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 Table of content
1 Operating System
2 Objectives of OS
3 Functions of Operating System
3.1 1. Memory Management
3.2 2. Processor Management/Scheduling
3.2.1 Purpose of CPU scheduling
3.3 3. Device Management
3.4 4. File Management
3.5 5. Storage Management
4 What are the functions of Operating System
4.1 Browse more Topics under Operating System
5 Types of Operating System
5.1 1. Batch OS
5.2 2. Time-Shared OS
5.3 3. Distributed OS
5.4 4. Network OS
5.5 5. Real-Time OS (RTOS)
5.5.1 a) Hard Real-Time Systems
5.5.2 b) Soft Real-Time Systems
6 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Operating System
An operating system (OS) is a program that acts as an
interface between the system hardware and the
user. Moreover, it handles all the interactions
between the software and the hardware. All the
working of a computer system depends on the OS at
the base level. Further, it performs all the functions
like handling memory, processes, the interaction
between hardware and software, etc. Now, let us
look at the functions of operating system.

Operating System

Objectives of OS
The primary goals of an operating system are as
follows:

Convenience – An operating system improves the use

of a machine. Operating systems enable users to get
started on the things they wish to complete quickly
without having to cope with the stress of first
configuring the system.

Efficiency – An operating system enables the efficient

use of resources. This is due to less time spent
configuring the system.

Ability to evolve – An operating system should be

designed in such a way that it allows for the effective
 development, testing, and introduction of new
features without interfering with service.

Management of system resources – It guarantees

that resources are shared fairly among various
processes and users.

Functions of Operating System

1. Memory Management

It is the management of the main or primary

memory. Whatever program is executed, it has to be
present in the main memory. Main memory is a
quick storage area that may be accessed directly by
the CPU. When the program is completed, the
memory region is released and can be used by other
programs. Therefore, there can be more than one
program present at a time. Hence, it is required to
manage the memory.

The operating system:

Allocates and deallocates the memory.

Keeps a record of which part of primary memory is

used by whom and how much.

Distributes the memory while multiprocessing.

In multiprogramming, the operating system selects

which processes acquire memory when and how
much memory they get.

2. Processor Management/Scheduling
Every software that runs on a computer, whether in
the background or in the frontend, is a process.
Processor management is an execution unit in which
a program operates. The operating system
determines the status of the processor and processes,
selects a job and its processor, allocates the processor
to the process, and de-allocates the processor after
the process is completed.

When more than one process runs on the system the

OS decides how and when a process will use the CPU.
Hence, the name is also CPU Scheduling. The OS:

Allocates and deallocates processor to the processes.

Keeps record of CPU status.

Certain algorithms used for CPU scheduling are as

follows:

First Come First Serve (FCFS)

Shortest Job First (SJF)

Round-Robin Scheduling

Priority-based scheduling etc.

Purpose of CPU scheduling

The purpose of CPU scheduling is as follows:

Proper utilization of CPU. Since the proper utilization

of the CPU is necessary. Therefore, the OS makes sure
that the CPU should be as busy as possible.
 Since every device should get a chance to use the
processor. Hence, the OS makes sure that the devices
get fair processor time.

Increasing the efficiency of the system.

3. Device Management

An operating system regulates device connection

using drivers. The processes may require devices for
their use. This management is done by the OS. The
OS:

Allocates and deallocates devices to different

processes.

Keeps records of the devices.

Decides which process can use which device for how

much time.

4. File Management

The operating system manages resource allocation

and de-allocation. It specifies which process receives
the file and for how long. It also keeps track of
information, location, uses, status, and so on. These
groupings of resources are referred to as file
systems. The files on a system are stored in different
directories. The OS:

Keeps records of the status and locations of files.

Allocates and deallocates resources.

Decides who gets the resources.

5. Storage Management

Storage management is a procedure that allows

users to maximize the utilization of storage devices
while also protecting data integrity on whatever
media on which it lives. Network virtualization,
replication, mirroring, security, compression,
deduplication, traffic analysis, process automation,
storage provisioning, and memory management are
some of the features that may be included. The
operating system is in charge of storing and
accessing files. The creation of files, the creation of
directories, the reading and writing of data from files
and directories, as well as the copying of the contents
of files and directories from one location to another
are all included in storage management.

