- Describe the need for an Operating System.
- Explain the features and functions of OS.
- Describe the different type of OS.
- Differentiate between CUI and GUI based operating system.
Operating system :
Operating system is the basic software which should be present in a computer system to make it work. It is the software which acts as an interface between the user and the hardware. The working environment provided by the operating system to the user after it gets loaded on the computer is called its interface.
Need for an Operating System :
The first program that gets loaded when a computer is switched on, is the BIOS. BIOS or Basic Input Output Sytem is a set of programs which reside in the ROM ( firmware provided by the manufacturer).It provides software drivers for the basic peripheral devices i.e. the input and output devices like keyboard and printers etc . The computer activates the hard disk drive and locates the bootstrap loader.
The bootstrap loader is a small program that Loads the operating system into memory and allows it to begin its work. The operating system then manages all the other programs or applications in a computer. This process is called a Booting. The operating system is the most important program. It basically runs the computer and manages all its Software and Hardware resources.
You can see in the figure below that the user interacts with the hardware through an application which in turn interacts with the hardware through the operating system. To interact directly with hardware the user would have to use machine language which as we already know is difficult to work with!
Some of the tasks the operating system performs are -
- Act as the interface between the user and the computer
- recognizes inputs from the mouse or the keyboard
- keeps track of all the files stored on the computer
- Allocates resources to the various running programs
- Provides security to the computer system
- Prevents unauthorised access to the computer
Functions of Operating System
Operating system is a platform between hardware and user, which is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of a computer. Let us learn about the major functions of the operating system.
1. Process management : it deals with managing all running processes. It takes care of the processor time being allocated to them based on their priority. Different methods are used to decide the allocation of CPU time.
It allocates CPU or processor time to a program.
It monitors the status of all running programs.
It de-allocates the processor when the process is completed.
2. Memory management : the memory manager is an OS coordinates the memories by tracking which one is available, which is to be allocated or de-allocated.
It takes care of swepping between the main memory and secondary memory.
The Operating system also keeps track of the memory used by each process.
It de-allocats the memory so that when a process terminates,all memory used by it will be released.
3. File management : operating systems controls the creation, deletion and access of files of data and programs.
It monitors where they are stored.
It monitors which file is to be allocated to which job.
It ensures that they are closed after the task is completed.
4.Device management : a device driver is a computer software which allows interaction with hardware devices. This forms and interface for communicating with the device.
It keeps track of all the devices.
It provides commands to/from the device for receiving or sending data.
It allocates / de-allocats the devices to different process.
5. Networking and Security : most operating systems include some level of security by using password etc. They are also capable of communicating with other computers on the
network and can share resources such as files printers etc.
6. Error detecting aids :The OS constantly checks for possible errors. It sends error message and retrieves resources from faulty processes.
7.Coordination between other software and users : it coordinates and manage the allocation of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to various users and processes.
first Operating System coded by Microsoft was Xenix. But, it was MS-DOS made for IBM PCs that become popular!
The different types of OS commonly used are --
1.Single-user Operating System : A single-user operating system is a system in which only one user can access the computer system at a time. Eg. MS DOS, Windows 95.
2. Multi-user Operating system : A multi user operating system allows multiple users to access a computer system concurrently. For this purpose, a network is laid down so that a computer can be used remotely. It also supports Time-sharing. Mainframes and mini computers work on multi user OS.Examples are Unix, Linux and mainframes such as the IBM AS400.
3.Multi-tasking and Single-tasking Operating System :When a single program is allowed to run at a time, the system is said to be a single-tasking system. In case the operating system allows the execution of multiple tasks at one time, it is termed as a multi-tasking OS. Eg Windows versions after Windows 95.
4. Multi-processor Operating systems :A multiprocessor system consists of several processors which share a common memory. They provide high computing power and speed to the users. Eg. Windows 7, Unix, Linux.
5.Real-time operating System : RTOS- commonly pronounced as "are-toss" is a multitasking OS. It aims at executing applications in real-time and it responds to input within a specific time period. It is commonly used in Robots and scientific research. Banking, railway and flight bookings etc., work on real time systems.
6. Distributed Operating System : in this case, the operating system manage a group of independent computer and makes them appear to be a single computer. This is known as a distributed operating system.
7. Embedded system :These operating systems are designed for being used in devices for specific purpose only and are known as embedded operating system. For example, they are used in washing machines, PDAs, microwaves, cars, traffic lights, digital televisions, ATMs etc.
