What Is Operating System And Its Features?

The operating system is the most important piece of software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer’s memory and processes, as well as the computer’s hardware and software. It allows you to interact with the computer.

If you do not know what the operating system then it does not matter because, after reading today’s post, you will understand it well.

With this, you will also know what the types of operating systems are and how they work. You will get the answers to all these questions by reading this post completely.

Friends and many parts of the human body are necessary for survival. But the soul is such a thing that if it is not there, then the human body is of no use. As long as the soul is there, the whole body works.

Whether any part works or not, the person remains alive. In the same way, like a soul, a computer also has something we call an operating system.

You already know what a computer is. It also has many parts. But until this happens, the computer will not work.

Introduction To Operating Systems

The operating system is a piece of software, which we also call OS in short. In a way, it is like a soul in a computer. Without it the computer cannot work at all.

It handles all the work between computer hardware and software. This is a kind of interface between the hardware and the users, i.e., us, which connects us.

To put it this way, there is a basis on which all the software and hardware work. All the hardware, like the keyboard, mouse, printer, and software, like MS Office, Photoshop, and Chrome, work on the operating system only.

For example, let us take a house. If there is no land to build a house, then what is the use of having bricks, cement,, and sand? Now you tell me, will you build a house without land?

Your answer will be no! In the same way, if you want to run a computer, you have a mouse, keyboard, printer, all the things but OS is not installed, then yes you are right that the computer will not turn on.

If you go to the shop and buy a new computer, it comes with Windows 7 or 10 installed on it. Suppose if you take it home without installing Windows, then you will have to go to the shop again.

Because your computer will not turn on without it.

MS Word, VLC Player—all these are application software. The software on which we work and with which the computer works is called system software.

The system software here is the OS itself. Now that you have understood what this is, let us get some more information about it.

What Are The Functions Of Operating System

It is because of this that the computer works, but it is also important to know how it works itself. How is it able to handle all the work from the time the computer starts until it turns off? This is something to think about. So let us know what are the functions of a computer.

1. Memory management
2. Processor management
3. File management
4. Device management
5. Security
6. Control over System Performance
7. Job Accounting
8. Error Detection Aids
9. Coordination between other software and users

Memory Management

The process of managing primary and secondary memory is called memory management. Primary memory which we know as RAM, is volatile memory. And whatever documents you work on, it keeps storing them temporarily. Main memory contains many arrays of words or bits, each of which has its address. Main memory is very fast and can be accessed directly from the CPU.

When we open any software by double-clicking, it must be in memory. Let’s take a brief glimpse of what else it does.

• It records every step of the primary memory. Like how much memory is being used and who is using it. For example, when we use Chrome, how much memory is it consuming and at the same time, if the music player is running, it will also use some RAM separately. It shows all this information.
• In multi-programming, the OS decides how much memory to give to which process and when.
• When different programs are started, it distributes memory among the programs.
• When a program is closed, it conserves memory.

Processor Management

In a multi-programming environment, the operating system decides which process is to be given the processor to use, when to be given to it, and for how long. This function is also called process scheduling. It performs the following activities for process management:

• The OS keeps track of all the work of the processor and records the status of every process.
• The one who runs this task is called a traffic controller.
• It distributes processors for any process.
• When a process stops, it is rolled back.

Device Management

You must be aware that every input and output device comes with a driver to install it. Before using all these inputs or external devices, we have to install the driver.

If you do not install the driver, the computer does not recognize that device. And because of this, the device does not even work.

Although in the OS till Windows 7, drivers had to be installed for all the devices, in the latest Windows, drivers have to be installed for very few devices.

This device manages communication through its driver. Let us see how operating system device management works.

• It tracks all devices. The program used to manage devices is called an I/O controller.
• The OS also decides which process to give the device to, when, and for how long. For example, we take the Photoshop program. To print a photo, as soon as you click on print, the OS executes the printer, which is an output device, for some time to process it. When the photo is printed, he takes the device back.
• Use the device for as long as possible, as I have mentioned in the above example.
• When the device completes its work, it is kept inactive.

File Management

To use the file easily, we create a folder and keep it inside it. This makes it easier for us to use any file by creating a category-wise folder and using it anytime. We also call a directory a folder.

More folders and files are created inside the folder. In this way, we know what other tasks the OS does.

• It tracks every piece of information. Along with this, it also keeps all the information about the location of the file, when the file was created, what is its size, and which user created it. The program that performs all this process is called the file system.
• The OS decides who will get the resource.
• Divides the resources among themselves.
• Withdraws resources when not in use.

Security

When we use other computers, we wish that only we can use them. So for this, it also gives us security.

We can create users for ourselves and keep them safe by entering a password. And even if there is more than one user, we can create a personal user for ourselves and use it.

The advantage of this is that the system is the same, but we can easily keep our data hidden, safe, and locked. This operating system gives us all the facilities.

Control Over System Performance

Sometimes it might have happened to you too that you wanted to start a program and it started after some time.

Or you might have tried to store one of your files, and it might have been processing for a long time. The OS records the delays in all these performances and also records how long the system took to respond to complete a process.

Job Accounting

OS does a lot of work, and it also keeps track of what tasks a user has done after starting the computer till it turns it off. It also tracks in which file the work has been done.

Error Detecting Aids

Many times, it happens that software and programs hang while working. And it also happens that due to some error, the software stops midway. The OS also keeps track of all these errors.

Coordination Between Other Software and Users

The OS itself creates coordination between the programming languages ​​that work inside the computer and the commands and inputs given by the users.

For example, when we type “Aa,”  the system understands what we have written according to the (0,1) code. Then it processes it and understands the programming language, then understands it and shows it to us through the output device.

