OPERATING SYSTEMS

In the current technological age, computers are used in every aspect of life. Computers are used by various types of organizations, from big production systems to tiny local enterprises, to manage and enhance their processes.

Input, Process, and Output, or IPO, is the logic that underpins all computers when speaking generally about them. There are currently a number of devices designed to operate in accordance with this IPO logic.

• Tools like a mouse, keypad, or webcam are examples of input. These are the things that the CPU can use to start a process.
• The CPU, or central processing unit, carries out all of a computer’s activities, including arithmetic calculations, memory input and output, among many others, and is responsible for processing the IPO logic.
• The output is represented by devices that display the outcomes of all the operations the CPU carried out on our input. These consist of things like a printer, monitor, etc.

What is an OPERATING SYSTEM?

It’s challenging to sum up an operating system in a single sentence, but to put it simply, an operating system is a software package that controls the installation, execution, and shutdown of other software packages. It also serves as a user interface via which users may communicate with the hardware that supports it. The mind of a computer can be compared to an operating system. Like the human brain, an operating system aids in the smooth running of every computer task.

Why do we need an operating system?

A computer can be thought of as being made up of hardware, software, and data. An operating system thus :

• Coordinates the usage of the hardware by the numerous application programmes for the various users while in control of the hardware.
• Enables the proper utilization of these resources for the computer system’s functionality.
• Provides a setting in which other programmes can carry out their functions and finish their execution cycle.
• User programme execution and easier user programme solution.
• Make it easy to use the computer system.
• Utilize computer hardware effectively.

Operating System Design and Implementation:

An operating system’s design and implementation heavily depend on the user and the system requirements. When determining the prerequisites for an operating system, two objectives are taken into consideration:

User Objectives: An operating system should be simple to use, quick to pick up, secure, and dependable.

System Objectives: An operating system should be adaptable, dependable, error-free, and efficient, as well as simple to design, implement, and maintain.

Types of Operating Systems:

1. Batch Operating System

• This kind of operating system doesn’t communicate directly with the CPU.
• A device known as an Operator, which is used by batch type operating systems, groups jobs with comparable needs into batches.
• It is the Operator’s duty to group jobs with similar needs together.

2. Time-Sharing Operating System

• In order for the system to function properly, each task has a set amount of time assigned to it.
• Each user in a time-sharing operating system distributes the CPU according to time and functions as a single system.
• Each task’s execution time is measured in units called quantums. The OS then moves on to a new job after this period is up.
• This makes sure that each task is given an equal amount of time to complete.

3. Distributed Operating Systems

• In a distributed operating system, several computers are connected to each other using a common network.
• Each and every connection is an indigenous system, which accepts tasks from the user.
• The task is then distributed among the network to provide faster execution times.

4. Network Operating System

• These operating systems typically operate on huge business or community servers and meet the demands of several systems.
• Programs that require shared access to files, security applications, and databases do very well with network operating systems.
• Since every user can see every other user’s behavior and setup, all users in the system are closely integrated with one another.

5. The Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)

• These are the types of operating systems that handle data streams.
• They are quick and dependable since the data is fed continually and processed quickly.

What does an Operating System do?

An operating system performs three primary tasks:

• Control the resources of the computer, including the CPU, RAM, disc drives, and printers.
• The creation of a user interface
• Execute application programmes and offer related services. But keep in mind that an operating system does a lot of work that is hidden from the user and done in the background.

Advantages Of an Operating System:

User Interface:

1. User interface is the most significant benefit of an operating system, according to the list of advantages of operating systems.
2. It offers a platform for users to communicate with the underlying hardware without taking into account processing speed, memory management, or task management.
3. We would have to write all of our tasks in binary logic or assembly language if operating systems had not advanced to this point.

Multitasking:

1. Concurrent task execution is now possible thanks to the operating system thanks to the development of multiprocessor CPUs.
2. To accomplish multitasking, we can use ideas like multithreading and multiprocessing.

Resource Management:

1. The operating system controls all of our resources, including speakers, GPUs, printers, and processors.
2. For instance, if we need to issue several print instructions, we don’t need to worry because the operating system will schedule the tasks and allocate resources appropriately.

Disk management:

1. All data stored on discs is managed by the operating system.
2. All of the Page Tables, Index Tables, and Interrupts Vector Tables are likewise managed by it.

Security:

1. It is the Operating System’s job to keep the data stored on the device as secure as it can be.
2. The majority of operating systems accomplish this by hardware encrypting all of the data.
3. The majority of operating systems include antivirus programmes like Windows Defender to protect users from malware and trojan threats.

Disadvantages Of An Operating System :

Reliability

1. One of the main drawbacks of an operating system is this.
2. 90% of the time, when an operating system fails, the device’s data is also lost.
3. A fresh operating system installation can be difficult.

Fragmentation of Data

1. The operating system saves data in small blocks on the physical memory since there is little available memory. The fragmentation process is what causes this.
2. Data recovery becomes more challenging if physical memory becomes corrupt in the future because it is fragmented.

Cost

1. Operating systems become particularly difficult when it comes to cost.
2. The cost to construct an operating system is quite costly due to significant development input and complicated architectural and design issues.
3. Because of the high development costs, it is challenging for businesses to offer these operating systems at a discount.

Viruses

1. Even with all the technological improvement, viruses continue to provide a significant problem for enterprises and developers.
2. Viruses have the power to not only delete data but also to wipe out entire systems and steal sensitive data.

Complexity

1. Operating systems are quite complicated, making it challenging for someone with less education to comprehend them.
2. In the event of malfunctions and crashes, this complexity results in significant maintenance and servicing expenses.