Student Notes Theory

Operating Systems
Further reading: G Taylor pg 150 - 152

System software consists of programs that control the operations of the computer
and its devices.
System software also serves as the interface between the user, the application
software and hardware.

System software includes the operating system, translators and utility programs.

What is the Operating System?

An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing instructions that

coordinate all the activities among hardware and software components of a computer
system. It is like a shop keeper who keeps a shop in order by attending to customers,
handling supplier deliveries, stocking the shelves, doing the bookkeeping, and so on.
The operating system relies on device drivers to communicate with each device in
the computer. The operating system also contains instructions to run application
software.

Application software
User Operating Hardware
System

The operating system in relation to the rest of the computer system.

Functions of an Operating System

Functions of an operating system include:
1. Allowing a user to communicate with the computer.
2. Memory Management
3. Spooling Print Job
4. Configuring Devices
5. Monitoring System Performance
6. Administering Security
7. Managing Storage Media and Files

1. Allowing a user to communicate with the computer. The OS accepts

commands from the user, performs the requested task, and report back to the user.
The user might give instructions to the computer to start a program, copy a file, send
a message to another user, and so on either by typing in commands recognised by
the OS or by using a mouse to point and click in GUI.

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2. The purpose of memory management is to optimize the use of RAM.

The operating system has to allocate, or assign items to areas of memory, called
buffers, while they are being processed; to monitor carefully the contents of these
items in memory; and to clear these items from memory when they are no longer
required by the CPU.

Some operating systems use virtual memory to optimize RAM. With virtual
memory (VM), the operating system allocates a portion of a storage medium,
usually the hard disk, to function as additional RAM
Remember: Buffer is an area of
memory in which data is placed
while waiting to be transferred to or
from an input or output device.

3. With spooling, the print jobs are placed in a buffer instead of being sent
immediately to the printer.
As soon as the print job is placed in the buffer, the CPU is available to process
the next instruction and the computer can be used for other tasks.
Multiple print jobs are queued, or line up, in the buffer and the program that
manages and intercepts print jobs and places them in the queue is called the
print spooler.

4. In the past, installing a new device often required setting switches and other
elements on the motherboard. Most of the operating systems today support Plug and
Play and can configure devices automatically.

5. A performance monitor is a program that accesses and reports information about

various system resources and devices. The information in such reports can help a
user identify problems with resources.

6. Administering Security - Most multiuser operating systems require each user to

log on.
Both successful and unsuccessful log on attempts are often recorded in a file so
the system administrator can review who is using or attempting to use the
computer.
Some operating systems also allow a user to assign passwords to files so that
only authorized users can open the

7. Resource Management & Scheduling – in computer systems which are capable

of running several programs at once (multiprogramming), the OS is responsible for
allocating CPU time, memory and input-output resources to each one. While one
program is executing, the OS is scheduling the use of input and output devices for
other jobs. Not all jobs are performed in the order they are submitted; the OS
schedules them in order to make the best possible use of the computer’s resources.

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Single-User and Multi-user Operating Systems

Single-user OS - allows only one person at a time to operate the computer. Thus
allowing only one user to run one program at a time.
This is the type of system found on Personal Computers. The
computer is only able to work through a unique set of devices and so
only the person using those peripherals can use the computer.

Multi-user OS (Multi-access OS) – allow many people to use a single computer at

one time (usually found in traditional mainframes and minicomputers).
By connecting many input/output devices to the same computer, every user will have
his/her own terminal and file directories. Multi-user systems require more security
procedures in order to perform accordingly, and this is usually done by using
passwords to restrict certain areas to certain users.

Types of Operating Systems

Operating systems have been evolving continuously since the first computer
generation. Most of the operating systems have been adapted to both the single-
user and multi-user computer systems.

The names given to the different types of operating systems include:

1. Batch Processing Operating Systems
2. On-Line Processing Operating Systems
3. Time-Sharing Operating Systems
4. Real-Time Operating Systems
5. Networked Operating Systems

1. Batch Processing OS – a job runs from beginning to end without

intervention from the user.
In a typical environment, a number of jobs (job=program+data), called a
batch, would be queued, then the computer will process the jobs one at a time
without further human intervention. Batch processing is still used today when
a job does not require human intervention, for example when printing
thousands of mailing labels, payrolls, etc.

2. On-Line Processing OS - Various users can access the computer system from local
or remote terminals. The operating system must identify the terminal and see if the
user is authorised, load any programs required and log the user off at the end.

3. Time-Sharing OS - Allows many tasks to have apparently simultaneous use of one

CPU. Each task is allowed a Time Slice - a brief period of time when access to the
CPU is available.
The concept behind time-sharing systems is the fact that the CPU is so fast in
executing a single program, that most of the time it remains idle until the user gives
the next command. To avoid such a waste of time, the operating system allows the
CPU to process more than one job at a time.
Time-sharing techniques can be used in both single-user systems and multi-user
systems, but:

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- In Multi-User systems, the focus is given on giving many users the chance to
send one program to the CPU to be processed, a process also known as Multi-
programming (or multi-tasking) – apparently executing two or more programs at
one time.
In multi-user systems, the computer checks each
terminal in turn by “polling” or “round robin” to see Remember: A multi-tasking
whether the user needs it. This happens so quickly, operating system allows a
single user to work on two or
and CPU speeds are so fast, that the user thinks he
more applications that reside in
has continuous use of the system. The response- memory at the same time.
time may be slowed, however, if the system is busy
with many people’s work.
- The Single-User Time-Sharing systems, provides the opportunity for the user to
perform many tasks simultaneously.

4. Real-Time OS - Is designed to process the data input so quickly to give

immediate feedback to the activity currently taking place in real-life or real
time. (respond to input instantly)

This is a special type of multi-tasking system that is mostly used in conjunction

with specialized multi-processor hardware equipment. In situations such as a
fighter aircraft targeting systems and missile guidance systems, it is
unacceptable to have a command waiting to be execute since any delay in
processing could be fatal.

5. Network OS - an OS which must handle the communication between the networked

computers, managing the data traffic, and the sharing of system’s resources.
In the systems discussed previously, it has been assumed that a single, central
computer (mainframe or minicomputer) handled all the processing. However, as
technology advanced, computers became cheap enough for all users to have a
microcomputer of their own, but stand-alone computers has the following
disadvantages:
- sharing data between different users becomes difficult
- peripherals such as printers have to be bought for each microcomputer, and
usually lay idle for most of the time

Such considerations lead to the development of networked systems, where many

computers are connected together to facilitate the sharing of data and peripherals.

Tasks performed by a Network OS include

Administration of system users
System maintenance tasks such as backup
File management tasks
Prioritizing print jobs on the network
Monitoring security on network resources
Many operating systems have network features built into them.

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