Operating System

Operating System

1. Software in any computer system. Consists of a group of system software which manages the resources of the computer e.g. retrieving data from storage or monitoring input and output

2. Single user operating system only allows one user to operate the a device at a time

   • Ads: Dedicated to one task at a time. Easy to use. Inexpensive, user-friendly
     • Dis: Only one user can operate the device at a time. May not be able to do what you want. takes long time to carry out task

3. Multi user operating system enable two or more users to have access at the same time

   • Ads: prevents other individuals looking at youhr documnets also stops them from overwiriting software
   • Dis: more facilities required e.g. must be able to prevent several users accessing the computer processor at the same time and overwriting each other's software or data

4. Single processor a chip with one CPU unit

   • Ads: release CPU of disk scheduling and other tasks. Suitable for general purpose computers
     • Dis: Cannot run multiple processes at a time. Traffic and errors are more likely to occur

5. Multiprocessor a chip with more than one CPU unit

   • Ads: better performance, better reliability. If one CPU gets damagged another can be used
   • Dis: expensive large main memory required. Requires IT specialist if there are issues