Unit - 2

Operating System and MS Dos

OPERATING SYSTEM

An operating system is an interface between computer user and computer hardware. An operating system is software which

performs the entire basic task like file management, process management, memory management and controlling peripheral

device such as disk drive and printers.

“An operating system is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provide common service

to computer programs.

Some example of operating system:

1. Windows

This is the most popular operating system of a graphical user interface developed by Microsoft. Microsoft introduced

the first version as 1.0 on 10 November 1983. Later, it was released on many versions of Windows as well as the

current version, Windows 10.

2. Mac OS

Mac os is an operating system developed by Apple Inc. in 2001. It is built on unix based architecture.
3. Linux

Linux is an open source unix-like operating system based on Linux kernel or OS kernel, first published on 17 September

1991 by Linux Torvalds.

4. Android

Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software,

designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Android is developed by a

partnership of developers known as the open handset alliance and commercially sponsored by Google. It was disclosed

in November 2007, with the first commercial android device, the HTC Dreams, launched in September 2008.
5. iOS

iOS operating system was originally developed for use on Apple devices.

It is the second popular operating system for mobile devices, supports iPhone, iPad, iPodtouch.

Functions of Operating System

 Memory Management
 In multiprogramming the OS devices the order in which processes are granted access to memory, and for how long. It

allocates the memory to a process that has terminated or is performing an i/o operation.

 Process Management

A process is a program in execution. Process management involves various tasks like creation scheduling, termination

of processes, and a deadlock. The os must allocate resources that enable processes to share and exchange information.

 File Management

A file system is organized into directories for efficient or easy navigation and usage. These directories may contain

other directories and other files. It keeps track of where information is stored, user access settings and status of every

file.

 Security

The operating system uses password protection to protect user data and similar other techniques. It also prevents

unauthorized access to programs and user data.

 Error detecting aids

Operating system constantly monitors the system to detect errors and avoid the malfunctioning of the computer

system.

Types of Operating System:

 Batch Operating System

 Time Sharing Operating System
 Distributed Operating System
 Real Time operating System
 Network Operating System

Batch Operating System:

This type of operating system does not interact with the computer directly. There is an operator which takes similar jobs

having the same requirements and groups them into batches. It is the responsibility of the operator to sort jobs with similar
needs. Batch Operating System is designed to manage and execute a large number of jobs efficiently by processing them in

groups.

Time Sharing Operating System:

Each task is given some time to execute so that all the tasks work smoothly. Each user gets the time of the CPU as they use a

single system. These systems are also known as Multitasking Systems. The task can be from a single user or different users

also. The time that each task gets to execute is called quantum. After this time interval is over OS switches over to the next

task.

Distributed Operating System:

These types of operating systems are a recent advancement in the world of computer technology and are being widely

accepted all over the world and, that too, at a great pace. Various autonomous interconnected computers communicate

with each other using a shared communication network. Independent systems possess their own memory unit and CPU.

These are referred to as loosely coupled systems or distributed systems. These systems’ processors differ in size and

function. The major benefit of working with these types of the operating system is that it is always possible that one user

can access the files or software which are not actually present on his system but some other system connected within this

network i.e., remote access is enabled within the devices connected in that network.

Real Time operating System:

These types of OSs serve real-time systems. The time interval required to process and respond to inputs is very small. This

time interval is called response time. Real-time systems are used when there are time requirements that are very strict like

missile systems, air traffic control systems, robots, etc.

Network Operating System:

These systems run on a server and provide the capability to manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other

networking functions. These types of operating systems allow shared access to files, printers, security, applications, and

other networking functions over a small private network. One more important aspect of Network Operating Systems is that

all the users are well aware of the underlying configuration, of all other users within the network, their individual

connections, etc. and that’s why these computers are popularly known as tightly coupled systems.

MS - Dos

MS-DOS, short for Microsoft Disk Operating System, was a pioneering operating system that played a pivotal role in the

early days of personal computing. Developed by Microsoft and released in 1981, MS-DOS was the primary operating system

for IBM-compatible personal computers, laying the foundation for the widespread adoption of PCs in businesses and homes

around the world.

At a time when graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were still in their infancy, MS-DOS provided a command-line-based interface

that allowed users to interact with the computer through text-based commands. This streamlined, text-driven approach

made MS-DOS a highly efficient and powerful tool for managing files, running applications, and controlling the underlying

hardware. Despite its relatively limited functionality compared to modern operating systems, MS-DOS was renowned for its

stability, reliability, and exceptional performance, making it a popular choice for business and enterprise users.

