Definition

The Operating system is an example of system software. The operating system controls the
system’s hardware and that interacts with the user and application software. In short, the
operating system is the computer’s master control program. The operating system provides with
the tools (commands) that enable you to interact with the PC. When you issue a command, the
Operating system translates it into code that the machine can use. The OS ensure that the results
of your actions are displayed on screen, printed and so on. OS starts up the computer and controls
its operations. Without OS the computer cannot function properly. It boots the computer and
launches programs at the user’s direction. Most a GUI to interact with the user via windows,
menus, icons, buttons etc.
Examples of OS are: Windows, Windows/NT, OS/2 and Mac OS.

Objectives of operating system

1.Convenience:
The reason for an operation system to exist is to make computers more convenient to use. An
OS aims to wrap the underneath hardware resources and provides services to end users in a
systematic way.

2. Efficiency: 
An OS allows the computer system resources to be used in an efficient manner. The OS may
schedule different processes to run at different moments and exchange the instructions and data
of programs between external storage devices, like hard disks, and main memory.

3. Ability to evolve: 
An OS should be constructed in such a way as to permit the effective development, testing,
and introduction of new system functions without interfering with service.

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TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
Within the broad family of operating systems, there are generally four types, categorized
based on the types of computers they control and the sort of applications they support. The
categories are:

1. Real-time operating system (RTOS):

Real-time operating systems are used to control machinery, scientific instruments and
industrial systems. An RTOS typically has very little user-interface capability, and no end-user
utilities, since the system will be a "sealed box" when delivered for use. A very important part of
an RTOS is managing the resources of the computer so that a particular operation executes in
precisely the same amount of time, every time it occurs. In a complex machine, having a part
move more quickly just because system resources are available may be just as catastrophic as
having it not move at all because the system is busy.

2. Single-user, single task:

As the name implies, this operating system is designed to manage the computer so that one
user can effectively do one thing at a time. The Palm OS for Palm handheld computers is a good
example of a modern single-user, single-task operating system.

3. Single-user, multi-tasking:
This is the type of operating system most people use on their desktop and laptop computers
today. Microsoft's Windows and Apple's Mac OS platforms are both examples of operating
systems that will let a single user have several programs in operation at the same time. For
example, it's entirely possible for a Windows user to be writing a note in a word processor while
downloading a file from the Internet while printing the text of an e-mail message.

4.Multi-user: 
A multi-user operating system allows many different users to take advantage of the
computer's resources simultaneously. The operating system must make sure that the requirements
of the various users are balanced, and that each of the programs they are using has sufficient and
separate resources so that a problem with one user doesn't affect the entire community of users.
UNIX, VMS and mainframe operating systems, such as MVS, are examples of multi-user
operating systems.
Basic Functions of the Operating system:
The key five basic functions of any operating system are as following

1.Interface between the user and the hardware:

An OS provides an interface between user and machine. This interface can be a graphical user
interface (GUI) in which users click onscreen elements to interact with the OS or a command-line
interface (CLI) in which users type commands at the command-line interface (CLI) to tell the OS
to do things.

2.

Figure 1: GUI (Mac OSX) vs. CLI (DOS)

Coordinate hardware components:

An OS enables coordination of hardware components. Each hardware device speaks a different
language, but the operating system can talk to them through the specific translational softwares
called device drivers. Every hardware component has different drivers for Operating systems.
These drivers make the communication successful between the other softwares and the hardware.

Figure 2: Device Drivers in between OS and Hardware devices

3. Provide environment for software to function: 
An OS provides an environment for software applications to function. An application
software is a specific software which is used to perform specific task. In GUI operating systems
such as Windows and mac OS, applications run within a consistent, graphical desktop
environment.

4.Provide structure for data management:

An OS displays structure/directories for data management. We can view file and folder
listings and manipulate on those files and folders like (move, copy, rename, delete, and many
others).

5.Monitor system health and functionality:

OS monitors the health of our system’s hardware, giving us an idea of how well (or not) it’s
performing. We can see how busy our CPU is, or how quickly our hard drives retrieve data, or
how much data our network card is sending etc. and it also monitors system activity for malware.

Figure 3: Performance Monitor in windows

Examples of Operating System:
1.DOS:
Disk Operating System - one of the first operating systems for the personal computer. When
you turned the computer on all you saw was the command prompt which looked like c:\ >. You
had to type all commands at the command prompt which might look like c:\>wp\wp.exe. This is
called a command-line interface. It was not very "user friendly".

2.Windows:
The Windows operating system, a product of Microsoft, is a GUI (graphical user interface)
operating system. This type of "user friendly" operating system is said to have WIMP features:

 Windows
 Icons
 Menus
 Pointing device (mouse)
3.Mac OS: 
Macintosh, a product of Apple, has its own operating system with a GUI and WIMP features.

4.Unix - Linux (the PC version of Unix):

Unix and Linux were originally created with a command-line interface, but recently have
added GUI enhancements.

5.Apple iOS:
Apple's iOS is one of the most popular smartphone operating systems, second only to
Android. It runs on Apple hardware, including iPhones, iPad tablets and iPod Touch media
players. Signature features of iOS include the App Store where users buy apps and download
free software, an emphasis on security including strong encryption to limit what unauthorized
users can extract from the phone, and a simple, streamlined interface with minimal hardware
buttons.
6.Google's Android OS:
Android is the most popular operating system in the world judging by the number of devices
installed. Largely developed by Google, it's chiefly used on smartphones and tablets. Unlike iOS,
it can be used on devices made by a variety of different manufacturers, and those makers can
tweak parts of its interface to suit their own needs. Android, like iOS, comes with an application
and media store called the Play Store built by Google. Some phone manufacturers and other
organizations also offer their own stores to install software and media.