15 Different Types of Operating System | Uses & Applications of OS

In this article, we are going to explain in detail about 15 Types of operating system as well as essential application and uses of operating system with its applications with ease. This is unique article over the internet, make sure that at the end of this blog post; you will definitely fully learnt about Operating System Types with Examples without getting any hassle.

What is Operating System?

Definition: OS means operating system, and it likes as software component of computer system that is responsible for the management of all resources of computer system, and it generate the friendly environment for all applications and software, which are installed on the computer because it allows the access to them for performing their tasks effectively.  So, at least one operating system must be installed on all types of computers.  

operating-system

‘Operating System Types’ Tutorial Headlines:

In this section, we will show you all headlines about this entire article; you can check them as your choice; below shown all:

  1. What is Operating System?
  2. Types of Operating System
  • Batch Processing Operating System
  • Multi-programming Operating System
  • Multiprocessor Operating System
  • Desktop Operating System
  • Distributed Operating System
  • Clustered Operating System
  • Embedded operating system
  • Real Time Operating System
  • Handheld Operating System
  • Network Operating System
  • Multitasking Operating System
  • Multi user Operating System
  • Single User Operating System
  • Time Shared Operating System
  1. Uses of Operating System
  2. Applications of Operating System
  3. Examples of Operating System
  4. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
  • What are different types of operating system with examples?
  • How many types operating systems are there?
  • What are the 10 uses of operating system in computer?
  • Where is the operating system used?
  • What are the applications of operating system in real life?

Let’s Get Start!!

What are Types of Operating System with Examples?

Here, below list of different types of operating systems , which are used in computer. Describe each one.

Batch Processing Operating System

In the Batch processing operating system, all jobs (tasks) are executed in series nature on the computer system without any hindrance. In this system all processing performs automatically, and no need the insert manually input.

Batch Processing Operating Systems Examples:

  • IBM OS/360
  • Burroughs MCP (Master Control Program)
  • CDC Kronos
  • UNIVAC EXECICL
  • VME (Virtual Machine Environment)
  • Honeywell GCOS (General Comprehensive Operating System)
  • DEC OS/8
  • HP MPE/iX (Multi-Programming Executive)
  • Fujitsu MSP (Master System Processor)
  • IBSYS

Multi-programming Operating System

Multiprogramming operating system has ability to execute multiple programs with using of only one processor machine. Multi-programming was started to overcome the problem of under utilization of CPU and main memory. Multiprogramming is interfered in the execution of multiple jobs by a single computer.

Multi-programming Operating System Examples:

  • Unix
  • Linux
  • Windows (Various Editions)
  • macOS
  • IBM z/OS
  • VMS (Virtual Memory System)
  • AIX (Advanced Interactive eXecutive)
  • Solaris
  • HP-UX (Hewlett-Packard Unix)
  • Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX)

Multiprocessor Operating System

Multiprocessor operating system allows to connect multiple central processing units within a single computer system. The term refers to the ability of a system to support more than one processor or assign tasks to them.

Multiprocessor Operating System Examples:

  • Windows Server
  • Linux
  • macOS Server
  • AIX (Advanced Interactive eXecutive)
  • Solaris
  • HP-UX (Hewlett-Packard Unix)
  • Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX)
  • FreeBSD
  • OpenVMS
  • IBM z/OS

Desktop Operating System

Desktop operating system is known as “Client Operating System”. Desktop operating system is installed in the user’s machine such as (desktop, laptop or notepad), and it provides the environment in between the users and hardware, due to that environment users can control the entire local machine as well as their peripheral.

Desktop Operating System Examples:

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 11
  • macOS Monterey
  • Ubuntu
  • Fedora
  • Linux Mint
  • Chrome OS
  • Elementary OS
  • FreeBSD
  • Manjaro

Distributed Operating System

The distributed operating system is a model where distributed apps are running on many computers connected through communication. A distributed operating system is an extension of the network operating system that supports high levels of communication and integration of machines on the network.

