Operating Systems

Created by

Rebecca

Cards (12)

Multi-tasking operating systems 
Operating systems that allow multiple applications to be open at the same time
Operation of multi-tasking operating systems
1. Each active program is scheduled to receive a small time slice in quick rotation
2. Gives the impression they are operating simultaneously
Even modern processors with multiple cores still need to handle many processes at the same time
Multi-user operating system 
Operating systems that allow multiple people to use a computer at the same time
Operation of multi-user operating systems 
1. The computer will manage the user's access rights when they log in
2. Server operating system software will handle the requests of several people using different computers on a network simultaneously
Distributed operating system 
Operating system that combines the processing power of multiple computers across a network for a single task
Operation of distributed operating systems 
1. The OS controls the computers, presenting them to the user as though they were a single system
2. Additional servers may automatically join the system without the user knowing as one system becomes busy
Use of distributed operating systems 
Shopping websites - the basket may be handled by one server while the querying of items is being handled by another one
Embedded operating system 
Operating systems that run on dedicated hardware in devices like washing machines, televisions and traffic lights
Embedded operating systems 
Run with maximum efficiency
Use little memory and low-powered processors
Real time operating system 
Operating systems used in safety-critical environments where processes have to be guaranteed to execute within a known time frame
Real time operating systems 
Have plenty of redundancy built in to manage sudden input increases
Processors hardly ever run at capacity