OPERATING SYSTEM

An operating system (OS), in its most general sense, is software that allows a
user to run other applications on a computing device. While it is possible for a
software application to interface directly with hardware, the vast majority of
applications are written for an OS, which allows them to take advantage of common
libraries and not worry about specific hardware details.

OPERATIONS OF O.S
An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user and
computer hardware. An operating system is a software which performs all the basic
tasks like file management, memory management, process management, handling
input and output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and
printers.
STRUCTURE OF O.S
Operating System Structure. An operating system is a construct that allows the
user application programs to interact with the system hardware. ... An easy way to
do this is to create the operating system in parts. Each of these parts should be well
defined with clear inputs, outputs and functions.

FEATURES OF O.S
Hardware Interdependence.
Provides User Interface.
Hardware Adaptability.
Memory Management.
Task Management.
Betworking Capability.
Logical Access Security.
File Management.

GUI
A graphical user interface (GUI) is an interface through which a user interacts
with electronic devices such as computers, hand-held devices and other appliances.
This interface uses icons, menus and other visual indicator (graphics)
representations to display information and related user controls, unlike text-based
interfaces, where data and commands are in text. GUIl representations are
manipulated by a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, or a finger on a
touch screen.The need for GUI became apparent because the first human/computer
text interface was through keyboard text creation by what is called a prompt (or
DOS prompt). Commands were typed on a keyboard at the DOS prompt to initiate
responses from a computer. The use of these commands and the need for exact
spelling created a cumbersome and inefficient interface.
 MULTI USERS
A multi-user operating system (OS) is a computer system that allows multiple
users that are on different computers to access a single system's OS resources
simultaneously, as shown in Figure 1. Users on the system are connected through a
network. The OS shares resources between users, depending on what type of
resources the users need. The OS must ensure that the system stays well-balanced
in resources to meet each user's needs and not affect other users who are
connected. Some examples of a multi-user OS are Unix, Virtual Memory System
(VMS)

MULTI-TASKING
Multitasking, in an operating system, is allowing a user to perform more than
one computer task (such as the operation of an application program) at a time.
The operating system is able to keep track of where you are in these tasks and go
from one to the other without losing information.

MULTI-PROCESSING
Multiprocessing is the use of two or more central processing units within a
single computer system. The term also refers to the ability of a system to support
more than one processor or the ability to allocate tasks between them.

MULTI -THREADING
Multithreading is the ability of an operating system process to manage its use
by more than one user at a time and to even manage multiple requests by the same
user without having to have multiple copies of the programming running in the
computer.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM

Simple Batch System
Multiprogramming Batch System
Multiprocessor System
Desktop System
Distributed Operating System
Clustered System
Realtime Operating System
Handheld System