What are the different types of operating system?

Operating System are classified into the following types depending on their capability of processing:

Single User and Single Task OS: It is used on a standalone single computer for performing a single task. Operating systems for Personal Computers (PC) are single-user OS. Single user OS are simple operating system designed to manage one task at a time. MS-DOS is an example of single user OS.

Multiuser OS is used in mini computers or mainframes that allow same data and applications to be accessed by multiple users at the same time. The users can also communicate with each other. Linux and UNIX are examples of multiuser OS.

Multiprocessing OS have two or more processors for a single running process. Processing takes place in parallel and is also called parallel processing. Each processor works on different parts of the same task, or, on two or more different tasks. Since execution takes place in parallel, they are used for high speed execution, and to increase the power of computer. Linux, UNIX and Windows 7 are examples of multiprocessing OS.

Time sharing Operating System: It allows execution of more than one tasks or processes concurrently. For this, the processor time is divided amongst different tasks. This division of time is also called time sharing. The processor switches rapidly between various processes. After the stipulated time is over, the CPU shifts to next task in waiting, So this type of operating system employs round robin scheduling technique. The system switches rapidly from one user to another but still each user feels that it is getting a dedicated CPU time. Virtual Memory techniques are used in this type of operating system. For example, the user can listen to music on the computer while writing an article using a word processing software. The user can switch between the applications and also transfer data between them. Time sharing operating system can be both single user and multiuser. Windows 95 and all later versions of Windows are examples of multitasking OS.

Real Time Operating System: It is a multitasking operating system designed for real time applications like robotics. In this type of operating system, the tasks have to be done within a fixed deadline. System performance is good if task is finished within this deadline. If it is not done, the situation is called Deadline Overrun. Lesser the deadline over run, better is the system efficiency. Hence Real Time operating systems depend not only on the logical result of the computation but also on the time in which the results are produced.

Distributed Operating System: On a network data is stored and processed on multiple locations. The Distributed Operating System is used on networks as it allows shared data/files to be accessed from any machine on the network in a transparent manner. We can insert and remove the data and can even access all the input and output devices. The users feel as if all data is available on their workstation itself.

Interactive Operating System: This is the operating system that provides a Graphic User Interface (GUI) through which the user can easily navigate and interact. The computer responds almost immediately after an instruction has been entered, and the user can enter new instructions after seeing the results of the previous instructions.