For all this performance, the platform that provides the work in between is the OS itself.

Types Of Operating Systems

Every day, some change happens in the world. In the same way, the OS of a computer also keeps changing. Technology is becoming more advanced.

Now such a time has come when scientists have achieved a lot of success in artificial intelligence as well.

If there is no change in the OS, then this is not possible. NASA has now reached Mars. So you can guess from this whether the operating system you use at home would be used in rocket science.

No, for this very advanced OS which has ultimate features, From this, you must have understood that it is not of just one type.

There are different types according to their use and need. It is used as per need. So let us know how many types of operating systems are there.

1. Batch operating System
2. Network Operating System
3. Time-Sharing Operating System
4. Distributed Operating System
5. Real-Time Operating System

Batch Operating System

In batch operating systems, users do not interact directly with the computer. There is an operator in it who groups similar jobs and makes batches as per the need.

It is the responsibility of the operator to sort the jobs with similar requirements and make them in different batches.

Advantages of Batch Operating System 

• It is very difficult to know how much time a job will take to complete. Only the processors of the batch system know how much time it will take to complete the jobs in the queue.
• Many users can share this system.
• Batch system idle time is very low.
• This system can manage repeated, large tasks easily.

Disadvantages of the Batch System

• There is no direct interaction between the computer and the user.
• Computer operators need to have very good knowledge of batch systems.
• Debugging batch systems is a big problem.
• This is expensive.
• When a job fails once, one has to stand in line to complete it again. It may take a lot of time to complete.

Network Operating System

These systems work on servers. Which can manage data, users, groups, applications, security, and all other networking systems.

If you go to any company, you will see many computers there that work as a private network. All these computers are connected.

In this way, they work on a server. In this, you can access files, print, and log in from any system.

Example: I work in an automobile company. There are many computer systems here, and all are connected to a server.

We can open and use the files stored on this server from anywhere, that is, we can work on the files kept on the server from any system.

Even to take a print, we go to any system and take a print from a common printer. Apart from this, the same login ID can be used to login into any system.

Advantages

• Its centralized servers are very stable
• All security issues can be managed by the server itself.
• New updates are easily implemented on all computers simultaneously.
• You can work from any system by remotely accessing another system with the help of VNC.

Disadvantages

• The servers used in this are very expensive.
• For every type of process, one has to depend on a centralized system.
• It is important to have it maintained and updated regularly.

Time-Sharing Operating System

In this type, some time is given to complete each task so that each task can work smoothly. In this, every user uses a single system, so time is given to the CPU.

This system is also called a multitasking system.

The task done in it can be done by a single user or by a multi-user.

In this, the amount of time taken to execute each task is called the quantum. After completing each task, it then starts the next task.

Advantages

• Equal opportunity is given to complete every task.
• There is very little chance of duplication of software.
• CPU idle time can be reduced in this way.

Disadvantages

• There is a problem of reliability in this.
• Everyone has to take care of security and integrity in this.
• The problem of data communication is common.

Examples of time-sharing operating systems are: Unix

Distributed Operating System

This type of system is an advanced technology in the world of computer technology. 

Which has been started recently. It has been adopted all over the world and is being used in every corner.

When many autonomous i.e. independent computers are connected and used as a single system, then it is called a distributed operating system.

It is not at all necessary that all the computers be in one place. They can be connected even while being in different places.

You must have heard about LAN and WAN. If you don’t know, I will tell you. When many computers are in one place and connected, it is called a LAN distributed system.

When many computers are connected from different places, it is called a WAN distributed system.

Advantages:

• If one system fails, there is no impact on the entire network. All systems are free from each other and not dependent.
• Email increases the speed of data exchange.
• Resources are shared, which is why the work is very fast and efficient.
• It takes very little time to load the data.
• Reduces data processing delay

Real-Time Operating System

The real-time operating system is a data processing system in which the process and response time for any input is very short.

In other words, by using this type of system, we view any data live from the internet.

Using this system, a specialist doctor sitting in London operates on a patient in America. For this, they use robotic hands.

This has become possible because of this system

In this, the time taken after input till output is called response time.

Some examples of using such systems are Scientific experiments, Medical Imaging systems, Industrial control systems, Weapons systems, robots, Air traffic control systems,s, etc.

There are two types of real-time.

1. Hard Real-Time Systems

This is a system that has a time limit. He completes his task in the target time given.

There is no scope for error in this. This type of system is used to save lives.

Like parachutes, airbags, and medical operations. So now you can understand how strong such systems are.

2. Soft Real-Time Systems

There is no time limit of any kind in this type of system. If any task is going on, that is taking more time, then there is no problem with it.

So friends, now you have understood very well how many types of operating systems are there. And all the mentioned types are very important. 

To understand how the operating system works, let us now know some characteristics of the operating system.

Characteristics Of Operating System

• An operating system is a group of software programs that form a base on which other programs can run.
• To install all the software, it is very important to have an operating system.
• The operating system controls all the input and output devices connected to the computer.
• It works as an interface between the user and the hardware. That is, when we input the work we do through the keyboard and mouse, the operating system controls it and then shows it to us through output devices.
• If we want to keep our data safe then it also gives us security. For this, it also gives us many features.

Friends, now you must have understood very well what it does.

In Short

I hope you have taken all this information. With the changes taking place in technology every day, some new improvements are being made in it every day.

Due to its continuous updating, we often get many new features. So friends, how did you like today’s post?

Friends, today’s information is very important. If you are studying computer-related courses and operating systems, then you need to know what is an operating system.

Besides, it is also important to know how many types of operating systems are there.

I hope you like this information. If you liked it then please share the post with your friends also.