Unit – 1

Types of Operating Systems

Classification of Operating System

An Operating System performs all the basic tasks like managing files,
processes, and memory. Thus operating system acts as the manager of all
the resources, i.e. resource manager. Thus, the operating system becomes
an interface between user and machine.
Types of Operating Systems: Some widely used operating systems are as
follows-
1. Batch Operating System –
This type of operating system does not interact with the computer
directly. There is an operator which takes similar jobs having the same
requirement and groups them into batches. It is the responsibility of the
operator to sort jobs with similar needs.
Role of Batch Operating System:-
A batch operating system's primary role is to execute jobs in batches automatically. The
main task of a batch processing system is done by the 'Batch Monitor', which is
located at the low end of the main memory. The jobs can now be stored on a disk to
form a pool of jobs for batch execution. After that, they are grouped with similar jobs
being placed in the same batch. As a result, the batch operating system automatically
ran the batched jobs one after the other, saving time by performing tasks only once. It
resulted from a better system due to reduced turnaround time. In computing, turnaround
time is the total time taken between the submission of a program/process/thread/task
for execution and the return of the complete output to the customer/user. Turnaround
time may simply deal with the total time it takes for a program to provide the required
output to the user after the program is started.

Turnaround time is one of the metrics to evaluate an operating system's scheduling

algorithms.

In case of batch systems, turnaround time will include time taken in forming batches,
batch execution and printing results.

Characteristics of Batch Operating System:-

There are various characteristics of the Batch Operating System. Some of them are as
follows:

1. In this case, the CPU executes the jobs in the same sequence that they are sent
to it by the operator, which implies that the task sent to the CPU first will be
executed first. It's also known as the 'first come, first serve'
2. The word job refers to the command or instruction that the user and the program
should perform.
3. A batch operating system runs a set of user-supplied instructions composed of
distinct instructions and programs with several similarities.
4. When a task is successfully executed, the OS releases the memory space held
by that job.
5. The user does not interface directly with the operating system in a batch
operating system; rather, all instructions are sent to the operator.
6. The operator evaluates the user's instructions and creates a set of instructions
having similar properties.
Advantages:-

There are various advantages of the Batch Operating System. Some of them are as
follows:

1. It is not easy to forecast how long it will take to complete a job; only batch system
processors know how long it will take to finish the job in line.
2. This system can easily manage large jobs again and again.
3. The batch process can be divided into several stages to increase processing
speed.
4. When a process is finished, the next job from the job spool is run without any
user interaction.
5. CPU utilization gets improved.

Disadvantages:-

There are various disadvantages of the Batch Operating System. Some of them are as
follows:

1. When a job fails once, it must be scheduled to be completed, and it may take a
long time to complete the task.
2. Computer operators must have full knowledge of batch systems.
3. The batch system is quite difficult to debug.
4. The computer system and the user have no direct interaction.
5. If a job enters an infinite loop, other jobs must wait for an unknown period of time.

Examples of Batch based Operating System: Payroll System etc.

2. Time-Sharing Operating Systems –

Each task is given some time to execute so that all the tasks work smoothly.
Each user gets the time of CPU as they use a single system. These systems
are also known as Multitasking Systems. The task can be from a single user
or different users also. The time that each task gets to execute is called
quantum. After this time interval is over OS switches over to the next task.
Advantages of Time-Sharing OS:
 Each task gets an equal opportunity
 CPU idle time can be reduced
Disadvantages of Time-Sharing OS:
 One must have to take care of the security and integrity of user programs
and data
 Data communication problem
Examples of Time-Sharing OSs are: Multics, Unix, etc.

3. Distributed Operating System –

These types of the operating system is a recent advancement in the world of
computer technology and are being widely accepted all over the world and,
that too, with a great pace. Various autonomous interconnected computers
communicate with each other using a shared communication network.
Independent systems possess their own memory unit and CPU. These are
referred to as loosely coupled systems or distributed systems. These
system’s processors differ in size and function. The major benefit of working
with these types of the operating system is that it is always possible that one
user can access the files or software which are not actually present on his
system but some other system connected within this network i.e., remote
access is enabled within the devices connected in that network.

Advantages of Distributed Operating System:

 Failure of one will not affect the other network communication, as all
systems are independent from each other
 Electronic mail increases the data exchange speed
 Since resources are being shared, computation is highly fast and durable
 Load on host computer reduces
 These systems are easily scalable
 Delay in data processing reduces
Disadvantages of Distributed Operating System:
 Failure of the main network will stop the entire communication
 These types of systems are not readily available as they are very
expensive. Not only that the underlying software is highly complex and
not understood well yet
Examples of Distributed Operating System are- LOCUS, etc.
4. Network Operating System –
These systems run on a server and provide the capability to manage data,
users, groups, security, applications, and other networking functions. These
types of operating systems allow shared access of files, printers, security,
applications, and other networking functions over a small private network.
One more important aspect of Network Operating Systems is that all the
users are well aware of the underlying configuration, of all other users within
the network, their individual connections, etc. and that’s why these
computers are popularly known as tightly coupled systems.
Advantages of Network Operating System:
 Highly stable centralized servers
 Security concerns are handled through servers
 New technologies and hardware up-gradation are easily integrated into
the system
 Server access is possible remotely from different locations and types of
systems
Disadvantages of Network Operating System:
 Servers are costly
 User has to depend on a central location for most operations
 Maintenance and updates are required regularly
Examples of Network Operating System are: Microsoft Windows Server
2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell
NetWare, and BSD, etc.
5. Real-Time Operating System –
These types of OSs serve real-time systems. The time interval required to
process and respond to inputs is very small. This time interval is
called response time.
Real-time systems are used when there are time requirements that are
very strict like missile systems, air traffic control systems, robots, etc.
Two types of Real-Time Operating System which are as follows:
 Hard Real-Time Systems:
These OSs are meant for applications where time constraints are very
strict and even the shortest possible delay is not acceptable. These
systems are built for saving life like automatic parachutes or airbags which
are required to be readily available in case of any accident. Virtual
memory is rarely found in these systems.
 Soft Real-Time Systems:
These OSs are for applications where for time-constraint is less strict.

Advantages of RTOS:
 Maximum Consumption: Maximum utilization of devices and system,
thus more output from all the resources.
 Task Shifting: The time assigned for shifting tasks in these systems are
very less. For example, in older systems, it takes about 10 microseconds
in shifting one task to another, and in the latest systems, it takes 3
microseconds.
 Focus on Application: Focus on running applications and less
importance to applications which are in the queue.
 Real-time operating system in the embedded system: Since the size
of programs are small, RTOS can also be used in embedded systems like
in transport and others.
 Error Free: These types of systems are error-free.
 Memory Allocation: Memory allocation is best managed in these types
of systems.
Disadvantages of RTOS:
 Use heavy system resources: Sometimes the system resources are not
so good and they are expensive as well.
 Complex Algorithms: The algorithms are very complex and difficult for
the designer to write on.
 Device driver and interrupt signals: It needs specific device drivers
and interrupts signals to respond earliest to interrupts.
Examples of Real-Time Operating Systems are: Scientific experiments,
medical imaging systems, industrial control systems, weapon systems,
robots, air traffic control systems, etc.