User interface :
User interface is the way in which a user interacts with a computer or a software, to input and receive data. There are different types of user interface but the most commonly used are CUI and GUI.
Character user interface (CUI)
1. Also known as command line interface (CLI).
2. In this the user gives the input by typing a command using the computer keyboard.
3. The system provides output by printing text on the computer monitor.
4. The user must know program-specific instructions and its correct syntax.
5. In experienced users find it difficult to use a CUI.
6. Processing is fast as a command is executed by the system immediately.
7. MS DOS is an example of the CUI operating system.
You can see MS-DOS Screen below :
Graphical User interface (GUI)
1. The user provides input by using a mouse to select pictures or icons.
2. It is user friendly and provides easy means to interact with the system.
3. It is based on WIMP - Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers. This consists of a window with icons and menus from which a user can select the option with the help of a pointer which moves in the window.
4.GUI's also give you the benefits of WYSIWYG --- What You See Is What You Get!
5. Windows and LINUX are examples of GUI.
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Advantages of GUI.
- You don't have to learn complicated commands.
- it is user friendly.
- You get the benefit of WYSIWYG.
- You can exchange data between different software applications.
- GUI is much easier to navigate.
- You can run more than one task at a time.
Popularly used Operating System :
MS DOS
• MS-DOS stands for Microsoft disk operating system.
• It was originally developed by Microsoft for IBM in August 1981.
• it is a 16-bit operating system which is loaded from a floppy or hard disk.
• It does not support multiple users or multitasking.
• it is a non-graphic command line operating system which does not support the current applications.
Unix
• it is a computer operating system used for multitasking and for multiusers.
• it was developed at the Bell Labs research centre in 1969.
• Developed by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie.
• It is the first portable operating system written in the C language.
• It provides a set of simple tools.
Linux
• It is a free Unix-like operating system.
• It was created by Linus Torvalds in 1992.
• This operating system is very popular with networking professionals.
• It is an open source software which is free.
• It provides user security using authentication features like password.
• It is also a multiuser-multiprogramming system.
Mac OS
• It is Unix-based graphical interface operating system developed by Apple Inc. in 1984, to be used by Macintosh computers.
• Originally, it was called System x (x represented the version numbers).
• System is no longer used since the release of Mac OS 8.
• It is an integrated system in which software and hardware work together perfectly.
• You can do everything on Mac using simple, intuitive gestures.
• It is a multiuser- multi tasking system.
Windows
• It is the most popular operating system released on 20 November 1985.
• It is developed by Microsoft owned by Bill Gates.
• It has several versions of the OS like Windows 96/98/2000, Windows XP/NT and more recently Windows 7/8/10.
Ubuntu
• It is an easy to use operating system.
• It is free software which is Linux based.
• It was developed by UK- based Canonical Ltd., owned by Mark Shuttleworth.
• It was first launched in October 2004.
• Ubuntu is a unique single platform OS for all kinds of computing.
• It also runs network servers.
BOSS--Bharat Operating System Solutions
• it was developed at centre for development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Chennai INDIA.
• This software package has been described as Indian's own PC operating system.
• It was developed for enhancing the use of Free/Open source software throughout India.
Mobile Operating Systems
Mobile operating system is also called a mobile OS. It is an OS that he is specially designed to run on mobile services such as mobile phones smartphone PDAs, tablets etc.The mobile OS is the software platform on top of which other application programs can be used on mobile devices.
Commonly used mobile OS are --
Android OS
The Android mobile operating system is Google's open and free software for use on mobile services, including smartphones. Updates have been developed with code names Cupcake Donut, Eclairs, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich etc. Many mobile phones using this OS are Sony Ericsson, Samsung, HTC etc.
iPhone OS/iOS
Developed by apple, the iPhone OS was originally developed for use on its iPhone devices. This mobile operating system is referred to as iOS since it is supported on a number of Apple devices including the iPhone, iPad, iPad 2 and iPod Touch. The iOS mobile operating system is available only on Apple's own manufactured devices.
Symbian OS
This OS originally developed by Symbian Ltd., is a mobile operating system which targets at mobile phones. Symbian was used by many major mobile phone brands, like Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and above all by Nokia. It was the most popular smartphone OS worldwide until the end of 2010.
Windows Phone
Microsoft released a hugely revamped version of its Windows platform for mobiles in late 2010, called windows Phone. It has a mobile-optimised version of the
Internet Explorer for accessing the web. It has a tile-based interface which has removeable and interchangeable squares section on the home screen. Each section has its own purpose and function.
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