Operating System is Software that acts as an interface between computer hardware and User. It is used by users for communicating with devices. Devices like mobile hardware, computer hardware, ATM hardware, and so on.

Operating System is made up of two words first Operating Means How to use and the second word is a system which is like a method or an approach which we used to use the system.
Why is it required for communicating with devices like Mobile, Computer and so on?
It is required because computers and devices like computers can understand only machine language. For us, it is not easy to first learn machine language then use a computer and it also may take a long time. So replacing these processes as I discussed above. We introduced the Operating System.
Types of Operating System
- Real Time OS
- Distributed OS
- Batch Operating System
- Multitasking/ Time Sharing OS
- Network OS
- Mobile OS
Real-Time Operating System:- Real-Time operating systems are the systems that are useful where the events occur in a short time. Military software systems and space software systems are two examples of real-time operating systems.
Distributed Operating System(DOS):- Distributed systems use many processors located in different machines that provide quick computation to their users.
Batch Operating System:- Batch OS is the first OS for second-generation computers. The Batch Operating System does not directly interact with the computer. Instead, an operator gathers jobs that are related and arranges them into a batch, which is then completed one by one according to the first-come, first-serve concept.
Multitasking/Time-Sharing OS:- Multitasking/Time-sharing operating system as the name suggests. It uses a common computer that enables people located at a different terminal(shell). Time-sharing operating systems use a single computer system at the same time. Time-sharing refers to the division of processor time (CPU) among many users.
Network OS:- Network operating systems are the systems that run on a server and It manages all the networking functions like sharing various files, applications, printers, security, and other networking functions over a small network of computers like LAN or any other private network. Every user in the network OS is aware of the configurations of every other user on the network. Tightly connected systems are another name for network operating systems.
Mobile OS:- A mobile Operating System is an operating system that is designed for smartphones, tablets, and PDA’s. It’s a platform that allows other apps to operate on mobile devices.
Functions of Operating System
Here is the list of functions of the operating System
- Memory Management
- Process Management
- File Management
- Device Management
- Error Detection
- I/O System Management
- Security
- Job accounting
- Communication management
- Control over system performance
Memory Management:- In memory management it refers to the management of Primary or Main Memory. It is allocating memory depending upon the need for resources. It is allocating memory to the process and deallocating after the process is finished.
Process Management:- The Operating System selects which processes get the processor when and for how long in process management. This function is called process scheduling. Process Management keeps track of the processor and the status of the processor. A traffic controller is the program that accomplishes this duty. Allocates a processor-based CPU to a process. When a process is no longer needed, the processor is de-allocated.
File Management:- A file system is organized in the form of directories for efficient or easy wayfinding and usage. There are possibilities that directories may contain other directories and other files. An Operating System. It keeps track of where information is stored, user access settings and status of every file, and so on. These facilities are collectively known as the file system.
Device Management:- An operating system (OS) controls device connection through drivers. It manages devices by doing the following tasks. This program keeps track of all the devices that are linked to the system. Determines which processes are allowed access to a device and for how long. Allocates devices in a way that is both effective and efficient. When a device is no longer needed, it is deallocated.
Error detecting aids:- Dump files, traces, error messages, and other debugging and error-detection tools are created. The operating system constantly monitors the system in order to discover faults and prevent the machine from malfunctioning.
I/O System Management:- One of the main objects of any OS is to hide the peculiarities of hardware devices from the user.
Security:- To safeguard user data, the operating system employs password protection and other related measures. It also guards against unauthorized access to programs and user data.
Job accounting:- Keeping track of the amount of time and resources used by different jobs and users.
Communication management:- Compilers, interpreters, and other software resources of the various users of the computer systems are coordinated and assigned.
Control over system performance:- Keeping track of how long it takes for the system to respond to service requests.
Features of Operating System
Here is the list of features of the operating System
- It provides file System Abstraction.
- It provides a user interface.
- It provides a platform for run an applications
- It handles memory management and CPU scheduling.
- It provides Network Support.
- It Supports application development
- It Provides security features
- It Provides utilities and system services.
Examples of Operating System
Here are some examples of Operating Systems
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a collection of graphical operating systems from the company Microsoft. Which is developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. It has different types of windows like Windows 95, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11.
macOS
macOS is a series of graphical operating systems. Which is developed by Apple Inc. It is the successor to Mac OS X, and it is the os that powers Apple’s Mac family of computers.
Linux
It is built around the Linux kernel and It is a free and open-source software operating system. Linux is one of the most famous operating systems for servers and embedded devices. Millions of people use it on their computers all over the world.
Android
Android is a Google-created mobile operating system. It is based on the Linux kernel. It was created with touchscreen mobile devices in mind, such as smartphones and tablets.
iOS
Another example of an Apple Inc. mobile operating system. iOs is the successor to iPhone OS. It is the operating system that runs the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
What are the 5 operating system?
Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Linux, Android, and Apple’s iOS.
What is an operating system?
Operating System is Software that acts as an interface between computer hardware and User. It is used by users for communicating with devices. Devices like mobile hardware, computer hardware, ATM hardware, and so on.