Distributed Operating System Examples:

  • Amoeba
  • Plan 9 from Bell Labs
  • Inferno
  • Sprite
  • Locus Distributed Operating System
  • V Distributed System
  • Ficus
  • CloudNet
  • MOSIX
  • Coda File System

Clustered Operating System

A clustered system uses several CPUs to accomplish a task. It is different from the parallel system in the package system, in which two or more separate systems are tied together. Clustered computers share the storage and are connected closely through LAN networking.
Clustering is usually done to provide high availability. A layer of cluster software runs on the cluster nodes. Each node can monitor one or more nodes on the LAN.

Clustered Operating System Examples:

  • Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC
  • Linux-HA (High Availability)
  • VMware vSphere High Availability (HA)
  • Red Hat High Availability Add-On
  • IBM PowerHA (formerly HACMP – High Availability Cluster Multiprocessing)
  • Oracle Clusterware
  • Veritas Cluster Server (VCS)
  • HP Serviceguard
  • Apache Hadoop
  • Beowulf

Embedded Operating System

Embedded operating system is a simple type of O/S that is implement in embedded devices.Embedded operating system is totally different types of operating system due to their optimized design. Embedded system is referred to those devices which are built for special function purpose.

Embedded operating system Examples:

  • FreeRTOS
  • VxWorks
  • QNX
  • Embedded Linux
  • RTEMS
  • Micrium µC/OS
  • ThreadX
  • Nucleus RTOS
  • eCos (Embedded Configurable Operating System)
  • TinyOS

Real Time Operating System

Purpose of operating system (OS) is responsible for managing the computer’s hardware resources and hosting applications running on the computer. Real Time Operating System is designed specifically for such applications, which are run 24*7 days without human interference. This can be particularly important in measurement and automation systems, where downtime is expensive or delay in program security can be a threat.

Real Time Operating System Examples:

  • FreeRTOS
  • VxWorks
  • QNX
  • RTEMS
  • Micrium OS
  • eCos (Embedded Configurable Operating System)
  • Nucleus RTOS
  • ThreadX
  • Integrity RTOS
  • TOPPERS

Handheld Operating System

Handheld operating systems are small tools that do basic tasks like email, web browsing and scheduling.

Handheld Operating System Examples:

  • Android
  • iOS
  • HarmonyOS (Hongmeng OS)
  • KaiOS
  • BlackBerry OS
  • Windows Phone (Windows 10 Mobile)
  • Tizen
  • Palm OS
  • Symbian OS
  • Nintendo Switch OS

Network Operating System

Network Operating System is designed especially for operating different networking terminals such as router, hub, switch, firewall, server, and more. Network Operating System is installed on the server machine, because it helps to provide the best ability of servers for managing of several users, data, group, and etc.

Network Operating System Examples:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008
  • Microsoft Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Windows XP
  • Artisoft’s LANtastic
  • Novell NetWare
  • Banyan VINES
  • Sun Solaris
  • AppleShare
  • Mac OS X

Multitasking Operating System

Multitasking Operating System can support to multiple tasks (Programs), and it executes them concurrently without losing any information. For instance, users can browse internet while playing game.

Multitasking Operating System Examples:

  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 2000
  • IBM’s OS/390
  • Linux
  • UNIX

Multi user Operating System

In multi user operating system, multiple users can access to single machine with running one operating system at a same time. For example – if printer connects to network system, then several users can give the multiple commands for generating the hard copy.

Multi user Operating System Examples:

  • Unix
  • Virtual Memory System
  • Mainframe OS
  • Windows NT
  • Windows 2000
  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista
  • Mac OS X
  • Linux
  • FreeBSD

Single User Operating System

Single User Operating System is designed especially for personal computer system. In Single User Operating System, only one user can access single operating system at a time. It has two variant such as Single user/ Single Task OS, Single user/Multi Task OS.

