OPERATING SYSTEMS

OVERVIEW
• WHAT IS AN OPERATING
SYSTEM?

An operating system is a program which

acts as an interface between an user and
a computer and the computer hardware.
In other words…
• An interface between users and hardware - an
environment "architecture”
• Allows convenient usage; hides the tedious stuff
• Allows efficient usage; parallel activity, avoids
wasted cycles
• Provides information protection
• Gives each user a slice of the resources
• Acts as a control program.
 The Layers Of A System

Humans

Program Interface

User Programs

O.S. Interface

O.S.

Hardware Interface/
Privileged Instructions

Disk/Tape/Memory
 Types of OS
• Batch processing OS
• This system works on a series of programs
that are held in a queue.
• Time-Sharing or Multi-User OS
• This system is used in computer networks
which allows different users to access the
same data and application programs on
the same network.
 Types of OS
• Multi-Tasking OS
• More than one process (task) can be
executed concurrently.
• Real-Time OS
• This system is designed to respond to an
event within a predetermined time.
 Types of OS
• Multi -Processor OS
• This system can incorporate more than
one processor dedicated to running
processes.
• Embedded OS
• It refers to the operating system that is self-
contained in the device and resident in
ROM.
 Functions of OS
• Process Management
• As a process manager it handles the
creation and deletion of processes,
suspension and resumption of processes,
and scheduling and synchronization of
processes.
• Memory Management
• Handles allocation and deallocation of
memory space as required by various
programs.
 Functions of OS
• File Management
• Device Management
• Security Management
• User Interface
 Multi-tasking
Process-
based
It allows to run two or more programs
concurrently
a program is the smallest unit of code
that can be dispatched by the scheduler.
Processes are heavyweight tasks that
require their own separate address
spaces.
Thread-
based
It allows to run two or more threads
concurrently
thread is the smallest unit of
dispatchable code.
Threads are lightweight tasks that
share the same address space and
cooperatively share the same
heavyweight process.
 The Thread Life cycle suspend()
wait()
sleep()
I/O blocking
start() Blocked
New Runnable
(Born) Not runnable
resume()
notify()
sleep time

stop() out, I/O finished

run() stop()
stop() ends
run()
ends
run()
ends

Dead
Dead
 OPERATING
Characteristics
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Other Characteristics include:
• Time Sharing - multiprogramming environment that's also interactive.

• Multiprocessing - Tightly coupled systems that communicate via shared memory. Used
for scientific applications. Used for speed improvement by putting together a number of off-
the-shelf processors.

• Distributed Systems - Loosely coupled systems that communicate via message passing.
Advantages include resource sharing, speed up, reliability, communication.

• Real Time Systems - Rapid response time is main characteristic. Used in control of
applications where rapid response to a stimulus is essential.
 OPERATING Storage
SYSTEM OVERVIEW Hierarchy
Very fast storage is very expensive. So the Operating System manages a hierarchy of
storage devices in order to make the best use of resources. In fact, considerable effort
goes into this support.

Fast and Expensive

Slow an Cheap