4/2/24, 10:56 PM Operating System

Operating System

An operating system is the fundamental basis of all other application programs.

Operating system is an intermediary between the users and the hardware.

Operating system controls and coordinates the use of hardware among application
programs. The major services of an operating system are −

Memory management
Disk access
Creating user interface
Managing the different programs operating parallel
Likewise, it controls and manage the hardware’s working

Applications of Operating System

Following are the major applications of an operating system −

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An operating system is accountable for the formation and deletion of files and
directories.
An operating system manages the process of deletion, suspension,
resumption, and synchronization.
An operating system manages memory space by allocation and de-allocation.
An operating system stores, organizes, and names and protects the existing
files.
Further, an operating system manages all the components and devices of the
computers system including modems, printers, plotters, etc.
In case, if any device fails, the operating system detects and notify.
An operating system protects from destruction as well as from unauthorized
use.
An operating system facilitates the interface to user and hardware.

Types of Operating System

Following are the major types of operating system −

Disk Operating System (DOS)

Windows Operating System

Unix Operating System

Let us now discuss each operating system in detail.

Disk Operating System

MS-DOS is one of the oldest and widely used operating system. DOS is a set of
computer programs, the major functions of which are file management, allocation of
system resources, providing essential features to control hardware devices.

DOS commands can be typed in either upper case or lower case.

Features of DOS

Following are the significant features of DOS −

It is a single user system.

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It controls program.

It is machine independence.
It manages (computer) files.

It manages input and output system.

It manages (computer) memory.

It provides command processing facilities.

It operates with Assembler.

Types of DOS Commands

Following are the major types of DOS Command −

Internal Commands − Commands such as DEL, COPY, TYPE, etc. are the
internal commands that remain stored in computer memory.

External Commands − Commands like FORMAT, DISKCOPY, etc. are the

external commands and remain stored on the disk.

Windows Operating System

The operating system window is the extension of the disk operating system.

It is the most popular and simplest operating system; it can be used by any person
who can read and understand basic English, as it does not require any special
training.

However, the Windows Operating System requires DOS to run the various application
programs initially. Because of this reason, DOS should be installed into the memory
and then window can be executed.

Elements of Windows OS

Following are the significant element of Windows Operating System (WOS) −

Graphical User Interface

Icons (pictures, documents, application, program icons, etc.)

Taskbar
Start button

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Windows explorer

Mouse button

Hardware compatibility
Software compatibility

Help, etc.

Versions of Windows Operating System

Following are the different versions of Windows Operating System −

Version Year Version Year

Window 1.01 1985 Windows XP Professional x64 2005

Windows NT 3.1 1993 Windows Vista 2007

Windows 95 1995 Windows 7 2009

Windows 98 1998 Windows 8 2012

Windows 2000 2000 Windows 10 2015

Windows ME 2000 Windows Server 2016 2016

Windows XP 2001

Unix Operating System

The Unix Operating System is the earliest operating system developed in 1970s. Let
us consider the following points relating to the Unix Operating System −

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It is an operating system that has multitasking features.

It has multiuser computer operating systems.

It runs practically on every sort of hardware and provides stimulus to the

open source movement.

It has comparative complex functionality and hence an untrained user cannot

use it; only the one who has taken training can use this system.
Another drawback of this system is, it does not give notice or warn about the
consequences of a user’s action (whether user’s action is right or wrong).

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