What Is An Operating System(OS)?

These days, almost everyone uses some sort of electronic device, whether it’s a phone, laptop, tablet and or desktop.

All of these devices have one thing in common; that is they use an Operating System (OS) to enable their functionality. Do not take it for granted that everyone understands how an operating system(OS) is structured and works.

When you start your computer, you think you have control, the mouse and keyboard will move and work as you wish them to. However, when you switch on, a lot of things are happening inside it and the Operating System (OS) is managing all those things.

An Operating System is abbreviated as OS. It controls the operation(s) of a computer. It is a mediator between the existing hardware, software and the user. On your computer, you are more likely to use the Windows OS whilst on your smartphone, you are more likely to use Android OS or Apple iPhone Operating System(iOS).

An Operating System is the most important program that is first loaded on a computer when you first switch on the system. The communication between a user and a system takes place with the help of an operating system(OS). It translates the instructions given by the user in a high-level language to machine language, which a computer can understand. It acts as an intermediary between a user and computer hardware and provides an environment required to execute different programs efficiently.

The Relationship between OS, a User, Hardware and Application.

Brief History of Operating Systems

• The first computer, Z1, was made between 1936–1938. This computer ran without an operating system.
• Twenty years later, the first-ever operating system was made in 1956.
• In the 1960s, Bell Labs started working on building UNIX, the first multi-tasking operating system.
• In 1977 the apple series came into existence. Apple Dos 3.3 was the first disk operating system.
• In 1981, Microsoft built the first operating system called DOS by purchasing 86 — DOS software from a Seattle company.
• The most famous Microsoft windows came into existence in 1985 when MS-DOS was paired with GUI, a graphics environment.

What does an Operating System do?

A computer is divided into three levels:

1. At the bottom, you have the hardware of your PC i.e. the motherboard, hard disk and processor.
2. Then there is the Operating System(OS).
3. In the OS, you install software or Apps to be able to work and the PC as well.

The Operating System(OS) is the mediator between the hardware and software:

The OS responds in the background to the installed hardware through drivers and passes on its signals to the installed software.

Example:

If you surf the Internet, the OS in the background controls the data exchange of your network card (WLAN module).

If you listen to music, the OS controls the data between the sound card and the speakers.

Another Example:

A computer WITHOUT an operating system(OS);
If you assemble a new PC that has no operating system. What can you do with it? Absolutely nothing! A computer is useless without an operating system. Without an OS, you can not use any software either.

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer’s memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer’s language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.

In any computer or mobile device, the operating system can be termed as the back bone when it comes to software. This is because it has to be there before other programs can be run. Like the name suggests, an operating system can be simply defined as the system that helps devices to operate effectively in a computer or mobile phone.

In the early days of computing, the term “operating system” was primarily used to mean a computers operating system. However, with advancement of mobile phone technology, smart devices have come up with the capability to handle almost as much as computers can handle. These mobile devices also have their own operating systems.

The main reason for having an operating system in place is to manage the device’s hardware and software resources. In addition to this, the operating system provides the necessary common services for installed programs to run. It works as an intermediary between the hardware and any programs that are being run on the mobile device or computer.

Some of the things that operating systems help accomplish include managing inputs from users, sending outputs to the output devices, management of storage spaces and control of peripheral devices. To better understand operating systems, look at the use of computer resources as a busy intersection. Things can get very messy if the intersection does not have traffic lights. Just like it is with the lights, an OS helps ensure that different users and programs access the available computing resources in an efficient manner.

Without an operating system, every program will need means in which to handle all computer components and hardware. This means that it will need a method to accept user inputs using keyboards and mice, to print documents, to read and write on storage devices, to keep track of time, to send output to the screen and even to communicate across a network. This would cause every single program to be very extensive and heavy.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

Since the very first operating system was made, operating systems have kept evolving with time to accommodate more and more sophisticated tasks.

Here are some of the most common types of operating systems in use today:

Batch Operating System

In this operating system, the user will prepare the job and hand it to a computer operator in form of a device like a punch card. The computer operator would then group the jobs according to their computing requirements and execute them in batches to ensure a faster processing speed. It’s best suited for programs that require long computation times and no user involvement such as statistical analysis of large chunks of data.

