Batch
2. Multiprogramming
3. Multitasking
4. Time Sharing System
5. Desktop Systems

1. BATCH OPERATING SYSTEM

Q] Explain Batch Processing Operating System. [S 09, S 13, W 14]
The users of batch operating system do not interact with the computer directly.
Each user prepares his job on offline device like punch cards and submits it to the computer
operator.
In batch operating system, a batch is a sequence of user jobs.
Here operating system collects programs and data together in a batch before processing starts.
Operating system does the following activities related to batch processing:
1. Operating system defines a job which has predefined sequence of commands, programs and
data as a single unit.
2. Operating system keeps a number of jobs in memory and executes them without any manual
information.
3. Jobs are processed in the order of submission i.e. first come first served fashion.
4. When job completes its execution, its memory is released and the output for the job gets copied
into an output spool for later printing or processing.
5. After the completion of one job only, the second job will be scheduled.
The main drawback of Batch Operating System is CPU idleness is increased and the Throughput of the
system is decreased. (Throughput is the number of jobs completed per unit time).

Fig: Processing of batch in batch operating system

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2. MULTIPROGRAMMING
Describe Multiprogramming. [S09, W10]
When two or more programs are residing in memory at the same time, then sharing the processor
is referred to the multiprogramming.
The operating system keeps several jobs in memory at a time.
The operating system picks and begins to execute one of the jobs in the memory.
Eventually the job may have to wait for some task, such as a tape is mounted, or an input/output
operation to complete.
In a non-multiprogramming system; the CPU would sit idle.
In a multiprogramming system, the operating system simply switches to and executes another job.
When that job needs to wait, CPU is switched to another job and so on.
As long as there is always some job to execute, the CPU will never be idle.
Throughput of the system will also increase.
Figure shows multiprogramming with 3 programs. CPU switches between program A, program B,
program C which ultimately reduces CPU idle time.

Fig: Memory Layout for a multiprogramming system.

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3. MULTITASKING
 Multitasking operating system is having a unique feature of supporting multiple process
executions at a time.
 These executions are called as concurrent or simultaneous execution.
 In multitasking operating system, the code as well as data of several processes is stored into
main memory.
 In multitasking only one CPU is involved, but it switches from one program to another so
quickly that it gives the appearance of executing all the programs at the same time.
 The user gives instructions to the operating system or to a program directly, and receives
an immediate response.
 It uses Time Sharing Principle to speed up processing.
Advantages of Multitasking Operating system are as follows:
 Multiple programs can reside in the main memory.
 Multiple programs can run simultaneously.
 It increases the speed of execution by doing resource management.
 It keeps CPU as well as I/O devices continuously busy.
Types:
1. Cooperative multitasking:
2. Preemptive multitasking:

Fig: Multitasking Operating System

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4. MULTIPROCESSOR OPERATING SYSTEM
Multiprocessor OS are the systems in which more than one processors are placed in a single cabinet
in close communication.
They can share the computer bus and sometimes the clock, memory and peripheral devices.
Every processor has its own memory (cache memory).
Multiprocessing Operating System are also called as Parallel Systems or Tightly Coupled Systems.
The main advantage of parallel system is to get maximum work done in shorter period.

Types of Multiprocessing Systems:

1. Asymmetric multiprocessing: In this system, a specific task is assigned to each
processor. The system has one master processor and others are slave processors. A master
processor controls the system and slave processors follow the instructions of master or perform
their predefined task.
2. Symmetric multiprocessing: In symmetric multiprocessing, there is no master-slave
concept used. All the processors are peer processors. They perform all tasks within the
operating system. The benefit of SMP model is that many processes can run simultaneously.
However, we must carefully control I/O to ensure that the data reach the appropriate processor.
Also, since the CPUs are separate, one may be sitting idle while another is overloaded, resulting
in inefficiencies.

Advantages of Multiprocessor Systems:

1. Increased Throughput: It increases throughput by increasing the number of processors,
i.e. more work done in a shorter period of time.
2. Economic: Multiprocessors can also save money compared to multiple single processors
systems because the processors can share peripherals, cabinets and power supplies.
3. Increased reliability: It increases reliability. If functions can be distributed properly
among several processors, then the failure of one processor will not halt the system; rather will
only slow it down.

