You can't talk about computers without the types of operating system , these operating systems manage the hardware and the software of the computer. The operating system (OS) is meant to act as an intermediary between the computer user and the computer hardware.
When a computer does not have an operating system, it will not be able to know what to do and at this point it becomes useless. In this article, i will be explaining more on the types of operating systems, including their examples.
1. The Batch Operating System
This operating system was one of the ancient types of operating systems, and it was developed in 1950. In this type of operation system, jobs were always broken down and grouped into batches and then gets executed one after the other.
Here users don't interact with the machine; instead, they hand over the jobs to the computer operator and they get placed in queue in order to process them.
Examples: IBM 1401
This type of system do lack real-time interaction, and it limit its flexibility.
2. Time-Sharing Operating System
Unlike the batch processing systems, the time sharing operating system is one of the types of operating system, it share time to allow many users on a single computer at any one time. In each task, a small quantum of CPU time is given before it moves on to another one. This approach forms the appearance that the system is personalized for each customer.
Example: UNIX is another popular example of the time-sharing operating systems, which have gained the largest popularity in universities and companies.
These systems provide user flexibility enabling control of shared resources, enhanced response rates and most importantly user interaction.
3. Distributed Operating System
A distributed operating system joins computers together, so that it seems that all the computers form a single system. In this setup, resources are assigned to the several machines, and the OS oversees the resources dispatch from different points.Example: Apache Hadoop is one of the most used distributed operating systems designed for distribution of large data sets across a large number of servers.
They enhance scalability, reliability and availability – factors which make distributed systems suitable in cloud computing and big data analysis.
4. Real Time OS (RTOS)
A real-time operating system is one of the types of operating systems which ensures that a task is done within a stipulated time. This system is use for the application that need accurate time and quick response and it is used in car, industrial machinery and some medical appliances.
Example: This RTOS is also commonly known as the VxWorks and is dominant in aerospace defense industry.
Real-time systems can be classified into two types:
Hard real-time systems: Where the response time cannot afford to be anything other than efficient, or the system stops working.
Soft real-time systems: Where any failure to meet the stipulated time may affect the quality of work delivered, but does not cause the system to break down completely.
5. Network Operating System (NOS)
Because each network node is a computer, it is also referred to as Network Operating System (NOS). A network operating system means offering a service to a computer that is linked to another or several other computers in a network.It controls the available network resources including the printers, files and document sharing and the internet. While in a distributed systems the emphasis is placed on sharing application and computation, a NOS is mainly about coordinating the interactions of the bus participants.
Example: Network operating systems such as Novell NetWare and Microsoft Windows Server are common in organizations to facilitate control of Local Area Networks (LAN) and or Wide Area Networks (WAN).
A NOS safeguards, stores files and manages network well, making it an important tool for enterprises’ environments.
6. Mobile Operating System
A mobile operating system is a form of operating system that has been developed primarily for use on mobile devices like smart phones, tablets, and wearable technology devices. These systems are designed for touch screen interface which works well with mobile hardware and provides features required for portability.
Example: Android and iOS are two most popular mobile operating systems.
Mobile operating systems also support things like camera, touch, and communication and embody important facets like power and touch interaction.
7. Embedded Operating System
An embedded operating system is one of the types of operating system, on the other hand is meant for hardware which is built for specific uses. These systems are generally light and embedded more in performing specialized tasks than in the manner of a normal computer.Example: FreeRTOS is one of the most frequently used embedded OS for microcontrollers and the Internet of Things technology.
Someone presumably needs computers in various devices, like washing machines, car’s multimedia systems, smart home systems, etc., where high performance and micro-amounts of used resources are not just a plus.
8. Multitasking Operating System
A multitasking operating system means several programs or tasks can run simultaneously in a computer system. This OS has optimized the usage of system resources in a way that every process gets its fair of allocations of the CPU.Example: Microsoft Windows is an operating system allows users to perform multiple tasks at the same time, for instance, surfing the Web while typing or listening to music.
Multitasking makes the system more effective as no single process will be monopolizing the system and it makes the user more effective as no program will be taking up the whole system.
9. Single-User Operating System
The system is designed for one person to use the system at one time, a single user operating system. The system can run many applications, but only that one user can interact with the machine.
Example: The single user OS - MS DOS was a classic example of a single user OS which ruled the early personal computers.
As limited as it may seem, single user systems were a major technological foundation in the earliest computing days.
