OPERATING SYSTEMS

OPERATING SYSTEMS

1. What is a OS?

   • An OS is a set of programs specially made for the execution of various tasks, which serves as an intermediary between the user and the computer. This set of programs that manage the hardware of a computer or other electronic device.

2. How it work?

   • Is to ensure that all applications receive and process the amount of processor time needed to function properly. Also is to exploit the maximum possible number of processor cycles for everything to work properly together.

3. Types of OS

   • Within the broad family of operating systems, there are generally four types, categorized based on the types of computers they control and the sort of applications they support. The categories are:
     • Real-time operating system (RTOS) : Real-time operating systems are used to control machinery, scientific instruments and industrial systems. An RTOS typically has very little user-interface capability, and no end-user utilities, since the system will be a "sealed box" when delivered for use. A very important part of an RTOS is managing the resources of the computer so that a particular operation executes in precisely the same amount of time, every time it occurs.
     • Single-user, single task : As the name implies, 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.
     • Single-user, multi-tasking : This is the type of operating system most people use on their desktop and laptop computers today. Microsoft's Windows and Apple's MacOS platforms are both examples of operating systems that will let a single user have several programs in operation at the same time. For example, it's entirely possible for a Windows user to be writing a note in a word processor while downloading a file from the Internet while printing the text of an e-mail message.
     • Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows many different users to take advantage of the computer's resources simultaneously. The operating system must make sure that the requirements of the various users are balanced, and that each of the programs they are using has sufficient and separate resources so that a problem with one user doesn't affect the entire community of users. Unix, VMS and mainframe operating systems, such as MVS, are examples of multi-user operating systems.

4. OS Funtions

   • An operating system does two things:
     • It manages the hardware and software resources of the system. In a desktop computer, these resources include such things as the processor, memory, disk space and more (On a cell phone, they include the keypad, the screen, the address book, the phone dialer, the battery and the network connection).
     • It provides a stable, consistent way for applications to deal with the hardware without having to know all the details of the hardware.

5. OS developets

   • In the late 1940s, with what could be considered the emergence of the first generation of computers, there were no systems operativos.A early 50 operating system makes a discreet appearance. During the 60s and 70s there were noticeable changes, mostly aimed at further increasing the potential of computers and operating systems. UNIX and Multics arise. During the 80's with the integration of large-scale circuits and chips containing thousands of transistors began the rise of computers. -Mac OS-MS DOS