Introduction to Operating
Systems
1
An Operating System?
What is an Operating System?
A program that acts as an interface between a
user of a computer and the computer hardware.
What is the purpose of an operating system?
To provide an environment in which a user can
execute programs.
What are the goals of an Operating System?
The primary goal of an Operating System is to
make the computer system convenient to use.
The secondary goal is to make the computer
system efficient to use.
Computer System Components
Hardware – provides basic computing resources (CPU,
memory, I/O devices).
Operating system – controls and coordinates the use of
the hardware among the various application programs for
the various users.
Applications programs – define the ways in which the
system resources are used to solve the computing
problems of the users .
Users (people, machines, other computers).
Abstract View of System Components
Function of Operating System
Operating system performs the following functions:
Booting:
It is a process of starting computer. operating system starts
the computer to work. it checks the computer and makes it
ready to work.
Memory Management:
The memory cannot be managed without operating system.
Different programs and data execute at one time. if there is
no operating system ,the programs may mix with each
other. The system will not work properly.
Function of Operating System
Loading and Execution:
A program is loaded in the memory before it can be executed.
operating system provides the facility to load programs in
memory easily and then execute it.
Data Security:
The operating system protects the data stored on the computer
from illegal use, modification or deletion.
Disk Management:
It manages the disk space . It manages the stored files and
folders in a proper way.
Function of Operating System
Process Management:
CPU can perform one task at one time. if there are many tasks
,operating system decides which task should get the CPU.
Device Controlling:
Operating system controls all devices attached to computer.
the hardware devices are controlled with the help of small
software called device driver.
Printing Controlling:
Operating system controls printing function. If a user issues
two print commands at a time , it does not mix data of these
files and print them separately.
Function of Operating System
Providing Interface:
User interface is used to interact with the computer.
Operating system provides two types of interface for the user:
1. Graphical User Interface
2. Command Line Interface
April 9, 2025 8
Types of Operating System
1. Stand-Alone Operating Systems
2. Network Operating System
3. Embedded Operating Systems
Stand-Alone Operating System
An operating system that works on a desktop or notebook
operating system is called stand-alone operating system.
Examples:
1. DOS
2. Mac OS
3. Windows
DOS
Stands for Disk Operating System
It was developed by Microsoft in early 1980s for personal
computers
It is single user operating system
Mac OS
It is product of Apple
It was one of the first successful GUI.
It was released with Macintosh computers in 1984
The latest version of this operating system is called Mac
OS X
April 9, 2025 12
Windows
Microsoft Windows is the most widely used operating system
It uses Graphical User Interface
The most commonly used versions of Windows are as follows:
1. Windows XP
It is product of Microsoft corporation
It was released in 2001
XP stands for Experience
It provides quicker startup, better performance and new look
Windows
2. Windows Vista
It was released in 2007
It provides new interface and enhanced features.
It has an attractive design, easy to use search
It is available in several editions of Home and Business
categories.
Network Operating System
An operating system that supports network is called
network operating system
It normally works on a server
Examples
1. Windows NT Server
2. Windows 2000 Server
3. NetWare
4. UNIX
5. LINUX
6. Solaris
Windows NT Server
It is product of Microsoft
It is designed for client/server network
The server in the network uses Windows NT Server
The client computers use Windows NT-workstation and
stand-alone versions of Windows
April 9, 2025 16
UNIX
UNIX is multitasking operating system
It was developed in early 1970s
Many versions of this operating system are available
It uses command line interface
It is mainly used in network environment
LINUX
It is free and multitasking operating system
It was developed in 1991
It is an open-source operating system . It means that its
code is available to the public
Some versions of LINUX use command-line interface and
others use GUI
Some most widely used versions of LINUX are from
RedHat and Caldera.
April 9, 2025 18
Embedded Operating System
That is used in most Handheld computers and small
devices is called embedded operating system
It resides on ROM chips
Examples:
1. Windows CE
2. Windows Mobile 2003
3. Palm OS
4. Symbian OS
5. Embedded Linux
April 9, 2025 19
