CLASSIFICATION OF OPERATING SYSTEMS ACCORDING TO CAPABILITIES
Single-User Single-Process Operating Systems
o Single-user systems provide support for only one user at a time. Some provide
multiprogramming e.g. MS-DOS.
o Single-Process systems supervise the loading and running of one program at a time, and
the input and output of data to and from peripheral devices.
Multi-User Multi-access Operating Systems
A multi-user multi-access operating system is defined as one that allows two or more users
to communicate with the computer at any one time, with each user interacting with the
computer via a terminal.
On a network, several users can be using the same computer or even the same program on
that computer (Mainframe or minicomputers), through time-sharing. Multi-access systems
use multiprogramming and often employ virtual memory.
Multiprocessing Operating Systems
If a computer has multiple CPUs, it can do multiprocessing. In such cases
two programs may be processed at the same instant. Rather than a single
CPU giving out time slices to various programs, the different CPUs can work
simultaneously while sharing some or all the same memory.
Batch Operating Systems
Batch Operating Systems handle a batch of input (jobs) which is collected over time. Jobs are
entered into a queue and then run in sequence, under the control of the operating system.
There is no provision for interaction with the user once the input has been submitted and
processing begins. Batch processing does not occur until a job (program + data) is fully input.
A job may wait in a batch queue for minutes or hours depending on the workload. The time
which elapses between job submission and the return of results is known as turnaround time.
Multi-user and Batch Operating Systems
Some operating systems provide for both multi-users and batch processing. In such systems
batch processing jobs are run at times of low interactive demand, e.g. during the night when
few users are active on the system.
Real-time Operating Systems
Real-time systems are characterised by speed of response. The system can respond very
quickly to a change of circumstance and to initiate feedback. In these systems, the data input
to the computer must be processed immediately. Reliability is very important in such
systems, and hardware is often duplicated to facilitate recovery from hardware malfunction
(i.e. fault-tolerant systems). Any real-time system must be able to respond to events
happening at unpredictable times and which may happen in parallel.
Network Operating Systems
A network operating system is required when several computers are connected in a network.
In addition to its other functions, the OS is responsible for protecting the data and programs
stored on the network and for providing users with access to software stored on the network.
