Lesson 5: Introduction to Operating System

Operating System

An Operating System (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware,

software resources, and provides essential services for applications. It acts as an
intermediary between the user and the computer hardware, enabling smooth operation
and interaction. An operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like
file management, memory management, process management, handling input and
output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

Functions of an Operating System

An operating system performs several essential functions that ensure the smooth
operation of a computer system:

1.​ Process Management: The OS manages processes, which are programs in

execution. It allocates system resources, such as CPU time, memory, and
input/output devices, to different processes, ensuring efficient multitasking./
Handles execution of multiple applications.
2.​ Memory Management: The OS is responsible for managing the computer’s
memory. It allocates memory to processes, ensuring that each process has
sufficient memory to run. It also handles memory deallocation when processes are
completed or terminated./ Allocates memory for programs and ensures efficient
usage.
3.​ File System Management: The OS provides a file system that organizes and
manages files on storage devices. It allows users to create, read, write, and delete
files, ensuring data integrity and security. / Organizes and secures data storage.
4.​ Device Management: The OS controls and manages input/output devices, such
as keyboards, mice, printers, and disk drives. It provides an interface for
applications to interact with these devices, ensuring proper device utilization and
coordination./Controls hardware components like keyboards, printers, and hard
drives.
5.​ User Interface: The OS provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to
interact with the computer system. It can be a command-line interface (CLI) or a
graphical user interface (GUI), enabling users to execute commands, launch
applications, and perform various tasks./ Provides a way for users to interact with
the computer (Graphical User Interface (GUI) or Command-Line Interface (CLI)).

Types of Operating Systems

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 requirements and groups them into
batches. It is the responsibility of the operator to sort jobs with similar needs. Batch
Operating System is designed to manage and execute a large number of jobs efficiently
by processing them in groups.

Batch Operating System

Advantages of Batch Operating System

●​ Multiple users can share the batch systems.

●​ The idle time for the batch system is very less.
●​ It is easy to manage large work repeatedly in batch systems.

Disadvantages of Batch Operating System

●​CPU is not used efficiently. When the current process is doing IO, CPU is free
and could be utilized by other processes waiting.
●​ The other jobs will have to wait for an unknown time if any job fails.
●​ In batch operating system, average response time increases as all processes
are processed one by one.

Examples of Batch Operating Systems: Payroll Systems, Bank Statements, etc

2. Multi-Programming Operating System

Multiprogramming Operating Systems can be simply illustrated as more than one
program is present in the main memory and any one of them can be kept in execution.
This is basically used for better utilization of resources.

Advantages of Multi-Programming Operating System

●​ CPU is better utilized and overall performance of the system improves.

●​ It helps in reducing the response time.

Multi-Tasking/Time-sharing Operating systems

It is a type of Multiprogramming system with every process running in round robin

manner. Each task is given some time to execute so that all the tasks work smoothly.
Each user gets the time of the 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.

●​ Fewer chances of duplication of software.
●​ CPU idle time can be reduced.
●​ Resource Sharing: Time-sharing systems allow multiple users to share
hardware resources such as the CPU, memory, and peripherals, reducing the
cost of hardware and increasing efficiency.
●​ Improved Productivity: Time-sharing allows users to work concurrently,
thereby reducing the waiting time for their turn to use the computer. This
increased productivity translates to more work getting done in less time.
●​ Improved User Experience: Time-sharing provides an interactive environment
that allows users to communicate with the computer in real time, providing a
better user experience than batch processing.

Disadvantages of Time-Sharing OS

●​ Reliability problem.
●​ One must have to take care of the security and integrity of user programs and
data.
●​ Data communication problem.
●​ High Overhead: Time-sharing systems have a higher overhead than other
operating systems due to the need for scheduling, context switching, and
other overheads that come with supporting multiple users.
●​ Complexity: Time-sharing systems are complex and require advanced
software to manage multiple users simultaneously. This complexity increases
the chance of bugs and errors.
●​ Security Risks: With multiple users sharing resources, the risk of security
breaches increases. Time-sharing systems require careful management of
user access, authentication, and authorization to ensure the security of data
and software.

Examples of Time-Sharing OS with explanation

●​ IBM VM/CMS : IBM VM/CMS is a time-sharing operating system that was first
introduced in 1972. It is still in use today, providing a virtual machine
environment that allows multiple users to run their own instances of operating
systems and applications.
●​ TSO (Time Sharing Option) : TSO is a time-sharing operating system that
was first introduced in the 1960s by IBM for the IBM System/360 mainframe
computer. It allowed multiple users to access the same computer
simultaneously, running their own applications.
●​ Windows Terminal Services : Windows Terminal Services is a time-sharing
operating system that allows multiple users to access a Windows server
remotely. Users can run their own applications and access shared resources,
such as printers and network storage, in real-time.

3. Multi-Processing Operating System

Multi-Processing Operating System is a type of Operating System in which more
than one CPU is used for the execution of resources. It betters the throughput of the
System.
Advantages of Multi-Processing Operating System

●​ It increases the throughput of the system as processes can be parallelized.

●​ As it has several processors, so, if one processor fails, we can proceed with
another processor.

4. Multi User Operating Systems

These systems allow multiple users to be active at the same time. These system can be
either multiprocessor or single processor with interleaving.

Time-Sharing OS

5. Distributed Operating System

These types of operating system is a recent advancement in the world of computer
technology and are being widely accepted all over the world and, that too, at 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 systems’ 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.

