operating system

OPERATING SYSTEM

Operating System (OS) is a program that manages all the other programs in a computer; it is defined as a collection of softwares that manages computer hardware resource and provides common services for computer programs.

TYPE OF OPERATING SYSTEM

1. Single User OS: ​Majority of small computer based system have monitors which allow a single user to operate the machine in interactive, conversational mode and normally only allow one user to be in the main memory and process at a time.

2. Multi user OS: This allows multiple users to access a computer system at the same time. Time sharing and internet servers can be classified as multi user systems.

Other types are:

3. Real time OS: This is a multitasking system that aims at executing real time application. The main objective of real time OS is their quick response to events.

4. Distributed OS: A distributed operating system manages independent computer and makes them appear to be a single computer.

5. Embedded OS: These are designed to be use in embedded computer system. They are designed to operate on small machines like PDA’S (Push Down Automators) with less autonomy.

EXAMLPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

➢ DOS

➢ Windows XP

➢ Windows vista

➢ Mac OS X

➢ Unix – Linux

➢ Apple Dos

➢ Apple Lisa

➢ Android OS

➢ Oberon

➢ Free DOS

FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

1. Controls booting of the computer

2. Manages input and output devices

3. Provides user interface

4. Handles system resource

5. Provides store management

6. Prioritizing system request

7. Controls allocation of memory in the computer