Some of the problems associated with these operating systems include the lack of interaction between the user and the computing job, the difficulty of prioritising tasks based on their urgency, high turnaround times and the high CPU idle time caused by the low speed of the mechanical input and output devices.

Multi-programming Operating System

Like the name suggests, a multi-programming operating system is an operating system that is capable of running multiple programs at the same time. The main aim in multi-programming operating systems is to improve resource utilisation and system throughput. This is achieved by organising the computing jobs in a manner that ensures that the CPU always has a job to execute at any one time.

These operating systems are sometimes referred to as multi-tasking operating systems because they allow two or more processes to run simultaneously. This means that data from two or more processes can be held in the primary memory at a given time.

Time Sharing Operating System

This is a unique type of multi-programming operating system. Like the typical multi-programming operating system, it allows multiple tasks to run concurrently. However, this is unique in that it has been designed to accommodate multiple users. This means that multiple users can use the same computer resources. The best part about this operating system is that these users will not need to queue to access these resources.

Each of these users gets the impression that she is using her own computer despite the fact that it is just one computer that is being shared among a number of users. This is thanks to frequent switching of jobs by the CPU which ensures fast response times.

This operating system ensures that CPU idle time is kept at a minimum while at the same time avoiding duplication of software. However, data communication can be a problem when multiple users are accessing or updating the same programs and data. As a result, reliability can be a problem.

Distributed Operating Systems

The distinguishing feature of distributed operating systems is the fact that they have multiple central processors. These processors are used to serve a number of users running a number of real-time applications. In other words, these operating systems pull together groups of distinct computers and make them function as one single computer.

These operating systems came into use when computer networks were developed to allow standalone computers to communicate with each other. This enabled resource sharing and dramatically increased data exchange between sites. Distributed operating systems also ensure that there is a lighter load on the host machine even when performing heavy computation.

Network Operating System

Like the name suggests, this operating system runs on a server and it allows computers on a network to access the computing resources. The management of the users, data, applications and security is done on the server.

This operating system allows file and printer sharing between computers in a network. This operating system provides more security and stability of the system. However, the costs associated with buying and running a server can tend to be quite high for small businesses.

Real-Time Operating Systems

In these operating systems, it is vital that inputs are received and processed in an extremely short period of time. As a result, the operating system has to guarantee that the events will be processed in a given time. Some of these systems might allow multi-tasking, but with special algorithms for scheduling to ensure that switching of tasks takes place according to their priorities so that the deadlines are met for every task.

Examples of uses for real-time operating systems include air traffic control systems, medical imaging systems, weapon control systems, industrial control systems and scientific experiments.

There are two types of real-time operating systems. The first one is referred to as hard real-time operating systems and this type will guarantee that the critical operations will be completed in a given time. The other type is known as soft real-time operating system and it gives priority to a given task without the guarantee that it will be completed in a fixed amount of time. However, the critical task will be completed before any other task.

The Top five Operating Systems

There are many operating systems in use today. Different tech giants have made operating systems for their customers and each of them comes with its own fair share of benefits and disadvantages when put into different uses.

As a result, some of them are more popular than others. Five of the most popular computer and smartphone operating systems.

1. Computer Operating Systems

Each computer operating system has its own loyal fan base that would swear that no other operating system is good enough. However, the following five were rated consistently high when it comes to market share in computers.

Windows

A good percentage of computer users have interacted with the Windows operating system at some point. Windows operating systems are built by Microsoft.

The popularity of Windows operating systems can be partly attributed to the success of the Microsoft Office Suite that currently has over 1.2 billion active users. It is available in 140 countries and in 107 languages.

Windows devices offer the widest compatibility with hardware and software and they range from cheap entry level devices costing a few hundred dollars to expensive high performance gaming machines.

These operating systems are not without downsides. Windows computers have not been built with the attention to detail you would find in a Mac. An example of this is seen in the build quality of the hardware such as the trackpads and the screen, which is superior in Macs.