Distributed OS

Advantages of Distributed Operating System

●​ Failure of one will not affect the other network communication, as all systems
are independent of 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 as many systems can be easily added to
the network.
●​ Delay in data processing reduces.
Disadvantages of Distributed Operating System

●​ Failure of the main network will stop the entire communication.

●​ To establish distributed systems the language is used not well-defined yet.
●​ 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 Systems are LOCUS, etc.

Issues With Distributed Operating Systems

●​ Networking causes delays in the transfer of data between nodes of a

distributed system. Such delays may lead to an inconsistent view of data
located in different nodes, and make it difficult to know the chronological order
in which events occurred in the system.
●​ Control functions like scheduling, resource allocation, and deadlock detection
have to be performed in several nodes to achieve computation speedup and
provide reliable operation when computers or networking components fail.
●​ Messages exchanged by processes present in different nodes may travel over
public networks and pass through computer systems that are not controlled by
the distributed operating system. An intruder may exploit this feature to tamper
with messages, or create fake messages to fool the authentication procedure
and masquerade as a user of the system.

6. 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 to 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 .

Network Operating System

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 Systems are Microsoft Windows Server 2003,

Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, BSD, etc.

7. 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.

Types of Real-Time Operating Systems

●​ Hard Real-Time Systems: Hard Real-Time 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 an
accident. Virtual memory is rarely found in these systems.
●​ Soft Real-Time Systems: These OSs are for applications where
time-constraint is less strict.

Real-Time Operating System

Advantages of RTOS

●​ Maximum Consumption: Maximum utilization of devices and systems, thus

more output from all the resources.
●​ Task Shifting: The time assigned for shifting tasks in these systems is very
less. For example, in older systems, it takes about 10 microseconds in shifting
from one task to another, and in the latest systems, it takes 3 microseconds.
●​ Focus on Application: Focus on running applications and less importance on
applications that are in the queue.
●​ Real-time operating system in the embedded system: Since the size of
programs is 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
 ●​ Limited Tasks: Very few tasks run at the same time and their concentration is
very less on a few applications to avoid errors.
●​ 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 signal to respond earliest to interrupts.
●​ Thread Priority: It is not good to set thread priority as these systems are very
less prone to switching tasks.

Examples of Real-Time Operating Systems are Scientific experiments, medical

imaging systems, industrial control systems, weapon systems, robots, air traffic control
systems, etc.

8. Mobile Operating Systems

These operating systems are mainly for mobile devices. Examples of such
operating systems are Android and iOS.

History and Evolution of Operating Systems

The evolution of operating systems (OS) has gone through several phases, from simple
batch processing to advanced AI-driven systems. Below is a historical overview of how
OS technology has developed over time.

1. First Generation (1940s - Early 1950s): No Operating System

●​ Early computers like the ENIAC and UNIVAC did not have an OS.
●​ Programmers manually input machine code using punch cards and switches.
●​ There was no user interface; computers executed only one program at a time.

2. Second Generation (1950s - Early 1960s): Batch Processing Systems

●​ The first operating systems emerged to automate job execution.

●​ Batch processing was introduced, where programs were grouped into batches and
executed sequentially.
●​ Example: IBM’s early batch processing systems.
●​ Computers were expensive and mainly used by governments and large institutions.

3. Third Generation (1960s - 1970s): Multiprogramming and Time-Sharing

●​ Multiprogramming allowed multiple programs to run simultaneously, improving

efficiency.
●​ Time-sharing OS enabled multiple users to interact with the computer at the same
time.
●​ Example: UNIX (1969) developed at AT&T’s Bell Labs became one of the most
influential OS.
●​ Introduction of the first graphical user interfaces (GUIs) in research labs.

4. Fourth Generation (1980s - 1990s): Personal Computers and GUI-Based OS

●​ Rise of personal computers (PCs) led to more user-friendly OS with graphical

interfaces.
●​ Microsoft introduced MS-DOS (1981) and later Windows (1985), making computing
accessible to non-technical users.
●​ Apple released macOS (formerly System 1) in 1984 with a full GUI experience.
●​ Linux (1991) was introduced as an open-source alternative.

5. Fifth Generation (2000s - Present): Mobile, Cloud, and AI-Based OS

●​ The rise of smartphones led to mobile OS like Android (2008) and iOS (2007).
●​ Cloud-based OS, such as Google Chrome OS, introduced the concept of web-based
computing.
●​ AI-driven OS improvements include predictive analytics, voice assistants, and
automation.

Examples of Popular Operating Systems:

1. Windows OS

●​ Developed by Microsoft, Windows is one of the most widely used operating

systems for personal and business computers.
●​ It provides a graphical user interface (GUI), making it user-friendly.
●​ Versions include Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11.
●​ Used for gaming, office work, and general computing.

2. macOS

●​ Developed by Apple Inc., macOS is designed for Mac computers.

●​ It offers a sleek user interface and tight security features.
●​ Versions include macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma.
●​ Preferred by creative professionals for video editing, graphic design, and
software development.

3. Linux

●​ An open-source operating system used for servers, desktops, and embedded

systems.
●​ It has many distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, etc.).
●​ Known for security, stability, and flexibility.
●​ Often used by developers and IT professionals.

4. Android

●​ Developed by Google, Android is an operating system for mobile devices like

smartphones and tablets.
●​ It is based on the Linux kernel and supports millions of apps via the Google Play
Store.
●​ Commonly used in brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus.

5. iOS

●​ The operating system for Apple’s iPhones and iPads.

●​ Known for its smooth performance, security, and exclusive apps.
●​ Apps are available through the Apple App Store.
●​ Works seamlessly with other Apple devices like MacBooks and Apple Watch.