Operating System
Subject: Computer Science / General Education / Nursing Informatics
Best for: Students learning the basics of computer systems and software
Definition of System Software:
System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of
the computer and its devices.
Definition of Operating System:
An operating system is system software that manage computer hardware and
software resources and provides common service for computer programs.
Function of an operating system:
-Control the various device.
-Control the allocation and utilization of shared resources (e.g. CPU time,
storage space, I/O devices).
-Start up or boot up the computer
-Protect the hardware and software from improper use. Maintain system
integrity.
-Deal with errors. (e.g. hardware failures, deadlocks, etc.)
-Keep records/statistics of programs run - date, time, cost, use of resources
etc.
-Send and receive messages
-Provide an interface between the hardware and the user.
-Provide for the management, scheduling and interaction of tasks.
-Administer security
,Operating System (OS): An Operating System (OS) is a collection of
software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common
services for computer programs. When you start using a Computer System then it's
the Operating System (OS) which acts as an interface between you and the
computer hardware. The operating system is really a low-level Software which is
categorized as a System Software and supports a computer's basic functions, such
as memory management, tasks scheduling and controlling peripherals etc.
This simple and easy tutorial will take you through step-by-step approach while
learning Operating System concepts in detail.
What is Operating System?
An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user and computer
hardware. 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.
Operating system components of computer system
Generally, a Computer System consists of the following components:
• Computer Users are the users who use the overall computer system.
• Application Software are the software which users use directly to perform
different activities. This software is simple and easy to use like Browsers,
Word, Excel, different Editors and Games etc. These are usually written in
high level languages, such as Python, Java and C++.
• System Software are the software which are more complex in nature and
they are more near to computer hardware. This software is usually written in
low-level languages like assembly language and includes Operating Systems
(Microsoft Windows, mac OS, and Linux), Compiler, and Assembler etc.
• Computer Hardware includes Monitor, Keyboard, CPU, Disks, Memory,
etc.
,Operating System - Examples
There are plenty of Operating Systems available in the market which include paid
and unpaid (Open Source). Following are the examples of the few most popular
Operating Systems:
• Windows: This is one of the most popular and commercial operating
systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It has different versions in
the market like Windows 8, Windows 10 etc. and most of them are paid.
• Linux This is a UNIX based and the most loved operating system first
released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Today, it has 30+
variants available like Fedora, OpenSUSE, CentOS, UBuntu etc. Most of
them are available free of charges though you can have their enterprise
versions by paying a nominal license fee.
• MacOS This is again a kind of UNIX operating system developed and
marketed by Apple Inc. since 2001.
• iOS This is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc.
exclusively for its mobile devices like iPhone and iPad etc.
• Android This is a mobile Operating System based on a modified version of
the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily for
touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Some other old but popular Operating Systems include Solaris, VMS, OS/400,
AΙΧ, z/OS, etc.
Operating System - Functions
To brief, Following is some of important functions of an operating System which
we will look in more detail in upcoming chapters:
• Process Management
• I/O Device Management
• File Management
• Network Management
• Main Memory Management
• Secondary Storage Management
, • Security Management
• Command Interpreter System
• Control over system performance
• Job Accounting
• Error Detection and Correction
• Coordination between other software and users.
• Many more other important tasks.
Types of Operating System
A. Batch operating system
The users of a batch operating system do not interact with the computer directly.
B. Time-sharing operating systems
Time-sharing is a technique which enables many people, located at various
terminals, to use a particular computer system at the same time. Time-sharing or
multitasking is a logical extension of multiprogramming. Processor's time which is
shared among multiple users simultaneously is termed as time-sharing.
C. Distributed operating System
Distributed systems use multiple central processors to serve multiple real-time
applications and multiple users. Data processing jobs are distributed among the
processors accordingly.
D. Network operating System
A Network Operating System runs on a server and provides the server the
capability to manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other
networking functions. The primary purpose of the network operating system is to
allow shared file and printer access among multiple computers in a network,
typically a local area network (LAN) a private network or to other networks.
E. Real Time operating System
A real-time system is defined as a data processing system in which the time
interval required to process and respond to inputs is so small that it controls the
, environment and display of required information is termed as the response time.
So, in this method, the response time is very less as compared to online processing.
Another Types of Operating System
Following are the major types of operating system
• Disk Operating System (DOS)
• Windows Operating System
• Unix Operating System
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.
