Kristian
Operating Systems
The operating system is a core software aspect of any personal computer. Also known as the OS, the operating system
allows for interactions between a user and a computer making it useful. The OS is responsible for currently running
software, drivers, hardware, providing a user interface and providing system utilities among other tasks.
The OS is mainly made up of a user interface, kernel, device drivers and system utilities.
User Interface
The user interface is the means by which a person uses the operating system. This can vary from Graphical User
Interfaces (GUI) as found on most multitasking OS’s or a Text Based User Interface (TUI) on most command line
operating systems. Advanced multitasking user interfaces support the running of multiple programs and applications
and take the form of manipulating of a set of organised and visual graphical elements. Examples of such user interfaces
include Apple’s OSX or Microsoft Windows.
Kernel
The kernel is a fundamental part of the OS that resides in a small part of the main memory upon the starting of a
computer and is responsible for the management of the memory space, CPU access time, I/O devices and many other
founding operating system functions. The kernel is designed to be inaccessible by the user or the computer itself as to
avoid deletion or modification. This is important to maintain a stable and working operating system.
Device Drivers
Device drivers are loaded onto an operating system in response to the connection of new devices. Device drivers
typically cover hardware such as graphics display drivers or peripherals. Operating systems need to be capable of using
device drivers correctly and assigning suitable drivers for devices to function regardless of specific makes or models.
System Utilities
An operating system is typically sold with a suite of system utilities. System utilities consist of programs used for the
running and maintenance of a computer and its operating system. This can include disk defragmentation software and
security software such as anti-virus clients and firewalls.
Multi-Tasking Operating Systems
A multi-tasking operating system is made for single user use and allows for simultaneous programs to run. Multi-tasking
OS’s are typically characterised by an advanced GUI with a strong visual language and icon/image based windowed
navigation. To run this type of OS, a large amount of RAM is required to run multiple processes. This is why most
personal computers have gigabytes of RAM. Examples of Multi-tasking operating systems include Microsoft Windows,
Apple OSX and Linux. It is also notable that some latest flagship smartphones support full multitasking on the newest
versions of their operating systems.
Multi-User Operating Systems
The multi-user operating system is designed primarily for use of supercomputers or mainframes which will
be accessed from multiple points and will have to manage the distribution of resources to each user. This
OS will have to be very sophisticated to manage resources between users as well as maintaining their
security while also logging records of use and being as efficient with available computational power as
possible. Examples of these OS’s include certain versions of UNIX, Linus and IBM System Z.
Distributed Operating System
Any distributed operating system is designed to manage a group of linked computers. This can include any
group of linked servers which distribute their load or a grid computing configuration which involves many
computers being linked via the internet to each other. Being linked in this way means that resources and
load can be processed by all the computers making the task smaller per computer and allowing for much
more complicated tasks to be completed than could be possible on a single computer. The distributed
operating system manages and monitors these transfers of data to ensure that idle computers even have
their processing power used for example.
Embedded Operating System
An embedded operating system is designed for an extremely specific task on a piece of equipment or
simple computer. This OS is capable of running on very low processing power and memory thanks to it
being composed of assembly code which is close to machine code making it fast to process even on the
most basic CPU’s. Embedded Operating Systems are usually exclusively hardware optimised and are built to
allow a piece of hardware to function. Examples of these OS’s include the software used to run a
microwave, early mobile phones, non-smart televisions, printers etc.
Real Time Operating System
A real time operating system is used for applications when timing is required. This can range from car
sensors like the engine management system which is taking in multiple, varying inputs at any given time to
then send outputs to control the car or alert the driver’s attention to systems such as a traffic light which
must be timed to function correctly and produce an output signal when required. Usually these systems are
run with an electronic clock to count a frequency for a value of timing.