Operating System Concepts - Full Detailed Notes
Introduction to Operating System (OS)
What is an Operating System?
An Operating System (OS) is a system software that manages computer hardware and software resources
and provides services for computer programs. It acts as a bridge between the user and the computer
hardware.
Basic Roles:
• Controls hardware components like CPU, memory, disk drives, printers, etc.
• Provides a user interface (Command Line or GUI).
• Manages files and folders.
• Provides security and protection.
Examples of Operating Systems:
• Windows
• Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch)
• macOS
• Android
• iOS
• Unix
Operating System Structure
1. Layered Structure:
• The OS is designed in layers, each built on top of the lower one.
• Each layer performs specific functions and hides its implementation from the higher layers.
Layers (from bottom to top): 1. Hardware 2. CPU Scheduling and Memory Management 3. I/O
Management 4. File System 5. User Interface
Advantages: - Easy to debug and update - Modularity: easier to understand and maintain
Disadvantages: - Slower execution due to overhead of layer communication
Example: - THE Operating System
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2. System Components:
1. Process Management: Handles creation, scheduling, and termination of processes.
2. Main Memory Management: Tracks memory usage, allocates/deallocates memory.
3. Secondary Storage Management: Manages disk storage.
4. File Management: Organizes, stores, retrieves, and manages data files.
5. I/O System Management: Buffers and manages I/O operations.
6. Protection and Security: Controls access to resources and defends against malicious software.
7. Networking: Manages communication between computers.
Operating System Functions
1. Process Management
2. Handles multitasking and multiprocessing
3. Context switching
4. Deadlock prevention
5. Memory Management
6. Allocation strategies (First-fit, Best-fit, etc.)
7. Virtual memory using paging/segmentation
8. Storage Management
9. File systems (FAT, NTFS, ext3, ext4)
10. Disk scheduling algorithms (FCFS, SSTF, LOOK, etc.)
11. Device Management
12. I/O scheduling
13. Device drivers
14. Security and Protection
15. Authentication and authorization
16. Encryption
17. User Interface
18. CLI (e.g., Bash Shell)
19. GUI (e.g., Windows Desktop)
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Classification of Operating Systems
1. Batch Operating System
• No interaction between user and process
• Jobs are processed in batches
• Input jobs using punch cards or other offline media
Example: IBM 1401, early mainframe computers
Advantages: - Good for large jobs
Disadvantages: - No real-time interaction - Hard to debug
2. Interactive Operating System
• Users interact directly with the system
• Quick response time
Examples: Windows, Linux, macOS
3. Time-Sharing Operating System
• Multiple users use the system simultaneously
• CPU time is divided among users (time slices)
Example: UNIX
Advantages: - Better response time - Resource sharing
Disadvantages: - Overhead of switching
4. Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)
• Responds to inputs immediately
• Used in systems with strict time constraints
Types: - Hard RTOS: Must meet deadlines (e.g., pacemaker) - Soft RTOS: Can tolerate some delay (e.g., live
streaming)
Examples: QNX, VxWorks, RTLinux
5. Multiprocessor Systems
• More than one CPU working together
• Types: Symmetric (SMP) and Asymmetric (ASMP)
Advantages: - Increased throughput - High reliability
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Examples: High-end servers, mainframes
6. Multiuser Systems
• More than one user can use the system at the same time
Examples: UNIX servers, mainframes
7. Multiprogramming Systems
• Several programs are kept in memory at the same time
• CPU switches from one to another to increase utilization
Advantages: - Efficient CPU usage - Increased throughput
8. Multithreaded Systems
• Programs are divided into multiple threads that can run concurrently
Advantages: - Faster execution - Better resource sharing
Examples: Modern web browsers, servers
Operating System Services
1. Program Execution
2. I/O Operations
3. File System Manipulation
4. Communication (Interprocess Communication)
5. Error Detection
6. Resource Allocation
7. Protection and Security
Reentrant Kernels
Definition: A reentrant kernel allows multiple processes to execute the same kernel code simultaneously.
Key Points: - No data is modified during execution - Kernel can be shared among processes safely
Benefits: - Efficient memory usage - Enables multitasking
Examples: Linux, Windows NT
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Kernel Types
1. Monolithic Kernel
• All OS services run in kernel space
Advantages: - Faster due to fewer context switches
Disadvantages: - Large and difficult to maintain - One bug can crash the whole system
Examples: Linux, UNIX
2. Microkernel
• Only essential services run in kernel mode (IPC, basic scheduling)
• Rest runs in user mode
Advantages: - More secure and stable - Easier to extend
Disadvantages: - Slightly slower due to user-kernel communication
Examples: Minix, QNX
Summary Chart
OS Type Interaction Speed Use Case Example
Batch No Slow Data processing IBM 1401
Interactive Yes Medium General use Windows
Time-Sharing Yes Fast Multi-user tasks UNIX
Real-Time Minimal Very Fast Embedded systems QNX
Multiuser Yes Medium Servers UNIX
Multiprocessor Yes Fast HPC servers Linux
Multithreaded Yes Fast Apps, browsers Windows, Chrome
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