Another downside is in the large number of malware. Thanks to their popularity, Windows computers are a favourite for crooks hence most malware is written for the platform. This means that you are more vulnerable to malware when using a Windows computer when compared to other operating systems.

Mac OS

This operating system was developed by Apple Inc. for Apple computers. It comes preinstalled on all Macintosh computers. Mac OS was the original operating system for Macs that was replaced by the current Mac OS X. Mac OS had been Apple’s primary OS from 1984 all the way to 1999 when Apple released Mac OS X Server 1.0 that was designed for server use.

Not long after that, Apple released a desktop version of OS X that shipped with Macs from 2001. Until the release of OS X 10.7 also known as “Lion”, Apple had been producing distinct server and client editions of OS X. These two editions were merged in OS X 10.7 and all later editions.

One unique feature about Mac OS and OS X is that it is clear and very specific. It has been built as a desktop operating system and it does just that. With that in mind, none of the problems that were caused by Windows 8’s “Metro” interface are bound to happen.

The interface has been well designed and as a result, it’s hard not to like this OS. A lot of thought went into the design of the computers hence it’s hard not to enjoy using them. They come with excellent battery life, an easy to use touchpad and generally above average hardware capabilities. Modern MacBooks will easily outshine even the high-end ultra books for average users.

However, this OS also has its downsides. The first one is the most obvious one; the cost. Since the OS only runs on Apple computers, you will have to purchase one to use the OS. Unfortunately, these computers are not available in the low or mid-range budget. If your budget is below $500, then forget about owning a Mac unless you are open to owning a pre-owned refurbished one that may or may not work as expected.

Another downside is in the software. Although a majority of the necessary office and professional creative applications like the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite are available on this platform, it is still incomparable to the millions of software available for Windows users. Luckily, with the increasing popularity of web-based software, this OS is getting more and more functional when compared with older versions. You will however have to compromise when it comes to games because this platform is still very far behind.

Linux

Linux is an operating system designed for the tech savvy users who know their way around computer software and hardware. Linux laptops are available from a number of vendors, but if you like you can download a free copy of the OS and install it in another computer. However, if you choose to do the installation yourself, there is no guarantee that all your hardware will work as expected.

Linus operating systems are popular among developers and Geeks who prefer a UNIX based operating system. Like in Macs, the adoption of web-based software has really helped make Linux more usable and functional to the average users, it’s still very hard to recommend a computer running on this platform to someone who isn’t particularly looking for the Linux platform.

Chrome OS

This operating system relies heavily on Google’s Chrome web browser. It is the operating system that comes in all Chromebooks and although it has a number of desktop applications, a big chunk of the work happens in the Chrome browser.

This means that if you want to extend functionality, you will have to find a Chrome app for whatever it is that you want to do. You will not be able to run Windows or Mac desktop software on this platform, but that should not be a problem because there are thousands of Chrome apps that should enable you to do almost anything that you would like to do. If you would like to run Linux desktop software, you will have to switch your Chrome book to developer mode first.

Despite these challenges, there are benefits. One of them is the fact that Chromebooks are very cheap. You can get a good one between £350 and £570 and they are very easy to use. You will also get the benefit of not having to worry about malware like in the case of Windows computers.

This OS is the ideal choice if all your work can be done on the Chrome browser. You will get a simple interface without having to break the bank.

Android

Although Android is more popularly known as a smartphone operating system, it ought to be mentioned here because of the many convertible tablets. A good example is the Asus Transformer devices that function as tablets, but once you add the keyboard, they can be classified as complete Android computers.

Despite the fact that Android is a very powerful smartphone operating system, most people would not like using it for computing. The user experience as a laptop is not exactly what most people are looking for in a computer. For starters, you will be limited to using mobile apps which means that you will not get windowed desktop apps. The browser is also a mobile app which is not as easy to use as a desktop browser.

Nonetheless, if you are looking for flexibility and mobility, then this will work for you. The keyboard will make typing easier and faster as compared to typing on your tablet screen.

2. Smartphone Operating Systems

Like in computers, smartphone operating systems also have their own loyal fans who would give you dozens of reasons why their OS is the best.