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Disadvantage of Multiprocessor Systems:
1. If one processor fails then it will affect in the speed.
2. Multiprocessor systems are expensive.
3. Complex OS is required.
4. Large main memory required.

5. TIME SHARING OPERATING SYSTEM

Time sharing is a logical extension of Multiprogramming.
The main idea of time sharing system is to allow a large number of users to interact with a single
computer concurrently.
In time sharing system, small time slots are available for each user.
This short period of time during which a user gets attention of CPU, is known as ‘Time Slice’ or
‘Quantum’.
The concept of time sharing system is shown in Fig.
The user 5 is active but user 1, user 2, user 3, and user 4 are in waiting state whereas user 6 is in ready
status. As soon as the time slice of user 5 is completed, the control moves on to the next ready user i.e.
user 6. In this state user 2, user 3, user 4, and user 5 are in waiting state and user 1 is in ready state. The
process continues in the same way and so on.

Fig: Working of Time Sharing System

Note:
The main difference between time sharing and multitasking is that time sharing allows multiple users
to share a computer resource simultaneously using multiprogramming and multitasking while multitasking
allows a system to execute multiple tasks or processes simultaneously.

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6. DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM
A distributed system is a network that consists of autonomous computers that are connected using a
distribution middleware.
They help in sharing different resources and capabilities to provide users with a single coherent
network.
In this system, processor does not share memory or clock.
Each processor has its own memory.
Processors in a distributed system may vary in size and function.
These processors are referred as sites, nodes, computers, and so on.
The nodes communicate with each other through high speed buses or telephone lines by message
passing.
These systems are also referred as Loosely Coupled System.

Advantages:
Reliability: If one site fails in a distributed system, the remaining sites can potentially continue
operating.
1. Sharing of Resources: With resource sharing facility, a user at one site may be able to use the
resources available at another.
2. Flexibility: As the system is very flexible, it is very easy to install, implement and debug new
services.
3. Speed: A distributed computing system can have more computing speed than a mainframe
computer.
4. High Performance: The collection of processor in the system can provide higher performance
than a centralized computer.

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6. CLUSTERED SYSTEM
Cluster is a group of interconnected, whole computers working together as one unit.
Cluster – is collection of computer in which any member of the cluster is capable of supporting
the processing function of any other member.
Each computer in a cluster is typically referred to as a node.
Clustering means gather together.
It allows two or more system to share storage closely linked via a local area network.
Asymmetric Cluster (at least two servers): One is on a standby mode while the other is monitoring
the other one. If one stops, other will work.
Symmetric Cluster (all work at the same level): They work together and monitor each other.

A cluster has n+k configuration where n processing nodes are actively processing the application
& k processing nodes are in a standby state, serving as a spares.
In the event of a failure of an active node, the application that was running on the failed node is moved
to one of the standby nodes.

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8. REAL TIME
Real time systems are used in environment where a large number of events, , must be accepted and
processed in a short time or within certain deadlines.
Applications:
- 1. Flight Control System
- 2. Simulations
- 3. Industrial control
- 4. Military applications
- 5. ATM machines etc.

A primary objective of real-time systems is to provide quick event response time and thus meet the
scheduling deadlines.
User Convenience and Resource utilization are of secondary concern to real time system.
In Real time systems, processor is allocated to the highest priority process among those which are
ready to execute.
Higher priority process pre-empts execution of the lower priority processes.
This form is called as ‘priority –based pre-emptive scheduling’.

Types of real time system:

1. Hard real time:-
This system guarantees the critical tasks completes on time.
The delays in this system must be bounded.
When an event occurs, it should be serviced within the predictable time at all times in a given hard real
time system.
Example: - In a missile launching operation, if the missile does not leave the earth station within the
given counts, it may get crashed.

2. Soft real time:-

There can be few deviations between expected time constraints of the tasks and observed time
constraints. Means, few deadline misses are accepted.
Example:-Banking Sectors, Multimedia, Virtual Reality, Mobile phone, digital cameras and orchestra
playing robots.

Example: Satellite application of real time OS

The satellite connected to the computer system sends the digital samples at the rate of 1000 Samples
per second. The computer system has an application program that stores these samples in a file. The
sample sent by the satellite arrives every millisecond to the application. So computer must store or
respond the sample in less than 1 millisecond. If the computer does not respond to the sample within
this time, the sample will lost.

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