Types of operating systems describe in detail in this post. Various operating systems have evolved depending on the requirements and the cost bearing capacity of the users.

Types of Operating System

Following is the brief description of these operating systems:-

Single User Operating System
Multi-User Operating System
Single Tasking Operating System
Multi-Tasking Operating System
Multi Programming
Single Processing Operating System
Multi Programming Operating System
Single Processing Operating System
Multi-Processing Operating System
Multi-Threading Operating System
Time-Sharing Operating System
Real-Time Operating System
Online Operating System
Batch Processing Operating System

Single User Operating System

A single user operating system is a type of operating system that is developed and intended for use on a computer that will only have a single user at any given time, I.e. only one person can use the machine at a time, and the operating system is available to the single user at a time.
An example of a single-user operating system is MSDOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System ).

Multi-User Operating System

A multi-user operating system is a type of operating system that allows multiple users on different computers or terminals to access a single system with one operating system on it.
It allows two or more users to turn programs at the same time. Some operating systems permit hundreds or even thousands of concurrent users.
Such operating system is made for machines which are more commonly called sharable machines, example data from one machine can be shared by other users at other machines.
This operating system is more complex in nature, bigger in size,e and more costly as compared to a single-user operating system.
Some multi-user operating systems are Windows-2000, Windows-NT, and Windows 2003.

Single Tasking Operating System

Single-tasking operating systems are those operating systems that can process one application at one time.
The user can only work on one work on one application at one time.
Example: User can't start another application till the processing of one application has been finished by the operating system.
An example of a single-tasking operating system is MSDOS.

Multi-Tasking Operating system

A multi-tasking operating system is a type of operating system that is capable of running more than one application at a time.
For example, at some time you might be downloading something from the internet, as well as you are writing a mail to your friend and listening to music also.
Multi-user operating systems also have the property of multitasking.
It improves the overall efficiency of the computer.
Today most desktop, laptop, and notebook operating systems function with some type of multitasking operating system.
Even equipment such as automatic teller machines or ATMs still makes use of some type of multitasking system, using a series of programs to check balances and execute the requests made by users.
Some multitasking operating system is windows-XP, Windows-Vista, and Windows-NT.

Muti-Programming Operating System

Multi-programming refers to the execution of two or more different and independent programs by the same computer.
In these two or more program resides in main memory and are executed concurrently.
This is done by switching the CPU from one program to another almost instantaneously.
Since there is only one processor, there can be no true simultaneous execution of different programs.
Instead, the operating system executes part of one program, then part of another, and so on.
To the user, it appears that all programs are executing at the same time.

Single Processing Operating System

Single processing operating systems are designed to work with one processor.
Desktop computers and laptops are generally uni-processor systems.
These systems can manage the processing needs of a home or a small organization, but they are not suitable for high-level designing and complex calculations.
Examples of single processing operating systems are Windows 98, Windows -ME, etc.

Multi-Processing Operating System

A multi-processing operating system allows a program to run on more than one central processing unit at a time.
If one of the CPU breaks down, the other CPU will automatically take over its job.
This is called parallel processing.
By allowing parallel processing of segments of the program, it improves the performance of computer systems.
Some multiprocessing operating systems are Windows-2000, UNIX, and Linux.

Multi-Threading Operating System

A multi-processing operating system allows different parts of a single program to run concurrently.
These threads will be alternately active, on standby, suspended or destroyed, according to the priority accorded to them, or maybe run simultaneously.
Some multithreading operating systems are Windows-2000, Unix, and Linux.

Time-Sharing Operating System

Time-sharing is an allocation of computer resources in a time-dependent fashion to several programs simultaneously.
It helps to provide a large number of users with direct access to the main computer.
In timesharing, the CPU is divided among different users on a scheduled basis.
Therefore, each user is given a brief share of the CPU time unlike multi-programming, where the CPU is allocated to programs on a priority basis.
This very brief share of CPU time is called the time slice or time slot or quantum, which may vary from 10 milliseconds to 20 milliseconds.
Each program gets a predetermined "time slice".
At the end time slice, the current program is set aside and a new one starts. By rapidly shuffling programs, the illusion of several programs executing simultaneously is created.

Real-Time Operating System

A real-time operating system is an operating system that has been developed for real-time applications.
It responds to input instantly.
Real-time operating systems are designed to handle events as they occur.
Real-time operating systems are commonly found and used in Robotics.
General-purpose operating systems, such as DOS and UNIX, are not real-time is an example of a real-time operating system.

Online Processing Operating System

In an online processing operating system, the processing is performed under the direct control of the CPU while at the same time the user remains in communication with the computer.
Time-sharing is an example of online processing.
As there is direct contact with the CPU, so access and retrieval of records are quick to direct.
The systems which employ online processing need high capacity memory, so that user data, operating system elements, and programs can be store and accessed quickly.
Moreover, as simultaneous access is there so proper security provisions are necessary to prevent any unauthorized access.

Batch Processing Operating System

In earlier computers, the users didn't interact directly with the system, instead, a user prepared a job, which consisted of program, data, and some control information about the nature of the job and submit it to the computer operator.
The operating system of such a computer had the function to transfer the control from one job to another.

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Types of operating systems