I have to say, I'm not 100 per cent sure what this question is asking. To the best of my knowledge, it can only be asking about the types and classifications of operating systems available on the market today. If this is the case, then there are a number of classifications of operating systems. The main types of operating systems are the multiprocessor, the multiuser, the multi-task, the multithreaded and the real-time classifications of operating system.
Multiprocessing operating systems allow for the use of more than one central processing unit (CPUs) within one computer system. The CPUs within the computer can be equal, or they can have specific purposes and functions. If processors are tightly coupled, they will usually share a single memory base, whereas if the CPUs are loosely coupled, they will have separate memory bases that are connected via a high speed connection.
A multiuser operating system allows a number of users to access the material on one particular server at the same time. This is beneficial for use in companies and businesses, as the server can be accessed by remote users - ideal for workers who travel or work from home. The multi-task operating system is another name for this concept, although multi-tasking operating systems can also be used to refer to batch processing systems for mainframe computers in large companies or organizations.
A multithreaded operating system allows the computer to undertake more than one unit of processing at one time. This is beneficial as problematic processes, or threads, will not prevent the success of straightforward threads. However, executing too many threads at one time can cause the treads to interfere with each other.
A real-time operating system must have a pre-known maximum time limit for each of the functions to be performed on the computer. A hard real-time operating system can completely guarantee the maximum amount of time that a process will take, whereas a soft real-time operating system may only be able to guarantee this time limit occasionally.
Multiprocessing operating systems allow for the use of more than one central processing unit (CPUs) within one computer system. The CPUs within the computer can be equal, or they can have specific purposes and functions. If processors are tightly coupled, they will usually share a single memory base, whereas if the CPUs are loosely coupled, they will have separate memory bases that are connected via a high speed connection.
A multiuser operating system allows a number of users to access the material on one particular server at the same time. This is beneficial for use in companies and businesses, as the server can be accessed by remote users - ideal for workers who travel or work from home. The multi-task operating system is another name for this concept, although multi-tasking operating systems can also be used to refer to batch processing systems for mainframe computers in large companies or organizations.
A multithreaded operating system allows the computer to undertake more than one unit of processing at one time. This is beneficial as problematic processes, or threads, will not prevent the success of straightforward threads. However, executing too many threads at one time can cause the treads to interfere with each other.
A real-time operating system must have a pre-known maximum time limit for each of the functions to be performed on the computer. A hard real-time operating system can completely guarantee the maximum amount of time that a process will take, whereas a soft real-time operating system may only be able to guarantee this time limit occasionally.
