Advantages and Disadvantages of the Operating System

Operating System

In 1977 Apple Dos was launched in the market and was a grand success. It is system software that manages software resources and computer hardware and gives common service to computer programs. Some open-source software Operating Systems are FreeBSD, Ubuntu, Fedora Linux, Android, etc., and the paid is Microsoft Windows OS. Microsoft came into the picture in 1981 when it launched MS-DOS in 1981.

Working of Operating System

The computer begins to work on you turn on the power button of your PC. When the power is on, the OS is the first program that activates. It turns the computer language into a human-interpreted language. If the operating System is not installed in the operating System, it would not be easy to use a single program on the computer in the machine. One of the roles of the OS is to organize and control hardware so that the device behaves in flexible and predictable ways.

Background of Operating System (OS)

• Operating System was made in late 1950 to handle the tape storage.
• The General Motor Research Lab implemented the first OS in 1950 for their IBM 701.
• Operating Systems began to use disks in the 1950s.
• Unix OS was the first version that was developed in the late 1960s.
• Microsoft built the First Operating System in late 1960.
• Microsoft developed the first Operating System, and it was called DOS. It was developed in 1981 by acquiring the 86 -DOS company software from the Seattle company.

Market Share of Different Operating Systems

OS and Their Shares

• Android: 95%
• Windows: 34%
• IoS: 44%
• Chrome OS: 0.14%
• Mac OS: 4.34%
• Linux: 95%
• Window Phone Operating System: 06

Types of Operating Systems

Operating Systems is one such software that has been regularly updated over time. Different companies have endeavored to give the best OS product to the consumer to maintain the level of competition.

1. Multi-Programming Operating System

It is also referred to as Multi-tasking OS. It has been divided into two parts: Pre-emptive and cooperative. In pre-emptive, the OS divides the CPU time and devotes a slot to each of the assigned programs. It is very much familiar to multi-threading

Cooperative is attained by depending on each process to give time to other processes in a defined manner. It is quite familiar to block multi-threading. The simple reason for the multiprogramming system is to improve resource utilization, which is attained through organizing the computing jobs so that the CPU always has a job to execute at any time.

2. Real-time Operating System

The real purpose is to execute real-time applications. It offers maximum time for each of the critical operations it performs. As a result, it ensures that the events will be processed in a specified time. The Operating System uses a special scheduling algorithm, ensuring that it switches work according to its priorities to be completed on the deadlines.

Realtime OS Windows include Symbian, OS-9, and Windows CE. Common real-time applications include industrial control systems, control machinery, weapons control system, and air traffic control system.

3. Distributed Operating System

This OS handles a group of independent machines, enabling them to appear as a single computer. They apply powerful micro-processors that take advantage of the advancement in networking.

Distributed Operating systems also ensure a lighter load on the host machine, even when performing heavy programming. A group of computers together in cooperation form a distributed system.

Functions of the Operating System

• Communication Management: Coordination and assignment of interpreters, compilers other software resources of the several users of the computer system.
• Memory Management: This module does the task of allocation and de-allocation of memory space to programs in need of these resources
• File Management: It handles all the files related activities such as the protection of files, retrieval, naming, sharing, organization, and storage
• Device Management: It keeps track of all the devices. It also does work of allocation and de-allocation of the devices. This module is also accountable for the program known as the I/O controller.
• Networking: A distributed system is a group of processors that do not exchange share memory, hardware devices, or a clock. The process exchange information with another through the network.
• Job Accounting: Tracking time and resources used by the different jobs and users.
• I/O Management: OS also hides the peculiarities of the hardware devices from the user.
• Secondary Storage Management: the levels of storage in the System include cache storage, primary storage, and secondary storage. Instructions are stored in the primary storage or cache so that a running program can reference them.
• Command Interpretation: This module interprets commands given by the acting system resources to process those commands.
• Processor Management: It helps the Operating system OS to build and delete processes. It also offers communication and synchronization in the process.
• Security: This module protects the data and information of a computer system against the malware threat and authorized access.

Features of the Operating System

• Information and Resource Protection
• Protected and Supervisor mode
• Handling I/O operations
• Program Execution
• Memory Management Virtual Memory Multitasking
• Error Detection and Handling
• Manipulation of the file system
• Allow Disk access and file system Devices drivers Networking Security

Advantages of Operating System

1. Computing Source

OS is the point of communication or acts as an interface between the user and the computer's hardware. Effective communication of the user with the computer systems helps in improving the performance of any tasks, and it involves three stages:

• The input of Data (User puts data as input into the System).
• Processing (several actions will be initiated based on the input data).
• Output (it is the desired result that we get after data is processed).

Complex tasks can also be performed easily if the user communicates effectively with the System.

2. User-Friendly Interface

One of the advantages of the Operating System is that it has a user-friendly user interface. Before the coming of the Graphical User Interface (GUI), the Command Line Interface (CLI) was not comfortable to use. The user had to have proper information regarding the commands.

The arrival of Windows OS made the Graphical User interface more user-friendly as it contained different graphical representations, icons, symbols, and buttons. These features of the OS helped the user to know the different components of the computer. It came with an abstraction in which users were not exposed to irrelevant complex programs. It came with more user-friendly features like a drag, copy and paste. Everyone could easily understand the features.

3. Resource Sharing

The OS supports endorsed resource sharing, and data can be shared seamlessly with several devices and multiple users. The systems made sharing of data and information more flexible. It could be accessed from the remote computer system when these resources (hardware devices, information, and data) are available on the server. Resources can be transferred with the help of external devices like fax machines, modems, and printers.

Information can also be shared with several users with the help of email when the System has integrated email service, the efficiency, quality, and performance improvements.

4. No Coding Lines

As discussed earlier, the rise of GUI (graphical user interface) has eliminated the process of writing complex commands for doing small tasks.

5. Data Protection

Much data is generated and stored in the data system, which is accessible through the Operating System. Along with its data storage and smooth accessibility, it also offers strong security features to handle your data smoothly. It does not require external software to secure data; the OS uses an authentication process to recognize whether or not the user running a program is permitted to execute it. The process of user authentication can be initiated in the following ways:

• Username and Password
• Biometric Verification
• Authentication

The OTP process also adds an extra layer of security.

6. Software Update

Numerous applications and software are present, issuing regular updates to fix bugs and launching new features. In the same way, OS issues updates at regular intervals, fix bugs and introduce new features.

7. Multitasking

One of the likable features of the OS is its ability to execute multiple tasks at a time, which the user admires. Users do not have to wait for one task to finish so that they can initiate another.

Disadvantages of the Operating System

1. System Failure

OS is considered to be the heart of the computer system. Without the presence of the Operating System, computers will not operate. With the crash OS, no functions, tasks, and commands will be executed, and there are high chances of your data being completely lost. Several reasons are provided for the system failure, and they are:

• Malware and viruses corrupt the computer system
• Improper, bug-filled devices

2. Expensive

The Operating comes with a heavy price and is comparatively expensive compared with other OS like Linux. However, an open source-based OS is available, but it is user-friendly compared to Window OS.

3. Virus Threats

OS remains vulnerable to external threats as the user might unknowingly download a malicious file. The virus will harm the computer system or slow down the computer.

4. Reliability

OS is perfectly fine when it is working seamlessly, but any issues or failures in the System, the question of reliability is raised. Failure in the OS makes it incapable of performing any task, bringing the computer system to a rest position.