Free Operating System Courses

Operating System is seen as an interface between the user and the computer. It is difficult for a user to communicate with the machine through machine language. Operating System becomes that interface where the user can complete their tasks with much ease. At the hardware level, these tasks are interpreted using machine language, resulting in smooth processing and completion of the tasks.

Operating System handles the execution of the processes, File Management, Resource Allocation, and many other tasks. Its main functions include Process Management and Synchronization, Handling Deadlocks, and File Management.

Operating System provides a comfortable environment for users with effective communication methods with the hardware for process completion. A computer system is incomplete without the following:

• Operating System
• Application programs
• System Programs
• Users
• Hardware

Operating System does:

• CPU Scheduling
• File Management
• Process Management
• Process Synchronization
• Memory Management
• Security

You can find many Operating Systems being used in the present use cases. Thus, there are many types of Operating Systems:

• Batch Operating System

Batch processing was prevalent in the late ’90s. The processes were executed in the Batch method, and they used only one computer as the primary system, which is used to complete most of the tasks.

Here, access is granted to every person to submit their respective tasks for execution to the primary system. These tasks are put on queue following the first-come, first-served approach, and then the execution of the tasks is done. The output is received by the respective individual when all the tasks are executed.

The main disadvantages of the Batch system are Starvation and Less Interactiveness.

• Multiprogramming Operating System

Multiprogramming is an extended version of the Batch Operating System. Here, the CPU is always kept busy, and each process requires CPU and I/O time. Multiprogramming increases the efficiency of the Operating System. While the process is waiting for I/O, the CPU can start processing the other processes.

• Multiprocessing Operating System

Multiprocessing helps in parallel computing. It increases the system’s throughput by increasing the number of processors present, which will execute more than one process at a time.

• Real-Time Operating System

For every process, there is a deadline within which the execution must be done. After the deadline, if the process gives an output, then it is entirely useless. For example, Military and Aviation applications use the Real-Time Operating System.

The CPU must execute the instructions for a program to process. A program that is being executed is called a process. A computer system is required for a process to run the program and complete the task. Processors may have one or more processes to be executed. To do it parallelly, the Operating System has to manage the resource allocation efficiently. 

The Operating System must also handle the deadlock condition that arises when one of the processes requires the resource being used by another process. Hence, the following are the activities that Operating System are responsible for under Process Management:

• Scheduling threads and processes on the CPU
• Supporting process synchronization
• Allowing process communication
• Both user and system processes can be created and removed 
• Suspending and resuming processes

The Operating System uses process attributes to build the Process Control Block (PCB), also known as the context of the process. Process attributes in PCB are:

• Process ID
• Program Counter
• Process State
• Priority
• General Purpose Registers
• List of open files
• List of open devices

Applications of an Operating System include:

• Security
• Control over system performance
• Job accounting
• Error detecting aids
• Coordination between other software and users

The Operating System is a vast topic where you can explore more exciting concepts. To understand Operating Systems better, enroll in Operating System Free Courses offered by Great Learning. You can also secure Free Operating System Certificates on successful completion of the courses.