Operating System

An operating system (OS) is a program that acts as an interface

between the system hardware and the user. Moreover, it handles all the
interactions between the software and the hardware. All the working
of a computer system depends on the OS at the base level. Further, it
performs all the functions like handling memory, processes, the
interaction between hardware and software, etc. Now, let us look at
the functions of operating system.

Operating System

Objectives of OS
The primary goals of an operating system are as follows:

 Convenience – An operating system improves the use of a machine.

Operating systems enable users to get started on the things they wish
to complete quickly without having to cope with the stress of first
configuring the system.
 Efficiency – An operating system enables the efficient use of
resources. This is due to less time spent configuring the system.
 Ability to evolve – An operating system should be designed in such
a way that it allows for the effective development, testing, and
introduction of new features without interfering with service.
 Management of system resources – It guarantees that resources
are shared fairly among various processes and users.

Functions of Operating System

1. Memory Management

It is the management of the main or primary memory. Whatever

program is executed, it has to be present in the main memory. Main
memory is a quick storage area that may be accessed directly by the
CPU. When the program is completed, the memory region is released
and can be used by other programs. Therefore, there can be more than
one program present at a time. Hence, it is required to manage the
memory.

The operating system:

 Allocates and deallocates the memory.

 Keeps a record of which part of primary memory is used by whom
and how much.
 Distributes the memory while multiprocessing.
 In multiprogramming, the operating system selects which processes
acquire memory when and how much memory they get.
2. Processor Management/Scheduling

Every software that runs on a computer, whether in the background or

in the frontend, is a process. Processor management is an execution
unit in which a program operates. The operating system determines the
status of the processor and processes, selects a job and its processor,
allocates the processor to the process, and de-allocates the processor
after the process is completed.
When more than one process runs on the system the OS decides how
and when a process will use the CPU. Hence, the name is also CPU
Scheduling. The OS:

 Allocates and deallocates processor to the processes.

 Keeps record of CPU status.
Certain algorithms used for CPU scheduling are as follows:

 First Come First Serve (FCFS)

 Shortest Job First (SJF)
 Round-Robin Scheduling
 Priority-based scheduling etc.
Purpose of CPU scheduling

The purpose of CPU scheduling is as follows:

 Proper utilization of CPU. Since the proper utilization of the CPU is

necessary. Therefore, the OS makes sure that the CPU should be as
busy as possible.
 Since every device should get a chance to use the processor. Hence,
the OS makes sure that the devices get fair processor time.
 Increasing the efficiency of the system.
3. Device Management

An operating system regulates device connection using drivers. The

processes may require devices for their use. This management is done
by the OS. The OS:

 Allocates and deallocates devices to different processes.

 Keeps records of the devices.
 Decides which process can use which device for how much time.
4. File Management

The operating system manages resource allocation and de-allocation.

It specifies which process receives the file and for how long. It also
keeps track of information, location, uses, status, and so on. These
groupings of resources are referred to as file systems. The files on a
system are stored in different directories. The OS:

 Keeps records of the status and locations of files.

 Allocates and deallocates resources.
 Decides who gets the resources.
5. Storage Management

Storage management is a procedure that allows users to maximize the

utilization of storage devices while also protecting data integrity on
whatever media on which it lives. Network virtualization, replication,
mirroring, security, compression, deduplication, traffic analysis,
process automation, storage provisioning, and memory management
are some of the features that may be included. The operating system is
in charge of storing and accessing files. The creation of files, the
creation of directories, the reading and writing of data from files and
directories, as well as the copying of the contents of files and
directories from one location to another are all included in storage
management.

The OS uses storage management for:

 Improving the performance of the data storage resources.

 It optimizes the use of various storage devices.
 Assists businesses in storing more data on existing hardware,
speeding up the data retrieval process, preventing data loss, meeting
data retention regulations, and lowering IT costs
What are the functions of Operating System
 Security – For security, modern operating systems employ a
firewall. A firewall is a type of security system that monitors all
computer activity and blocks it if it detects a threat.
 Job Accounting – As the operating system keeps track of all the
functions of a computer system. Hence, it makes a record of all the
activities taking place on the system. It has an account of all the
information about the memory, resources, errors, etc. Therefore, this
information can be used as and when required.
 Control over system performance – The operating system will
collect consumption statistics for various resources and monitor
performance indicators such as reaction time, which is the time
between requesting a service and receiving a response from the
system.
 Error detecting aids – While a computer system is running, a
variety of errors might occur. Error detection guarantees that data is
delivered reliably across susceptible networks. The operating
system continuously monitors the system to locate or recognize
problems and protects the system from them.
 Coordination between other software and users – The operating
system (OS) allows hardware components to be coordinated and
directs and allocates assemblers, interpreters, compilers, and other
software to different users of the computer system.
 Booting process – The process of starting or restarting a computer
is referred to as Booting. Cold booting occurs when a computer is
totally turned off and then turned back on. Warm booting occurs
when the computer is restarted. The operating system (OS) is in
charge of booting the computer.
Browse more Topics under Operating System

 Need for Operating System

 Types of Operating System-Interactive (GUI Based)
 Time Sharing
 Real Time Operating System (RTOS)
 Distributed Operating System
 Commonly Used Operating System
 Mobile OS

Types of Operating System

The operating system can be of different types. They are as follows:

1. Batch OS

In this system, the OS does not forward the jobs/tasks directly to the
CPU. It works by grouping together similar types of jobs under one
category. Further, we name this group as a ‘batch’. Hence, the name
batch OS.

Examples are the payroll system, bank statement, etc.

2. Time-Shared OS

When more than one task takes place on the system it is called time-
shared OS. As multiple tasks can run at the system at a time as per
requirement. Hence, they all share the CPU time one by one.
Therefore, we also name it multitasking. The time that each task gets
is called quantum.

A fixed interval of time is decided for each task. When the first task
executes for that period of time, the second task executes, and so on.

Examples are UNIX etc.

3. Distributed OS
In this system, there is more than one CPU present. The OS distributes
the tasks among all the processors. The processors do not share any
memory or clock time. OS handles all communication between them
through various communication lines.

Examples are LOCUS etc.

4. Network OS

In these OS various systems are connected to a server. It allows the

system to share resources such as files, printers, applications, etc.
Moreover, it gives the capability to serve to manage these resources.

Examples are UNIX, LINUX, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, etc.

5. Real-Time OS (RTOS)

In these systems, the time interval for processing and responding to

inputs is very small. Therefore, due to this quality, these are used in
real-time situations. For example in missile systems, robots, etc.

They have two categories as follows:

a) Hard Real-Time Systems

In this, the time constraint is very short and strict. Even seconds of
delay is not acceptable.

b) Soft Real-Time Systems

In this, the time constraint is not so short and strict.