Operating system | All types of Operating System Explained with examples

Explanation of all types of Operating Systems

The world becomes smarter day by day. We also should be smart. In modern days to become smarter, we should be connected with Technology. We are all should have at least a basic knowledge of technology. I'm not writing this post only for computer students. I am writing this article for all because we are all should know about it. In this post, we are going to know what is Operating System? and the Types of the Operating System.

There are many types of Operating systems but before going to know the types of Operating systems we should know what an is Operating system.

What is an Operating System?

An Operating system is nothing but a software that reduces our efforts to operate a computer or smartphone or any processor-based device by managing all hardware and resources. The Operating System is also called System Software.

Let's understand the Operating System.
If you think that a computer cannot run without an operating system then I will say it is wrong. Yes, it is true that computers are made in such a way that they need an operating system. The computer is nothing but a processor with its peripherals together. So to better understand the Operating system stop thinking about the computer and only think about the processor.

Actually, the main unit of a computer is a Processor which needs the instruction for its operation. We can give the instruction in the form of machine language or in the form of software or program to the processor for its operation. So we can operate a processor without an operating system only giving the programs but in the case of the computer, as we want to perform a lot of tasks that's why we use the Operating system to reduce the effort.

Suppose we want to transfer data from one folder to another folder. How it possible? In this case, we need to write a program and give to the processor. After reading the program the processor will transfer the data one folder to another folder. In every day we do a lot of data transfer operations. So we will lose a lot of time if we write the program for every operation. In this case, the operating system helps us. The operating system already has the program, we just need to click on the Move option then the data will be transferred.

Actually, the main function of the operating system is to simply the works. In earlier days we needed to write programs for every operation like Copy. Move etc. But nowadays we do not need to write programs for those operations, just one click and the task will be complete.

The operating system also performs all the basic tasks of the different software installed on the computer. For example, we want to play a movie on the VLC player and a song on the KM Player. So for both cases, the VLC player and KM player need to take data from the memory. So the operating system gives the data from the memory to the VLC player and KM player. So we can say the Operating System fills all the needs of the software.

As software communicates with hardware through the operating system in any computer the software or applications are made based on the operating system. For example, the application software VLC player is available for different Operating systems. For this reason, we search on the INTERNET,  VLC player for Windows, VLC player for Mac, etc and then we download the software.

Now let's go to know the types of Operating systems. We use different types of Operating systems to perform different types of Tasks.

Types of Operating Systems:

There are many different types of Operating System we will discuss only important types,

1. Batch Operating System
2. Multiprogramming Operating System 
3. Distributed Operating System
4. Time-sharing Operating System
5. Real-Time Operating System

What is Batch Operating System?

The batch operating system can be understood easily with an example. When we go to the shop to make copies of documents. We give the documents to the Xerox machine operator. Then the operator put the documents in the Xerox machine and prints the copies. The batch operating system is very similar to this.

The batch operating system is a very old operating system. People prepared their tasks on a card and had to submit them to the computer operator. Then the computer operator group similar tasks into batches and give them to the computer.  As the tasks are given to the computer in the form of a batch it is called the Batch operating system. The computer gives the output after performing all the tasks of the batch.

What is a Multiprogramming Operating System?

In a Single programming Operating system, when any program needs I/O operation at this time the processor does not do any work, therefore, there is a waste of time. To overcome this problem multiprogramming operating system is used.
In a multiprogramming operating system, the Processor executes a no. of programs at a time. It is also possible for batch operation. Suppose we were given a batch of programs to the processor. The processor starts executing a program but when that program needs I/O operation the processor starts execution of another program.
So in a Multiprogramming Operating System the processor never be Idle it works all the time.

What is a Distributed Operating System?

This operating system is used when a no. of the computer are connected by a network and all the computers are performing the same task. The computers are may be connected to a server computer which manages all computers. All computer users can use that Server. For Example, the ATM system is an example of a distributed operating system. All the ATM machines are connected by a network and to the Bank Server. The bank Server manages all the ATM Machines.
The other example is when we use WhatsApp then we are all connected to the WhatsApp Server and that server provides or manages data.

What is a Time-Sharing or Multitasking Operating System?

Don't confuse with Multiprogramming and Multitasking Operating systems they are not the same.
For example, you are working on MS Word and listening song using VLC Player together. In this case, the processor executes the programs of both tasks. The processor executes the programs of MS Word for a certain time then it starts executing the programs of VLC Player and stops executing the programs of MS Word. After a certain time, it again starts executing the programs of MS Word and stops executing the programs of VLC Player. This process continues repeating until you use both software.

As in this operating system, the processor can do multiple tasks it is called a multitasking system, and as the processor shares time for executing the programs of all multiple tasks that is why it is called Time time-sharing Operating system.

What is Real-Time Operating System?

In which operating system the processor takes a very little time to give output after giving the input. The real-time operating system mainly does data processing. In the industrial control system, these types of operating systems are used. Suppose a company has a processor-based speed controller for the motor. The processor controls the speed of the motor according to the load on the motor and many other things. In this case, the processor gives output immediately after taking the input to control the speed.
Traffic light Control system, Robots also use the real-time operating system because they need to give respond quickly.

Examples of Operating Systems:

Operating Systems for Personal Computers,
The examples of the operating systems that are used in personal computers are,

1. Microsoft Windows
2. Apple Mac OS
3. Linux

The examples of the operating system which are used in Servers are,

1. Microsoft Windows Server 2003
2. Microsoft Windows Server 2008
3. Linux Server Operating System

The examples of the operating system which are used in mobile phones,

1. Apple iOS
2. Android
3. Windows Phone 7
4. Symbian

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