A look at five of the most popular operating systems in the smartphone world today.

(i)Google Android

The Android smartphone operating system is made by Google and is based on the Linux kernel. With a market share of more than 80% globally, Android is easily the most popular mobile operating system in the world. Despite its lack of popularity in the computing world, it is a favourite for many in the smartphone market. It is easy to use and gives users limitless possibilities when it comes to customisation.

Another reason behind the popularity of the Android operating system is the large number of app developers. This ensures that users always have a solution for whatever problem they have in form of an app. The platform has minimum restrictions, hence developers can achieve much more with applications. This explains the millions of apps on the Android Play Store available to users.

The fact that this operating system is available to numerous smartphone manufacturers has further increased its popularity globally. This also makes it available to more people, because even those with lower budgets will be able to find Android devices to buy.

(ii)Apple iOS

This operating system comes preloaded on all iPhones made by Apple Inc. Just like it is with Mac OS, the operating system is not available on devices from other manufacturers. What this means is that the company is able to keep track of the quality of the devices that are released to the market, which means that quality is significantly higher.

This operating system is a multi-tasking operating system that runs on the iPad, iPhone, Apple TV and the iPod. It has the second largest user base worldwide on smartphones. When it comes to applications, users of the iOS have access to millions of applications from the Apple App Store. This community also has a good number of developers who are constantly adding apps to the ones already on the store.

The main challenge facing this operating system is the same challenge facing the Mac OS. Since the OS is available only on Apple devices, you will have to own one to user it. Unfortunately, the company seems to only target the high-end market, which means that users with a low budget will not be able to afford these devices.

(iii)Windows Mobile

Previously referred to as Windows Phone, Windows Mobile is the third operating system on the list of most popular mobile operating systems. It is made by Microsoft and so far it has had six versions released. Since it was released in February 2010, this operating system has used an interface similar to the Windows 8 Metro.

Despite the popularity of the Windows OS in computers, Microsoft has not seen as much success in the smartphone world. A big chunk of users (even those using Windows computers) still prefer to use Android or iOS.

Some of the main advantages of this operating system include ease of operation and a visually appealing animated interface. It also doesn’t take up a lot of RAM which means that heavy applications can run smoothly on this operating system.

One big downside to this OS is the relatively low number of applications on the Windows Store when compared to the Android Play Store and the Apple App Store. Developers have not warmed up to this platform as much as they have on the other two app stores. However, this number is growing steadily and users still have access to a reasonable number of applications.

(iv)Blackberry OS

This OS is owned by RIM (Research In Motion), the makers of Blackberry smartphones. This was one of the earliest smartphone operating systems, but it was quickly overtaken by Windows Mobile, Android and iOS. Despite this, it is still very dominant in the global market with a few of the early adopters still choosing to stick with it.

This operating system has seen its fair share of challenges in the past two decades. It was a favourite for business applications.

Many current users of this operating system are the loyal fans from the time when it was one of the most dominant smartphone platforms in the world.

(V) Firefox OS

Firefox OS is an open source operating system from Mozilla, the name behind the popular Firefox browser. The main motivation behind the development of this operating system is a desire by the company to make the open web more competitive and give the single vendors a run for their money.

Components of an operating system

The different components of an operating system enable it to perform its duty of enabling the different parts of a computer to work together.

What do each of these components do?

