What is operating system?

 An operating system is required for any device to run. Every device has an operating system, such as iOS for Apple iPhones, Android for normal phones, Windows for computers, Linux, etc., so in this article we will know what is operating system . How does it work? How many types of operating systems are there? Let us know what is operating system.

What is operating system?

Operating System (OS) is software that runs other programmes on a computer. The operating system acts as an intermediary between the user and the computer system. It explains our instructions to the computer. Other software programmes and hardware are operated by the operating system.

If the operating system is not in the computer, then the computer cannot do its work. It will remain like a non-living one. The operating system is very important for starting the computer. With the help of the operating system, the hardware of the computer becomes functional.

The purpose of an operating system is to facilitate the use of a computer. The user needs an operating system to run other programmes on any computing device (desktop, laptop, smart-phone, tablet, etc.). Examples of some well-known OS: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS, etc.

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Functions of Operating System

Whenever the computer is turned on, the operating system is first loaded. Operating system has many functions (services) in the computer which are as follows –

1. Memory Administration:

The operating system manages the primary memory and secondary memory. The primary memory of the computer is RAM, in which all the programmes run by the computer are saved.

The operating system keeps complete information about RAM, how much memory is being used, how much memory is to be given to which process, and it all determines the operating system. When the programme is closed, the operating system takes back the memory.

2.Process Management:

As we know, the CPU can execute only one process at a time. But we are able to run multiple programmes simultaneously on our computers. This is because the operating system  allows those processes to run in a multi-programming environment. That is, the operating system decides when and for how long all the processes ready for execution will access the CPU.

This feature of the operating system  is called Process Scheduling. Apart from this, it monitors the status of the process and the processor, and when the process is completed, it deals with the processor (CPU). The programme that monitors the status of the process and the processor is known as the traffic controller.

3. Device Administration:

The operating system  manages many types of devices inside the computer, which the operating system  can access. In which there are also many types of drivers. such as Wi-Fi Driver, Bluetooth Driver, Sound Driver, etc. Apart from this, there are also some input and output devices. All these are managed by the operating system . For example, on giving the command to print out from the printer, the operating system directly processes the data to the printer, after which the print comes out from the printer.

 4. File Administration:

Many directories are organised into single files. Because with this, we can easily find the data. For example, it organises information by location and status. All this sees the file system. And who will get which resources? Or to de-allocate the resource.

5. It provides security:

If we do not want our computer to be used by anyone other than us, then the operating system gives us the facility of a password so that our computer remains secure. If we want, we can lock a particular programme or create more than one user and put different passwords in each.

5. System Efficiency: 

The operating system keeps on optimising the performance of our computer from time to time. All this information is saved inside the operating system and how long it takes to process a file is known.

6. Hardware conceals data:

The interaction between the hardware and the operating system occurs when the user gives instructions to the computer. We, i.e., the end user, do not know about that. because this information is useless to us. Therefore, it is hidden.

Thus, we only see the answer and the output. The processing of the input given by us is not visible to us. All this happens between the hardware and the operating system itself.

7. Error detection:

 

Tell the error. If there are many errors in the system, then the OS detects and recovers them.

8.It provides a UI:

The operating system acts as an interface for the user to use the computer resources. This can be a graphical user interface (GUI), in which the user clicks on an on-screen element to communicate with the OS; apart from this, it can be a command-line interface (CLI), in which the user gives commands to the OS to perform the task.

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Types of Operating System

The operating system is divided into several categories. But, here we will know some of the major types of operating systems.

1.Batch Processing Operating System:

In batch OS, the user does not interact directly with the computer. The user first creates the job and gives it to the computer operator, who takes similar jobs with similar requirements and groups them into batches and gives them to the computer to process. The result they get is then given to the user. Such OSes used to be there in the olden times.

2.Multiprogramming System:

If more than one process or programme is placed in the main memory of the computer to execute, then it is called multiprogramming. Whenever a process is run on the computer, it needs input and output time in addition to CPU time, and when the process does I/O or some other event in which there is no need for CPU, then that much CPU time is wasted. Instead of sitting, Idle takes a context switch, and starts running another process lying in main memory. By doing this, the CPU never idles and the rest of the process also does not have to wait for execution.

3.Distributed Operating System :

Distributed systems use many processors located on different machines to provide very fast computation to their users.

4.Network Operating System:

These operating systems consist of a server, to which many other client computers are connected. The Network Operating System provides this central server with the ability to manage data, security, applications, and other networking functions for all other client computers. These operating systems allow a small private network to share access to files, printers, security, applications, and other networking functions with other computers connected to its network. Apart from this, the client computer is also well aware of the underlying configuration of other computers connected to the network and their individual connections etc. That is why it is also known as a Tightly Coupled System.

5. Real-Time Operating System:

A real-time operating system is used when the user is working with real-time data. Therefore, as soon as the data arrives, the process has to be executed without any delay, so that there is no buffer delay.

If you have to process a large number of requests in a very short time, then in that case, a real-time operating system should be used.

6.Time-sharing Operating Systems:

A time-sharing operating system enables people located at different terminals (shells) to use a single computer system at the same time. The processor time (CPU), which is shared among multiple users, is termed time sharing.

Categories of Operating System

1.Single-user Operating System: A single-user operating system allows only one user to work at a time. Many users cannot work on this operating system at a time.

2.Multi-user Operating System: In this operating system, more than one user is allowed to work simultaneously. Hundreds of users can do their work on this operating system at a time.

3.Single Tasking Operating System: It is an operating system that can perform only one task at a time. It is known as a "Single Tasking Operating System. You cannot, for example, listen to music while typing a letter in the DOS operating system. 

4.Multitasking Operating System: This operating system allows the user to run many different programmes simultaneously. On this operating system, you can also write e-mail at a time and chat with your friends.

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examples of operating systems

Different operating systems are used for different tasks. Here I have shared the operating system list, which most people like to use-

• Microsoft Windows
• Google's Android OS
• Apple iOS
• Apple macOS
• Linux Operating System

All these examples are very big and popular operating systems. Although there are other operating systems apart from these, most people know them.

Features of Operating System

The following are the most important features of the operating system:

1. Operating system is used to start the computer.
2. Error Detection and Handling.
3. The operating system runs other programmes on the computer.
4. protect information and resources.
5. It provides security.
6. It provides a UI.
7. The operating system is easy to use. The operating system in today's time is called Graphic User.

Conclusion

Hope you have understood what is an operating system? Any information related to this, which we have not been able to tell, then leave a comment, we will share the complete information in the next post, share the information about the operating system with your friends.

 

reference - operating-system-kya-hai-hindi/

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