The OS uses storage management for:

Improving the performance of the data storage

resources.

It optimizes the use of various storage devices.

Assists businesses in storing more data on existing

hardware, speeding up the data retrieval process,
preventing data loss, meeting data retention
regulations, and lowering IT costs

What are the functions of Operating System

Security – For security, modern operating systems
employ a firewall. A firewall is a type of security
system that monitors all computer activity and blocks
it if it detects a threat.

Job Accounting – As the operating system keeps track

of all the functions of a computer system. Hence, it
makes a record of all the activities taking place on the
system. It has an account of all the information about
the memory, resources, errors, etc. Therefore, this
information can be used as and when required.

Control over system performance – The operating

system will collect consumption statistics for various
resources and monitor performance indicators such
as reaction time, which is the time between requesting
a service and receiving a response from the system.

Error detecting aids – While a computer system is

running, a variety of errors might occur. Error
detection guarantees that data is delivered reliably
across susceptible networks. The operating system
continuously monitors the system to locate or
recognize problems and protects the system from
them.

Coordination between other software and users –

The operating system (OS) allows hardware
components to be coordinated and directs and
allocates assemblers, interpreters, compilers, and
other software to different users of the computer
system.

Booting process – The process of starting or

restarting a computer is referred to as Booting. Cold
booting occurs when a computer is totally turned off
 and then turned back on. Warm booting occurs when
the computer is restarted. The operating system (OS) is
in charge of booting the computer.

Browse more Topics under Operating System

Need for Operating System

Types of Operating System-Interactive (GUI Based)

Time Sharing

Real Time Operating System (RTOS)

Distributed Operating System

Commonly Used Operating System

Mobile OS

Types of Operating System

The operating system can be of different types. They
are as follows:

1. Batch OS

In this system, the OS does not forward the jobs/tasks

directly to the CPU. It works by grouping together
similar types of jobs under one category. Further, we
name this group as a ‘batch’. Hence, the name batch
OS.

Examples are the payroll system, bank statement,

etc.

2. Time-Shared OS
When more than one task takes place on the system
it is called time-shared OS. As multiple tasks can run
at the system at a time as per requirement. Hence,
they all share the CPU time one by one. Therefore,
we also name it multitasking. The time that each
task gets is called quantum.

A fixed interval of time is decided for each task.

When the first task executes for that period of time,
the second task executes, and so on.

Examples are UNIX etc.

3. Distributed OS

In this system, there is more than one CPU present.

The OS distributes the tasks among all the
processors. The processors do not share any memory
or clock time. OS handles all communication
between them through various communication lines.

Examples are LOCUS etc.

4. Network OS

In these OS various systems are connected to a

server. It allows the system to share resources such
as files, printers, applications, etc. Moreover, it gives
the capability to serve to manage these resources.

Examples are UNIX, LINUX, Microsoft Windows

Server 2008, etc.

5. Real-Time OS (RTOS)
In these systems, the time interval for processing and
responding to inputs is very small. Therefore, due to
this quality, these are used in real-time situations.
For example in missile systems, robots, etc.

They have two categories as follows:

a) Hard Real-Time Systems

In this, the time constraint is very short and strict.

Even seconds of delay is not acceptable.

b) Soft Real-Time Systems

In this, the time constraint is not so short and strict.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is an OS?

A1. An operating system is a set of programs that acts

as an interface between computer hardware and
user.

Q2. List the functions of OS.

A2. Functions of OS are:

Memory Management

Process Management/CPU Scheduling

Device Management

File Management
 Security

Accounting

Error detection etc.

Q3. What are the types of operating systems?

A3. Major types of OS are:

Simple Batch OS

Multitasking/Time-shared OS

Distributed OS

Network OS

Real-Time OS

Q4. What is CPU scheduling? Give examples.

A4. Every resource and application requires a

processor. Therefore, when multiple tasks are
running on the system it is necessary to manage the
CPU time and usage. Hence, the OS keeps track of the
CPU and allocates and deallocates the CPU to devices
and applications accordingly.

Examples of scheduling algorithms are:

First Come First Serve (FCFS)

Shortest Job First (SJF)

Round-Robin Scheduling
 Priority-based scheduling etc.

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