The Purpose of Operating System

An operating system (OS) is a software program, but it is different from word processing
programs, spreadsheets, and all the other software programs on computer.

The operating system performs the following functions:

 Displays the on-screen elements with which you interact the user interface the
user interface.
 Loads programs (such as word processing and spreadsheet programs) in to the
computer’s memory so that you can use them.
 Coordinates how program works with the computer’s hardware and other
software.
 Manages the way information is stored on and retrieved from disks.
In this lesson we can learn about the types of operating system and the services they
provide. Then we will learn about some of the enhancements can make to your OS using
utility software.

Types of Operating Systems

Operating systems can be organizes into four major types: real time, single user/single-
tasking, single user/multitasking, and multi-user/multitasking. The following sections
described each types of OS.

Real- Time Operating System:

A real time operating system is a very fast, relatively small OSs. Real-time OS are often
also embedded OSs, when they are built into the circuitry of a device and are not loaded
from a disk drive. A real-time application is an application that respond to certain inputs
extremely quickly thousandths or millionths of a second (milliseconds or microseconds,
respectively). Real- time applications are needed to run medical diagnostics equipment,
life-support systems, machinery, scientific instruments, and industrial systems.

Single tasking operating system

An operating system that allows a single user to perform just one task at a time is a
single tasking operating system. To a user, a ``task₺ is a function such as printing a
document, writing a file to disk, editing a file, or downloading a file from a network
server.

Single user operating system

A single user operating system is one that allows a single user to perform two or more
functions at once. It takes a special operating system to keep two or more tasking
running at once. A disadvantage of a single user is the increase size and complexity it
needs to support multitasking , while keeping the related features users have come to
expect, such as a graphical user interface, and the ability to share data between two or
more open programs.

Multi-user operating system

A multi user operating system is an operating system that allows multiple users to use
programs that are simultaneously running on a single network server, called a terminal
server
An advantage of these operating system is that they can be managed by simply making
changes to one server, rather than to many desktop computers.

Providing a user interface

When working on a computer we see and use a set of items on the screen. Taken
together, these items are called the user interface. The two most common types of user
interfaces are graphical and command line

Graphical user interfaces

Most current operating system s, including all versions of windows, the mackintosh
operating system, OS/2, and some version of UNIX and LINUX, provide a graphical user
interface. Graphical user interfaces are so called because use a mouse to work with
graphical objects such as windows, menus, icons, buttons and other tools
Command-line interfaces

Some older operating systems and some current version of UNIX and LINUX feature a
command-line interface, when uses typewritten commands rather than graphical
objects - to execute tasks. A command line interface displays in character mode – using
only equal sized alphanumeric and simple symbols.

Running programs

The operating system provides a consistent interface between application programs and
the user. It is also the interface between those programs and other computer resources
such as memory, a printer or another program. Programmers write computer programs
with built instructions – called system calls – that request services from the operating
system. They are known as ‘calls’ because the programs has to call on the operating
system to provide some information or service.

Sharing information

Many types of applications move chunks of data from one place to another. For
example, one may want to copy a chart from a spreadsheet program and lace the copy
in a document in a word processing program. Some operating system accomplish this
feat with a feature known as the clipboard

Managing hardware

When programs run, they need to use the computers memory, monitor, disk drivers and
other devices such as a printer. The operating system is the intermediary between
programs and hardware

Processing interrupts

The operating system responds to request to use memory and other devices, keep track
of which program have to access to which devices, and co-ordinates everything the
hardware does so that various activities do not overlap causing the computer to become
confused and stop working.
Working with devices drivers

In addition to uses interrupts, the operating system often provides programs for
working with special devices such as printers. These programs are called drivers because
they allows the operating system and other programs to activate and use – that is
”drive” – the hardware device.

Enhancing an OS with utility software

Operating system are designed to do most of the tasks normally would want to do with
a computer such as managing files, loading programs, printing documents and so on.
The following sections describe a small selection of popular utilities:

Backup utilities

For safe keeping a backup utilities can help to copy large group of files from hard disk to
another storage medium, such as tape or a CD-R disk. Many newer operating systems
feature built- in backup utilities, but feature-rich backup software is available from other
sources.

Antivirus

An antivirus utility can examine the contents of a disk or RAM for hidden viruses and
files that may be acts as hosts for virus code. Effective’s antivirus products not only
detect and remove viruses; they also help recover data that has been lost because of a
virus.

Firewall

Most corporations employ specialized computers on their internet connections that are
dedicated to examining and blocking traffic coming from and going to the internet. Such
a computer is called a firewall and manufacture such as Cisco, 3COM, and others offers
these products at a very high price.
Intrusion detection

While a firewall offers protections from predictable intrusion, intrusion detection

software reveals the types of attacks a firewall is thwarting, creating logs of the attempts
and notifying certain types of intrusion attempts.