10. Multi-User Operating System
A multi user operating system is one that allows multiple simultaneous users or users at different times. It makes sure users don’t disrupt each other’s work and makes sure they do not consume the CPU, memory and other resources unnecessarily.Example: Multi user system – As an example, UNIX is a multi user system and supports multiple simultaneous users.
In servers and large organisations,many people need to get on the same machine and these systems are very common.
11. A graphical user interface (GUI) operating system
Graphical user interface (GUI) operating system is similar to a GUI with icons, windows and buttons which makes the system much user friendlier and simpler for a user to use. It is the type of OS that abstracts the command line interface (CLI) so that the users can use a mouse cursor and keyboard to interact with system.
Example: macOS is a GUI(Graphical User Interface) Based operating system and uses a sleek interface where its user is very fond of design.
Personal computing means GUI systems, mainly due to the fact that they are accessible even to limited technical knowledge users.
12. The Command Line Interface (CLI) Operating System
Users need to type all kinds of commands on a command-line interface (CLI) operating system to perform tasks. At the other end of the spectrum is this OS, which is geared for more control and flexibility from advanced users who like to manage the system this way.Example: Linux is a CLI driven operating system and is designed to provide more capabilities for Developer and system administrator.
When customization, automation and control over tasks is a concern, CLI systems are prevalent.
13. Cloud-Based Operating System
Operating in the cloud, a cloud based operating system is a modern version of an operating system which can be accessed through any device connected to the internet. Users do not need to install OS on their machine; they use a virtual desktop environment.Example: The OS Google Chrome OS is highly popular in Chromebooks, which comes with an option of cloud.
Users who don’t want to be tied to specific hardware, want portability and scalability, and want collaboration features can enjoy cloud OSs.
14. Hybrid Operating System
In a hybrid O.S, features of other O.S were combined together to provide more flexibility. It is for example a hybrid OS combining real time features with multi tasking or clouding features.Example: Windows 10 is a hybrid OS – mixing traditional desktop computing with cloud services and mobile friendly functionality.
Hybrids give us a nice place in the middle of performance, flexibility and user experience, while being able to do more or less what you want in a more or less nice way.
15. It is a Virtual Machine Operating System.
It is the virtual machine operating system that lets you run as many OS environments as you want on a single machine. Virtualization is used to realize this by abstracting hardware resources and with each OS instance running as though it were on its own hardware.Example: Virtual machine environments supported with multiple operating systems running on one physical hardware includes VMware and Oracle VirtualBox.
There are plenty of applications for virtual machine OSs—using them for testing and development of software, and even for consolidating many systems onto a single physical server.
16. Desktop Operating System
It is designed for the purpose of use on desktop and laptop computers, which give rise to the term available in the introduction. It offers easy to use interface and supports a number of hardware configurations, applications and multimedia capabilities.Example: Lucky you, Windows 11 is the latest desktop OS from Microsoft, with security and productivity tools on steroids, to boot.
It is often the case that desktop OSs are still the most commonly used operating systems for personal computing.
17. Server Operating System
The server operating system is designed to be used on the server hardware, services and networking. Server systems are different from desktop OSs in that they are optimized for stable operation, resource management and large volume, high transaction processing.Example: Data centers and cloud environments often use Windows Server 2019 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux as server OSes.
Server OSs are definitely necessary for business critical apps and networking at scale.
18. Single Tasking Operating System
An operating system that is a single tasking one can only run a single task simultaneously. This may not seem a lot, but it was enough for the early computing environments where there was little else to spend.Example: An example of a single tasking OS is CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers).
Multitasking environments largely replace single tasking systems that were the basic ingredient in the making of modern OSs.
19. Parallel Operating System
Parallel processing is achieved by a parallel operating system, which manages parallel processing, that is, making different parts of a task run at the same time by using several processors. In environments for high performance computing that includes scientific simulations, complex data analysis etc. these systems are utilized.Example: The AIX is an IBM OS for multiple processors running on a single task.
Parallel systems enable the sacrifice of parallel computing power and speed in return for increased speed and power of the final application.
20. Interactive Operating System
An interactive computer system is one of the types of operating system. Here the user may interact with the computer by providing input devices like a keyboard or a mouse in real time. The systems in question are responsive and provide an immediate feedback to the user commands.Example: Windows 10 and macOS are interactive systems with Live (real time) User Interaction capabilities.
Interaction is a requirement for day-to-day personal computing, gaming and content creation, in which immediate response is as important as can be.
