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ICSE Class 8 Computer Studies Question 6 of 6

Operating System and Graphical User Interface - Role and Functions — Question 6

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Question 6

Write short notes on the following:

i. Multi-user operating system

Answer

Multi-user operating system allows more than one user to use the same computer at the same time or at different times. Some Operating Systems, which fall in this category are: Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Linux, Unix. Windows 2000 was the first version of Windows, which allowed creation of several user accounts on a single machine.

ii. Multi-threading operating system

These operating systems allow different parts of a software program to run simultaneously. The feature of multi-threading can delay the execution response of certain processes. For example, if a Game server is hosted on LAN, then all players connecting to that server will utilise different parts of the same game at the same time. All resources will be utilised from the server machine, which can be a performance degrading factor. The common examples of such operating systems are: Windows NT/2000, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Unix, Linux, etc.

iii. Real time operating system

RTOS (Real time operating system) is designed to handle real life scenarios and problems. Such operating systems have the capability to prioritise the processes, minimise execution time, and work independently with no interdependencies. Real time operating system is used when the time span required to react to an input is rigid and time bound. Even a microsecond of delay will cause the system to fail. Examples are: Air traffic control, Robots, Weapon systems, and Industrial control systems.
There are two types of Real Time Operating Systems:

  1. Hard Real-time systems — These systems guarantee that critical tasks are completed in time.
  2. Soft Real-time systems — These systems are less restrictive. Examples are: Undersea exploration, Planetary rovers, and Virtual reality.

iv. Distributed operating system

Distributed operating system runs on a set of computers that are located in different geographical areas, interconnected by a network. It controls these interconnected systems and makes them appear as a single computer. It allows all the linked machines to access data and software, and the process takes over the common network from different computers, irrespective of their location on the globe.