Operating system yesterday and today

The personal computer has come a long way in a relatively short time, and much of the
progress is due to the continuing advancement in operating systems. Over the past 30
years, the evolution in operating systems has made PCs easier to use and understand,
more flexible and more reliable. Today, in addition to the operating systems that
consumed hundreds of megabytes of disk space on personal computers, miniaturized
operating systems fit into tiny handheld portable digital assistants (PDAs) and even
cellular telephones.
This lessons is a survey of the primary operating systems used on personal computers
and network servers today, describing the basic features of each.

PC operating system

Microsoft windows operating system continues to thrive on PCs all over the world and
has the largest market share of any competitor. at this writing, even management at
apple computers admits that the mackintosh has just 5% of the desktop of OS market.
But LINUS is making inroads on the desktop

DOS

Even though it has been around for decades, DOS is still in use today, for a variety of
reasons. DOS originally came into widespread use in 1980s with the appearance of the
IBM PC, which was the first personal computer to catch on with consumers and
businesses.
DOS controls the flow of information between the user and the computer
MS – DOS

MS – DOS is derived from DOS.DOS was designed in order to be used as an operating

system for all personal computers.
The system functions are overseen by MS – DOS. These functions include monitor
support , disk input and output, keyboard control, and internal functions related to
program execution and file maintenance
MS – DOS is a system which is capable of performing only one task at a time and hence,
it is named as a single tasking system

Windows NT workstation

Microsoft released NT, a 32 – bit operating system for PCs, in 1993.windows NT (new
technology) was originally designed as the successor to DOS, but by the time it was
ready to release, it has become too large to run on most of the PCs used by consumers
at the time.

Windows 2000 professional

Released in 2000, windows 2000 combines the user friendly interface and features of
windows 98 with the file system, networking, power and stability of windows NT and
some new and improved features. This combination of features makes windows 2000
both powerful and easy to use.

Windows XP

Windows XP released in October 2001 is the latest in the windows suite of PC operating
system families. Here are some of the features that have been upgraded in windows XP:

 Digital media support

 Advance networking and communications
 Advance mobile computing
Windows vista
Windows vista is an operating system from Microsoft and is part of the windows series
of operating systems. It was released in late 2006 and offers enhancements in reliability,
security, easy development and performance over its previous version of, Windows XP

The macintosh operating system

The fact that the macintosh operating system works only on macintosh computers has
long been considered one of the operating systems biggest drawbacks. Although it has a
small market share, the MAC remain the first choice of many publishers, multimedia
developers, graphic artists and school

UNIX

Another familiar operating system which is similar to DOS is UNIX.UNIX is composed of

three parts: kernel, shell, and the programs. Where the kernel is the hub of the UNIX OS.
The main function of the kernel is to allocate memory and time to the programs. It also
handles system calls in response to the storage of files and communications.

Networking operating system

A networking operating system is an OS that is designed to run on a network server

dedicated to providing various services to other computers on the network. The ‘other’
computers are called client computers, and each computer that connect to a network
server must be running client software designed to request a specific service.

Windows NT server

While it shares the same core as Windows NT workstation, windows NT server has
additional capabilities. Microsoft fined tuned Windows NT server so it would function as
an operating system for servers. It has security features for grouping and authenticating
users and controlling their access to network resources.

Windows 2000 servers

Introduced in 2000, Microsoft windows 2000 server is available as three products, all of
which support managing very large stores of data about the users of the network and
the computer resources of the network. The three products are:

 Server standard edition

 Advance server
 Data center server

Windows server 2003

Microsoft extended its windows server system line with windows server 2003,
introduced in April 2003 as two products:

 Windows server 2003 standard edition

 Data center server
Windows server 2003 has a windows XP style interface that hides a very beefed up
server Os that Microsoft hopes will compete with UNIX, which dominates the very high
– end enterprise network servers.

Windows 2008 servers

This server operating system is based on the kernel of windows vista. A Windows 2008
server offers increased liability and flexibility in the server environment. Windows 2008
server has four main versions which is different in 32 bit and 34 bit system.

Novell NetWare

NetWare was one of the earliest and most popular network operating systems in terms
of number of installations through the 1980s and into the 1990s. Although the market
share has declined in recent years, Novell still has a strong following and continues to
bring out new network products.

UNIX for servers

Because of the ability to work with so many kinds of hardware and its reliability, UNIX
remains a very frequently chosen operating system for internet host computers. In the
business world, UNIX remains a popular network operating system, especially among
organizations that manage large database shared by hundreds or thousands of users.

LINUX for servers

LINUX has garnered a large share of the small business and home market as a Server OS
for providing internet and networking services. an open operating system, it is a cost
effective alternative to other operating systems for sharing files, application, printers,
modems and internet services.

Embedded operating system

Embedded operating system is one that is built into the circuitry of an electronic devices
Unlike a PCs operating system, which resides on a magnetic disk. Embedded operating
systems are now found in a wide variety of devices, including appliance, automobiles,
bar-code scanners, cell phones, medical equipment, and personal digital assistant.