Didactic_material_10_comparison_of_operating systems

Operating system types:   

1.    On the basis of processing

·       Batch Processing OS

·       Multitasking OS

·       Multiprocessing OS

·       Multiprogramming OS

·       Real-time OS

·       Multithreading OS

       2.    On the basis of user interface

·       CUI

·       GUI

       3.    On the basis of mode of user

·       Single user OS

·       Multiuser OS

Single task

Single task - this operating system is designed to manage the computer so that one user can effectively do one thing at a time. The Palm OS for Palm handheld computers is a good example of a modern single-user, single-task operating system.

Batch processing

A batch processing is a group processing system in which all the required inputs of all the processing task are provided initially. The result of all the task are provided after the completion of all the processing. Its main features are

                     i.            Multiple task are processed.

                    ii.            User cannot provide input in between processing.

                   iii.            It is appropriate only when all the inputs are known in advance.

                   iv.            It requires larger memory.

                    v.            CPU idle time is less.

                   vi.            Printer is the appropriate output device.

                  vii.            It is old processing technique and rarely used at present.

Multitasking OS are of two types:

         1)    Pre – empetive multitasking

         2)    Co-operative multitasking

In the pre-empetive multitasking, the OS allows CPU time slices to each program. After each time  slice, CPU executes another task.

Example:- Windows XP

In co-operative multitasking, a task can control CPU as long as it requires. However , it will free CPU to execute another progrqam if it doesn’t require CPU

Example :- Windows 3x , Multifinder

Multiprocessing OS

A multiprocessing OS can support the execution of multiple number of the same time. It uses multiple number of CPU. It is costlier. However, the processing speed will be faster. It is complex in its execution.

Operating system like Unix,64bit edition of windows, server edition of windows, etc are multiprocessing.

Multiprogamming OS

In a multiprogramming OS, more than one programs can be used at a same time. It may or may not be multiprocessing, In a single CPU system, multiple programs are executed one after another by dividing the CPU in small time slices.

Example :- Windows, linux, Unix, etc.

Multithreading OS

A program in execution is known as process. A process can be further divided into multiple sub processes. These sub- processes are known as threads. A multi-threading OS can divide process into threads and execute those threads. This increases operating speed but also increases the complexity.

Example :- Unix, Server edition of Linux and Windows

Server operating system

A server operating system, also called a server OS, is an operating system specifically designed to run on servers, which are specialized computers that operate within a client/server architecture to serve the requests of client computers on the network.

Server operating systems help enable and facilitate typical server roles such as Web server, mail server, file server, database server, application server and print server.

Popular server operating systems include Windows Server, Mac OS X Server, and variants of Linux such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

Network operating system (NOS)

A network operating system (NOS) is a computer operating system system that is designed primarily to support workstation, personal computer, and, in some instances, older terminal that are connected on a local area network (LAN). Artisoft's LANtastic, Banyan VINES, Novell's NetWare, and Microsoft's LAN Manager are examples of network operating systems. In addition, some multi-purpose operating systems, such as Windows NT and Digital's OpenVMS come with capabilities that enable them to be described as a network operating system.

 A network operating system provides printer sharing, common file system and database sharing, application sharing, and the ability to manage a network name directory, security, and other housekeeping aspects of a network.