Types of Operating System

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Types of Operating System

There are many types of operating systems used in many different capacities.

Distributed

A distributed operating system is one that runs across lots of individual computers, but appears to be one system to the end user.
The operating system is run across all of these systems and synchronizes what each system is doing.
The users of the system see one unified system for them to use.

Embedded

An embedded operating system is one usually found in a piece of hardware that serves a single purpose.
- For example, a household washing machine.
The OS is usually stored in ROM so it is unchangeable.
The OS accepts data from a variety of sensors to control what is happening.

Multitasking

A multitasking operating system is one that is designed to allow the user to do multiple things at the same time.
Laptops, PCs and smartphones all have multitasking operating systems where you can be listening to music whilst working on a document.
The more things you do, the more system resources are being used, so trying to do too much will slow the system down.

Multi-user

Multi-user operating systems are usually found on supercomputers.
A supercomputer is too large and powerful to only allow one person to be able to access it at a time, so they have multiple terminals.
Multiple users can login to the system via these terminals and work on the computer at the same time.
Each get a share of the computing power of the supercomputer.

Real-Time

A real-time operating system reacts to inputs in as close to real time as possible.
This is important for situations where something needs to be monitored constantly.
- For example, medical tracking systems when tracking heart rates.
The OS is usually stored in ROM so that it cannot be changed.
The OS will accept data from sensors and make adjustments or actions based on this data.

BIOS

BIOS contains the instructions used to get your computer up and running.

BIOS

BIOS contains the instructions used to get your computer up and running.
BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System.
BIOS is responsible for the initial booting up of the computer.
BIOS is usually stored in ROM.

Process

As part of the bootup, it performs a power-on self-test (POST) to ensure all of the components are working properly.
It then bootstraps the initial part of the operating system in memory to allow the computer to complete booting up.

Virtual Machines

Virtual machines allow you to model a real piece of hardware using only software without needing to have the device present.

Virtual machines

A virtual machine is a software recreation of some form of computer.
- This could be another PC operating system or a games console.

Benefits of using virtual machines

Using a virtual machine allows you to test the features and software of a piece of hardware without having the actual hardware.
This can save money and time by not needing to obtain the hardware you are emulating.

Drawbacks of virtual machines

Virtual machines require a lot of system resources to run.
Virtual machines may not run as efficiently as the actual hardware they are modelling.

1Components of a Computer

1.1Structure & Function of the Processor

1.1.1Structure of the CPU

1.1.2Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle

1.1.3Factors Affecting CPU Performance

1.1.4CPU Architecture

1.2Types of Processors

1.2.1CISC & RISC

1.2.2Multicore & Parallel Cores

1.3Input, Output & Storage

1.3.1Computer Systems

1.3.2Magnetic Storage

1.3.3Optical Storage

1.3.4Types of Optical Storage

1.3.5Types of Memory

1.3.6Flash Memory

1.3.7Virtual Memory

2Software & Software Development

3Exchanging Data

4Data Types, Data Structures & Algorithms

4.1Data Types

4.1.1Data Types

4.1.2Arrays & Strings

4.1.3Representing Numbers

4.1.4Binary Arithmetic

4.1.5Hexadecimal

4.1.6Converting Binary Numbers

4.1.7Floating Points in Binary

4.1.8Floating Point Arithmetic

4.1.9Bitwise Manipulation

4.1.10Character Sets

4.2Data Structures

4.2.1Arrays, Linked Lists & Queues

4.2.2Graphs, Hash Tables & Stacks

4.2.3Trees

4.3Boolean Algebra

4.3.1Computational Logic

4.3.2Boolean Logic

4.3.3Karnaugh Maps

4.3.4Boolean Identities

4.3.5Flip Flops & Adder Circuits

5Legal, Moral, Cultural & Ethical Issues

5.1Computing Related Legislation

5.1.1Data Protection Act (1998)

5.1.2Computer Misuse Act (1990)

5.1.3Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)

5.1.4Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000)

5.2Moral & Ethical Issues

5.2.1Online Activity Tracking

5.2.2Censorship

5.2.3Cultural Issues

5.2.4Environmental Issues

5.2.5Layout, Colour Paradigms & Character Sets

6Elements of Computational Thinking

6.1Thinking Abstractly

6.1.1Abstraction

6.2Thinking Procedurally

6.2.1Decomposition

6.3Thinking Logically

6.3.1Pseudocode & Flow Diagrams

7Problem Solving & Programming

7.1Programming Techniques

7.1.1Programming Fundamentals

7.1.2Modularity

7.2Programming Construction

7.2.1Integrated Development Environments

7.2.2Testing

8Algorithms

8.1Algorithms

8.1.1Interpreting, Correcting & Completing Algorithm

8.1.2Sort Algorithms

8.1.3Insertion & Merge Sort

8.1.4Search Algorithms

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