What is an Operating System (OS)?

An Operating System (OS) is a set of programs or programs that manage the fundamental processes of a computer system and allow the remaining processes to run normally.

What is the Operating System, and What are its Types?

An operating system is a set of programs or software designed to provide comfortable and efficient communication between the user and the machine. It is responsible for the management of computer resources, including managing the hardware from the most basic levels.

At the beginning of the calculation, the programmer should have some deep knowledge and should be able to contact the hardware if its program fails.

It should examine the values ​​of the indicator lights and panels of the computer’s status to determine the cause of the error. Once again, it should look at the procedures to set aside and adjust the system time, as well as correct your program.

The importance of operating systems has historically emerged from the way in which computers are operated through first-generation add-on boards since the 50s.

Then, through collections in the second generation, the operator can be significantly improved, as it always performs a series of repetitive steps, one of the features considered in the definition of a program.

That is, it became clear that the tasks of the operators themselves can become concrete in a program called an “Operating System” over time due to its enormous complexity. Therefore, the first operating systems include the Fortran Monitor System (FMS) and IBSYS.

Each computer system is generally divided into two parts: hardware and software.

The software makes helpful hardware and can be divided into two classes: system programs (essential software) that manage computer operations and application software that perform beneficial actions for users.

Among the system programs, we can talk about operating systems, compilers, translators, and editors. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system for other programs to work.

History

Operating systems have historically been associated with the architecture of the computers they work in, so this is their history.

Operating systems have undergone a series of revolutionary changes called generations.

As far as hardware is concerned, generations are marked by significant advances in components used in valves (first generation) to transistors (second generation), integrated circuits (third generation), and extensive and very large-scale integrated circuits for the fourth generation.

Each consecutive hardware object was accompanied by significant reductions in cost, size, heat emission, and power consumption, as well as substantial increases in speed and capacity. Currently, there is a wide variety of systems, such as Windows 10 and Linux.

   First Generation

In this decade, batch processing systems have emerged where groups or groups collect jobs.

When any task was performed, the machine had complete control. At the end of each task, control is returned to the OS that clears, reads, and starts the next task.

The concept of system file names appears to have achieved information independence.

General Motors research labs have made history, being the first to operate an OS for the IBM 701s.

   Second Generation

Multi-program standard systems were developed in this generation, where several processors were used in a single system to increase the processing power of the machine.

The program just stated that a file would be written to a tape drive with a certain number of tracks and a specific density.

The OS then installed a tape drive with the desired features and instructed the operator to attach the tape to that drive.

   Third Generation

Currently, the IBM/360 family of computers has been created, designed as general use systems, and requiring the processing of large volumes of different types of data, resulting in a new evolution of systems: multi-mode systems that support concurrent batch support processes, time-sharmultiprocessingprocessing, and multiprocessing.

   Fourth Generation

The systems known in the current period are considered fourth-generation systems.

With the widespread use of computer networks and online transactions, it is possible to gain access to remote computers geographically through various terminal types.

In these systems, the concept of virtual machines unrelated to the computer hardware to which the user wants to connect appears. Instead, the user observes a graphical interface created by the system.

Components

The system consists of a set of software packages that can be used to manage interactions with the hardware.

Memory is the core that represents the essential functions of the system, such as processes, files, main inputs/outputs, and communication functions.

Providing communication with the OS through a control language, the command interpreter allows the user to control the peripherals without knowing the features of the hardware used and the management of physical addresses.

It is the file system that allows files to be saved in the tree structure.

In short, operating systems are an interface with operators, application developers, system programmers, programs, hardware, and users.

Functions

   Processor Management

The OS manages the distribution of the processor between different programs via a programming algorithm.

The programmer type depends entirely on the OS, depending on the desired target.

   Random Access Memory Management

The OS is responsible for managing the memory space reserved for each application and user, if appropriate.

When physical memory is low, the OS can create a memory space on the hard drive called virtual memory.

Virtual memory space allows you to run applications that require more memory than RAM in the system. However, this memory is much slower.

   Input/Output Management

It enables one to combine and control programs’ access to material resources through drivers.

   Application Execution Management

Allows applications to run smoothly by allocating the resources they need to perform their functions.

   Authorization Management

It is responsible for the security of the execution of the programs and guarantees that the resources are used only by programs and users with relevant authorities.

   File Management

It manages the read and write operations of the file system and accesses powers for application and user files.

   Knowledge Management

It provides a set of indicators that can be used to diagnose the correct operation of the computer.

Features

   Ease

It makes using a computer easier.

   Productivity

It provides the most efficient use of computer resources.

   Development Ability

It must be created in such a way as to allow the development, testing, or effective entry of new system functions without interfering with a service.

   Hardware Capability

It is responsible for better managing the computer’s hardware resources; that is, it assigns a portion of the processor to each resource to share resources.

   Communication Ability

The user should be responsible for communicating with peripheral devices when required. It organizes data for fast and secure access.

   Network Management

It allows the user to easily manage everything related to the setup and use of computer networks.

   Providing Input and Output

It should make it easier for the user to access and manage the computer’s input/output devices.

   Troubleshooting

It prevents users from blocking each other and reports whether another user occupies this application.

   Providing Statistics

It enables the sharing of hardware and data among users.

Resource Management

Another task of an OS is to manage the computer resources when two or more programs are running at the same time and need to use the same resource.

In addition, in a multi-user system, in addition to physical devices, sharing information is often necessary or appropriate.

Safety issues should also be taken into account. For example, only authorized users should access confidential information; no user can overwrite critical areas of the System.

In short, the OS should keep track of who is using which resources are providing resources to those who are requesting resources and should arbitrate any conflicting requests.

Tasks Performed

1. It provides the user interface with the system.
2. It shares hardware resources among users.
3. It allows users to share their data.
4. Prevents a user’s activities from interfering with other users’ activities.
5. Facilitates access to I/O devices.
6. Manages errors.
7. It has control over the use of resources.

The resources it manages are processors, storage, input/output devices, and data.

Classifications

A classification was required due to the evolution of systems. Considering the differences between its components, we can classify them as follows:

   1) Batch Systems

Batch systems require that information be collected collectively or collectively.

The works are processed according to the “first come, first” model in the order of acceptance. In these systems, memory is divided into two zones.

One of them is occupied by the OS, and the other is used to install temporary programs for execution. When the execution of a program is completed, a new program is loaded in the same memory area.

   2) Multiprogramming Systems

Multiple programming systems can support two or more simultaneous processes and allow instructions and data from two or more methods to remain in primary memory at the samemultiprocessingtems, including a multiprocessing operation for information management. They are primarily characterized by a large number of simultaneously active programs competing for system resources such as processors, memory, and I/O devices.

These systems monitor the status of all active programs and system resources.

   3) Multi-User Systems

Multi-user systems provide simultaneous access to a computer system through two or more terminals.

This type of OS is essential in the management of computer networks today.

   4) Timeshare Systems

Timeshare systems try to provide equal sharing of shared resources to give users the impression that they have a separate computer.

In these systems, the memory manager often ensures the isolation and protection of programs since they do not need to communicate with each other.

I/O control is responsible for providing or removing mappings to maintain the system integrity of the devices and serve all users.

The file manager provides protection and control over the access of information, given the possibility of compliance and conflict when trying to access the files.

   5) Real-Time Systems

These systems aim to provide faster response times and to process information without interruption.

In these systems, the memory manager is in relatively less demand as many processes are permanently in memory.

The file manager is usually found on large real-time systems, and its primary purpose is to manage access speed rather than efficient use of secondary storage.