• 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.
Subject: Computer Science / General Education / Nursing Informatics
Best for: Students learning the basics of computer systems and software
Definition of System Software:
System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of
the computer and its devices.
Definition of Operating System:
An operating system is system software that manage computer hardware and
software resources and provides common service for computer programs.
Function of an operating system:
-Control the various device.
-Control the allocation and utilization of shared resources (e.g. CPU time,
storage space, I/O devices).
-Start up or boot up the computer
-Protect the hardware and software from improper use. Maintain system
integrity.
-Deal with errors. (e.g. hardware failures, deadlocks, etc.)
-Keep records/statistics of programs run - date, time, cost, use of resources
etc.
-Send and receive messages
-Provide an interface between the hardware and the user.
-Provide for the management, scheduling and interaction of tasks.
-Administer security
,Operating System (OS): An Operating System (OS) is a collection of
software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common
services for computer programs. When you start using a Computer System then it's
the Operating System (OS) which acts as an interface between you and the
computer hardware. The operating system is really a low-level Software which is
categorized as a System Software and supports a computer's basic functions, such
as memory management, tasks scheduling and controlling peripherals etc.
This simple and easy tutorial will take you through step-by-step approach while
learning Operating System concepts in detail.
What is Operating System?
An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user and computer
hardware. 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.
Operating system components of computer system
Generally, a Computer System consists of the following components:
• Computer Users are the users who use the overall computer system.
• Application Software are the software which users use directly to perform
different activities. This software is simple and easy to use like Browsers,
Word, Excel, different Editors and Games etc. These are usually written in
high level languages, such as Python, Java and C++.
• System Software are the software which are more complex in nature and
they are more near to computer hardware. This software is usually written in
low-level languages like assembly language and includes Operating Systems
(Microsoft Windows, mac OS, and Linux), Compiler, and Assembler etc.
• Computer Hardware includes Monitor, Keyboard, CPU, Disks, Memory,
etc.
,Operating System - Examples
There are plenty of Operating Systems available in the market which include paid
and unpaid (Open Source). Following are the examples of the few most popular
Operating Systems:
• Windows: This is one of the most popular and commercial operating
systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It has different versions in
the market like Windows 8, Windows 10 etc. and most of them are paid.
• Linux This is a UNIX based and the most loved operating system first
released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Today, it has 30+
variants available like Fedora, OpenSUSE, CentOS, UBuntu etc. Most of
them are available free of charges though you can have their enterprise
versions by paying a nominal license fee.
• MacOS This is again a kind of UNIX operating system developed and
marketed by Apple Inc. since 2001.
• iOS This is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc.
exclusively for its mobile devices like iPhone and iPad etc.
• Android This is a mobile Operating System based on a modified version of
the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily for
touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Some other old but popular Operating Systems include Solaris, VMS, OS/400,
AΙΧ, z/OS, etc.
Operating System - Functions
To brief, Following is some of important functions of an operating System which
we will look in more detail in upcoming chapters:
• Process Management
• I/O Device Management
• File Management
• Network Management
• Main Memory Management
• Secondary Storage Management
, • Security Management
• Command Interpreter System
• Control over system performance
• Job Accounting
• Error Detection and Correction
• Coordination between other software and users.
• Many more other important tasks.
Types of Operating System
A. Batch operating system
The users of a batch operating system do not interact with the computer directly.
B. Time-sharing operating systems
Time-sharing is a technique which enables many people, located at various
terminals, to use a particular computer system at the same time. Time-sharing or
multitasking is a logical extension of multiprogramming. Processor's time which is
shared among multiple users simultaneously is termed as time-sharing.
C. Distributed operating System
Distributed systems use multiple central processors to serve multiple real-time
applications and multiple users. Data processing jobs are distributed among the
processors accordingly.
D. Network operating System
A Network Operating System runs on a server and provides the server the
capability to manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other
networking functions. The primary purpose of the network operating system is to
allow shared file and printer access among multiple computers in a network,
typically a local area network (LAN) a private network or to other networks.
E. Real Time operating System
A real-time system is defined as a data processing system in which the time
interval required to process and respond to inputs is so small that it controls the
, environment and display of required information is termed as the response time.
So, in this method, the response time is very less as compared to online processing.
Another Types of Operating System
Following are the major types of operating system
• Disk Operating System (DOS)
• Windows Operating System
• Unix Operating System
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.
• 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.