1. Kernel. The kernel forms part of the building blocks to the work of an operating system. It helps in managing the hardware devices in the computer by determining the hardware resources that will get access to different programs. By doing this, it ensures that the CPU is operating optimally at all times.
2. Process Management. There are very many programs running on a computer at any one time. From background applications to the programs that users are actively interacting with, there are hundreds of processes taking place in a computer during normal use. Since all modern operating systems allow multi-tasking, it is the operating system’s duty to distribute the available resources among all the active processes.
3. Memory Management. There are several types on memory on a modern computer. They include CPU cache, RAM and disk storage. The operating system has a memory manager that tracks the amount of each memory that’s available and manages the movement of data between them. This ensures that the highest amount of available memory for each process so as to increase speed of execution. The operating system also ensures that whenever two or more processes are in memory at the same time, virtual memory addresses are allocated to each process to ensure that no process interferes with another’s memory.
4. Security. Since the operating system is in charge of directly or indirectly controlling computing resources, it should be able to distinguish between the requests that should be allowed and those that shouldn’t. This includes internal requests from within the computer as well as external requests from other computers within the network. They also offer auditing options to tell the users that have accessed different files and any changes that may have been made.
5. Networking. Networking basically enables operating systems to share resources using different types of connections. The most common networking protocol is the TCP/IP protocol.
6. File Systems and Disk Access. Controlling access to data stored on the different disks in computers is a primary feature of operating systems. The operating system ensures that files are stored in a manner that allows quick access and the highest possible reliability. In addition, they also help make good use of the available space on the disk. The file system is the manner in which files are stored on a disk. It gives names and attributes to files and also ensures that the files are arranged neatly in directories.

Functions of an Operating System

• Processor Management: An operating system manages the processor’s working by allocating various jobs to it and ensuring that each process receives enough time from the processor to function properly.
• Memory Management: An operating system manages the allocation and deallocation of the memory to various processes and ensures that the other process does not consume the memory allocated to one process.
• Device Management: There are various input and output devices. An operating system controls the working of these input-output devices. It receives the requests from these devices, performs a specific task, and communicates back to the requesting process.
• File Management: An operating system keeps track of information regarding the creation, deletion, transfer, copy, and storage of files in an organised way. It also maintains the integrity of the data stored in these files, including the file directory structure, by protecting against unauthorised access.
• Security: The operating system provides various techniques which assure the integrity and confidentiality of user data. Following security measures are used to protect user data:
• Protection against unauthorised access through login.
• Protection against intrusion by keeping Firefall active.
• Protecting the system memory against malicious access.
• Displaying messages related to system vulnerabilities.
• Error Detection: From time to time, the operating system checks the system for any external threat or malicious software activity. It also checks the hardware for any type of damage. This process displays several alerts to the user so that the appropriate action can be taken against any damage caused to the system.
• Job Scheduling: In a multi-tasking operating system where multiple programs run simultaneously, the operating system determines which applications should run in which order and how time should be allocated to each application.

Choosing An Operating System For Your Business

We have established that each operating system has its own strengths and weaknesses.

So how do you choose what is best for you?

How to choose the best operating system for your business:

• Ease of use. Think about the user interface offered by the different operating systems. Every one of them will have a learning curve, but this learning curve will not be the same for all users. Think about your staff’s background. Which operating system are a majority of them familiar with? Pick the one that will be the easiest for your staff to work with. This will ensure a smooth experience for your customers.
• Availability of software and applications. Next, you need to be sure that you will have access to the software that you use in service delivery. Windows will generally have the widest range of options when it comes to software, but that’s not the point of choosing an operating system. You don’t need the millions of programs that are available. You just need those that help you in delivering your services. Pick the operating system that has everything that you need with full support and updates.
• Note what your customers use. To avoid compatibility problems when you have to send or receive files to and from your customers, it’s important to think about the operating system that is most popular among your customers. This will ensure that you have no problems connecting with them as you give your services.
• Security. While considering security, you will have to think of how tech savvy your staff is. If a majority of them are new computer users, then you will need to invest in a very secure operating system. Windows is by far the most vulnerable. However, if you train your personnel in safe browsing habits, you might be able to avoid most of these attacks.
• Cost. Finally, you will need to ensure that the computers are within your budget. If you are stocking computers for the entire company, ensure that you can afford them. Macs generally cost more than most of the others and with Windows you will have a wider range to pick from. However, Windows is less secure than Mac.

In Conclusion

An Operating System(OS) works as an intermediary between the user and computer. It helps the user to communicate with the computer without knowing how.

Without an Operating System the computers cannot run the application and we cannot do any work with the computer. As OS controls and coordinates the use of the hardware among the various applications programs for various uses, we can say that it plays a very important role in a computer system. Therefore OS is very important in a computer.