MS-DOS Architecture

The architecture of MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) was designed to be efficient, lightweight, and closely

integrated with the underlying hardware. At its core, MS-DOS was a single-tasking, command-line-driven operating system

that provided a direct interface between the user and the computer's resources.

The key components of the MS-DOS architecture included the following:

Kernel and Device Drivers:

The MS-DOS kernel was responsible for managing the system's memory, handling interrupts, and providing low-level access

to the computer's hardware. This included device drivers for various components, such as the keyboard, display, and

storage devices, allowing MS-DOS to communicate with and control these peripherals.

File System:

MS-DOS utilized a relatively simple file system, known as the File Allocation Table (FAT), which allowed for the organization

and management of files and directories on the computer's storage media. The FAT file system provided a hierarchical

structure, enabling users to navigate and manipulate files and folders through the command-line interface.

Command Interpreter:

The MS-DOS command interpreter, often referred to as the "shell," was the primary user interface. This text-based

environment allowed users to execute commands, run programs, and manage the system's resources using a set of built-in

commands and external utilities. The command interpreter also facilitated the loading and execution of application

programs.

Hardware Abstraction

MS-DOS provided a layer of hardware abstraction, allowing applications to interact with the computer's hardware

components without the need for direct, low-level programming. This abstraction enabled the development of software

that could run on a variety of hardware configurations, contributing to the widespread adoption and flexibility of MS-DOS-

based systems.
 MS-DOS Commands and Utilities

MS-DOS, the Microsoft Disk Operating System, was renowned for its powerful command-line interface that allowed users to

interact with the computer and manage its resources through a series of text-based commands and utilities. These

commands and tools provided users with granular control over the system, enabling them to perform a wide range of tasks,

from file and directory management to system configuration and troubleshooting.

1. File Management Commands: MS-DOS offered a suite of commands for managing files and directories, including

DIR (list directory contents), COPY (copy files), DEL (delete files), and MKDIR/RMDIR (create and remove

directories).
2. System Navigation Commands: Users could navigate the file system and change directories using commands like

CD (change directory) and CHDIR (change directory). The PROMPT command allowed them to customize the

command prompt display.

3. Task Automation Commands: MS-DOS provided the ability to automate tasks through batch files, which were text

files containing a sequence of commands. The BATCH and ECHO commands were used to create and execute these

batch files.
4. Disk and Memory Management Commands: Commands like FORMAT, DISK, and MEM allowed users to manage

disk partitions, format storage media, and monitor system memory usage.
5. Network and Communication Commands: While MS-DOS had limited networking capabilities, commands like NET

and IPCONFIG provided basic network management and configuration options.

6. Utility Programs: MS-DOS also included a range of utility programs, such as EDIT (text editor), DEBUG (debugger),

and COMP (file comparator), which expanded the operating system's functionality and enabled advanced system

management tasks.

The breadth and depth of MS-DOS commands and utilities, combined with the operating system's stability and

performance, made it a powerful tool for both experienced users and IT professionals. While modern operating systems

have significantly enhanced graphical user interfaces and feature-rich capabilities, the legacy of MS-DOS and its command-

line-driven approach continue to influence the design and functionality of contemporary operating systems.

MS-DOS File System

The MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) file system was a key component of the overall architecture, responsible for

the organization and management of files and directories on the computer's storage media. MS-DOS utilized a relatively

simple file system known as the File Allocation Table (FAT), which provided a hierarchical structure for organizing data.

The FAT file system in MS-DOS was designed to be efficient and lightweight, allowing for quick access and retrieval of files. It

used a table-based approach to track the location of file data across the storage device, making it easy to navigate and

manage the file system through the command-line interface. Users could create directories, copy, move, and delete files

using a set of built-in commands, such as DIR, COPY, and DEL.

File Naming Conventions

MS-DOS adhered to a strict file naming convention, where each file had a name of up to 8 characters, followed by a dot and

a 3-character extension. This limited file naming structure was a reflection of the operating system's early roots and the

constraints of the underlying storage technology at the time. Despite these limitations, users were able to effectively

organize and manage their files within the MS-DOS file system.

Directory Structure

The directory structure in MS-DOS was also relatively simple, consisting of a root directory and the ability to create

subdirectories. Users could navigate the file system using commands like CD (change directory) and CHDIR (change

directory), allowing them to quickly access and manipulate files within the hierarchical structure.

While the MS-DOS file system may seem rudimentary by today's standards, it played a crucial role in the early days of

personal computing, providing a stable and efficient means of managing files and data on the IBM-compatible PCs that were

rapidly gaining popularity. The simplicity and command-line-driven nature of the FAT file system also contributed to the

overall performance and responsiveness of MS-DOS, making it a reliable and widely-adopted operating system for a

generation of computer users.