OPERATING SYSTEMS

By Shreya Mozumdar 6B

WHAT IS AN OPERATING SYSTEM?

An operating system (OS) is a program that, after being loaded onto the computer, manages all the other programs on the computer.

The other programs are called applications or application programs.

The applications use the operating system by making requests for services.

The users can interact directly with the operating system using a command language or graphical user interface (GUI).

WHAT DOES AN OPERATING SYSTEM DO? Operating Systems manage the hardware and software of a

computer. On a desktop computer, it manages the processor,

memory, disk space, etc. On a cell phone, it manages the keypad, screen, address

book, phone dialer, battery and network connection. It provides a stable, consistent way for the applications to

use the hardware without having to know all details (of the hardware).

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS - RTOS

There are four kinds of operating systems and the first one is RTOS or real-time operating system.

This operating system is used to control machinery, scientific instruments, etc.

The RTOS operates in such a way that an operation takes the same amount of time each time it occurs.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS – SINGLE USER, SINGLE TASK

This operating system is designed such that a user can effectively do one thing at a time.

The Palm OS, or palmtops are some examples of single user, single task systems.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS – SINGLE USER, MULTI-TASKING

Nowadays people use this system on their computers. This allows a single user to have many operations on at the

same time. Some examples are Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS – MULTI-USER

This operating system allows many users to access the computer’s resources together.

The system must make sure that the requirements of the users are balanced, and that the programs they are using are sufficient and separate, so that a problem with one of the users does not affect the others using the system.

Some examples are UNIX, VMS and MVS.

POPULAR OPERATING SYSTEMS

DOS – Disk operating System One of the earliest Operating Systems and was not very

user-friendly. Windows - Managed by the Microsoft Corporation

It is user-friendly and introduced WIMP: Windows Icons Menus Pointing Device (mouse)

Mac OS – A product of Apple’s Macintosh. Linux – Created and maintained by computer programmers

worldwide.

THE LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM

This is an open-source OS, meaning it’s code is publicly available.

It is run by computer programmers around the world. It is free for use. Firefox and Android are based on Linux. Linux cannot run applications like iTunes and Photoshop.

MACINTOSH OPERATING SYSTEM

Considered to be one of the finest computing platforms. It has a range of innovative visual features that make it

attractive: ‘Floating Dock’ instead of static start menu ‘Spotlight’ which allows search for files and documents. ‘Expose’ function allows user to see all the open windows at once ‘Quick look’ lets users preview a video, PDF, or spreadsheet without

opening it. Mac OS works only on Apple computers and this limits its use. It is normally used on individual work stations and not for entire

networks.

WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM

Dominates the home computer market. Large office networks often use Windows and Microsoft Office

for their operations. Windows 7 and Windows 8 are highly user-friendly and popular. Windows can be installed on a wide variety of computers

making it the most widely used OS.

MARKET SHARES OF DIFFERENT OS

Market Shares of Operating Systems

Windows 7Windows XPWindows 8Windows 8.1Windows VistaMac OS X 10.9LinuxMac OS X 10.8Mac OS X 10.6Mac OS X 10.7Mac OS X 10.5Windows NTMac OS X 10.4Windows 2000Mac OS X Windows 98

COMPARISON

DOS Linux Macintosh Windows

Not user-friendly Somewhat user-friendly

Highly user-friendly

Highly user-friendly

Based on commands

Both commands and graphical user interface (GUI)

Highlight is its superior GUI

Has excellent GUI

Not popular Popular among Computer programmers

Popular as individual work stations

Most popular in homes and office networks

-------- Open-source Run and maintained by Apple

Run and maintained by Microsoft

------- Usable on any computer

Only on Apple computers

Any computer

---------- Free for use Costly Costly

MY PREFERRED OS

As a home user, I will choose Macintosh as my Operating System.

I would choose it because it has extremely attractive and very user-friendly features.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/operating-system-OS http://computer.howstuffworks.com/operating-system2.htm http://computer.howstuffworks.com/operating-system3.htm http://www.calvin.edu/~rbobeldy/tutorials/os/basics.htm http://www.nashnetworks.ca/pros-cons-and-costs-of-operating-

systems.htm http://www.scribd.com/doc/12826411/Types-of-Operating-System http://smallbusiness.chron.com

/five-common-operating-systems-28217.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google

/8187962/Google-Chrome-comparison-of-operating-systems.html http://www.geek.com

/desktop-computer-buyers-guide/operating-system/

THANK YOU