5 Types of Operating Systems to Know

The development of operating systems enabled humans to interact with computers in new ways, creating a method to translate human input into a language the device can understand.  While operating systems often come pre-installed on devices, understanding how your operating system operates (and how it compares to others) can help you troubleshoot issues and monitor the health of your computer. Many information technology (IT) professionals and companies use operating-system knowledge to support the needs of employees. If you’re interested in a career in IT, you’ll need basic knowledge of operating systems to help you maintain and troubleshoot operating systems within your organization. 

Operating systems come in various forms, some specifically for computers and others for mobile phones. They help to support functions such as memory management, data security, and device control. Discover more about what an operating system is, its function, and common operating system types used for different purposes. 

What is an operating system?

An operating system (OS) is an important collection of programs that oversees the processes executed by a computer, including all programs and applications. The operating system on your device not only manages resources (such as disk drives and printers) but also creates a user interface and manages all software applications. Operating systems allow you to interact with a computer's hardware and software, making your device easier to use.

Operating systems have two main components: the kernel and the shell. The kernel is the central component where data is processed in the hardware, and the output then travels through the software (the operating system) and reaches the shell, which is the second component. The outer layer of the operating system is the shell, which manages how you interact with the operating system and provides system commands based on your input. While your device will initially come with the latest version of its operating system, you can often improve your device’s performance by updating it to the newest version.

What is the purpose of an operating system?

The general purpose of an operating system is to make your device usable by supporting the functionality of software applications and managing your device’s hardware components. 

The operating system's first job is to make your device functional. Without an operating system, the various hardware components wouldn’t be able to work together correctly. By managing components such as the central processing unit, monitor, and memory, the operating system allows the different hardware components that make up your device to perform cohesively.

Beyond basic functionality, the operating system also allows you to interact with your computer directly. To do this, your operating system employs a graphical user interface (GUI) or, in some cases, a command line interface (CLI). The GUI is the visual component you directly interact with, including things such as menus, scrollbars, buttons, or the mouse cursor that helps provide context and information relating to how you can operate the device. Operating systems that use CLI instead utilize text-based commands to perform operations, which tend to be system administration tasks.

The operating system allows you to interact with existing applications and provides a platform for you to build new programs and expand the capabilities of existing ones. You can do this through the application programming interface (API), where developers build software programs and applications that the operating system can support. 

What are the functions of an operating system?

Operating systems perform many important functions, including:

• Memory management: The operating system optimally allocates memory throughout the device to allow it to execute different programs and processes.

• File management: The OS uses a file system to categorize information into folders or directories, which users can access for reading, writing, and deleting.

• Process management: When devices have numerous processes to perform, the operating system determines the execution order and monitors the status of each process so that each has sufficient time. 

• Booting: The operating system directs the device's start-up procedure.

• Data security: The operating system helps secure information against cyberattacks and authenticates users and controls access.

• User interface: Using GUI or CLI, operating systems enable interaction with the computer.

• Hardware and software control: The operating system is the connective tissue between a device's hardware and software components, allowing them to interact successfully with one another.

Read more: Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering: How the Jobs Differ

5 types of operating systems

While you might have heard Microsoft Windows or macOS X mentioned in conversation, you can find an extensive list of operating systems built around different priorities and professional needs. Five overarching categories of operating systems you can explore include the following. 

Batch

When executing programs, batch operating systems do so in batches. Because devices with batch operating systems submit tasks to an operator, this type of system is ideal for time-consuming tasks with large files. This type of system is widely used for payroll, data entry, and similar operations.  

While beneficial for large tasks, you might have difficulty debugging batch operating systems when errors arise, and implementing a strong batch operating system can be resource-intensive.

Time-sharing

Time-sharing operating systems switch between multiple tasks, each with a time limit. This type of system benefits users from multiple locations by enabling them to use it simultaneously and providing quick responses to user input. 

Time-sharing systems switch quickly from user to user, giving the perception that the entire system is dedicated to you when in reality, it’s supporting multiple users. While the limited idle time of the processor leads to fast task completion, system failure can cause universal failure across all tasks. Multics and Unix are two common operating systems with this style. 

Distributed

Distributed operating systems connect multiple machines together through a shared network. Each computer has its own memory and operating system but can communicate with other devices through the distributed system. This allows data sharing to happen quickly for system users, limits data processing delays, and reduces the load placed on the host machine. 

Telecommunications networks and airline reservation controls use this type of system because it allows for fast data exchange, is resilient against system failures, and can scale easily.

Network

Network operating systems connect computers and other devices through a shared network, known as a local area network (LAN) Through this network, you can to access the same documents and share files and physical devices. Network operating systems offer excellent stability and remote access, and support common file management, security, user administration, and system maintenance. 

Because of their advantages, such as remote server access, most users benefit from this type of operating system. Some of the most popular operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS X, are all network operating systems. Because devices connect to a central server, it’s easy for users to update their devices, share files, and handle security issues. However, the centralized systems can be expensive and require routine maintenance to ensure they support the devices on the network.

Real-time

Real-time operating systems perform tasks close to real-time, adhering to strict timing requirements. This type of operating system is best when precision is highly important, making it the operating system of choice for air traffic control systems, weapon control systems, robots, and medical imaging. 

To prioritize timing, less focus is put on queued tasks, and more on the current task. This lowers the ability to run tasks simultaneously and can limit the prioritization of tasks in certain cases. However, these systems are often programmed extremely carefully, making them less error-prone than some alternatives.

How to learn about operating systems

To learn about operating systems, you can start by pursuing a career in information technology because even entry-level IT positions require at least a fundamental understanding of how operating systems function. 

You can begin this career through formal education by earning a bachelor’s degree in information technology. Another option is to consider taking courses like Operating Systems Fundamentals or Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems and Security on an online learning platform.

Getting started with Coursera

Every smart device you own needs something called an operating system. By understanding the fundamental workings of operating systems, you can better understand how they govern a device’s resources, establish an interface for the user, and command applications.

On Coursera, you can find highly rated courses to help you discover more about operating systems. Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User from Google is a great course for exploring the components of operating systems and how you can manage software. Another option is Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems offered by IBM. This course can help you understand the basics of operating systems, develop troubleshooting skills, and recognize different hardware components.