Single User Operating System Examples:

  • Windows 1.0
  • Windows 2.0
  • Windows 3.0
  • Windows 3.1x
  • Windows 95
  • Windows 97
  • Windows 98
  • Windows ME
  • MS – DOS
  • Symbian OS

Time Sharing Operating System

Time sharing Operating system delivers direct access to multiple users while splitting CPU time in among all users according to schedule system, and this operating system assigns set of time for every user.

Time-sharing operating system implements CPU scheduling and multi programming system which to deliver to every users a small piece of operating time.

Time Shared Operating System Examples:

  • VMS (OpenVMS)
  • Linux
  • Unix
  • IBM OS/360 and successors
  • Multics
  • RSTS/E (Resource Sharing Time-Sharing Extended)
  • TOPS-10 and TOPS-20
  • CP/CMS
  • ITS (Incompatible Timesharing System)
  • CTSS (Compatible Time-Sharing System)

Uses of Operating System

Read More – Real Time Operating System (RTOS) Tutorial

The main use of an operating system is to ensure that the computer can be used and the user can do the exact same way that the command given by the user needs to be understood by the operating system that is in the computer or the device accordingly Can work. The ability of a single operating system makes everything much easier because the technique does not need to do many different processes that are told.

Other Operating System Uses:

The operating system is essential for the operation of any computer. Even in a single-OS that appears, a computer performs many functions at once:

–  Display an image
–  Run the software
–  Polling for various signals

This is true for everything from NES, ATARI, DOS or Windows PC etc (I did not get into multi-threading)

A (single core) CPU can process a single instruction stream only once (thread). As such, it is to do all those things to jump between these different tasks. It gives the illusion of multitasking.

At a very basic level, an operating system is just a scheduler. In this, there is a list of processes requiring CPU time and provides access to each process one by one, or on the basis of the load.

Without it, you will get stuck arithmetic and 100% CPU time will be required for the output.

Operating Systems Used in Banks

  •   UNIX
  •  LINUX

Operating Systems Used in Mobile

  • Symbian OS
  • Windows Mobile
  • Palm OS
  • IOS

Applications of Operating System

Read More – Distributed Operating System Tutorial 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are different types of operating system with examples?

There are 14 types of operating system that are used into your computer like as:

  1. Batch Processing Operating System
  2. Multi-programming Operating System
  3. Multiprocessor Operating System
  4. Desktop Operating System
  5. Distributed Operating System
  6. Clustered Operating System
  7. Embedded operating system
  8. Real Time Operating System
  9. Handheld Operating System
  10. Network Operating System
  11. Multitasking Operating System
  12. Multi user Operating System
  13. Single User Operating System
  14. Time Shared Operating System

Examples are: Linux, UNIX, Windows 8, Windows 10, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Symbian OS, LOCUS, DYNIX, and more.

How many types operating systems are there?

There are 3 most common operating systems for your computer system such as Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What are the 10 uses of operating system in computer?

  1. User Interface
  2. Booting Process
  3. Protection
  4. Maintain System Performance
  5. Job Accountability
  6. Error Detection and Removal
  7. Fix Error and Bugs
  8. Create Coordination
  9. Memory Handler
  10. Process Handler
  11. I/O Device Management
  12. File Management

Where is the operating system used?

Now these days, operating system is mostly used everywhere like as banks, schools, hospitals, companies, mobiles, automobile engine controllers system, spacecraft Control System, Large-scale computing systems, and so on.

What are the applications of operating system in real life?

There are many applications of operating system, which are used in your real life such as banks, schools, hospitals, mobile, etc.

Final Words

Make sure that now you have been fully educated about what is operating system and its types, uses, examples and applications of operating system with ease. If this article is useful for you, then please share it along with your friends, family members or relatives over social media platforms like as Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, Twitter, and more.

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Happy Learning!!

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