Evolution of Operating System

Introduction:

• Operating system is a type of software that acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.

• Operating systems are the backbone of every digital device, bridging hardware and software.

• These operating systems are evolved over the years and cater to the best user experience.

• The journey of operating systems started in 1940 with the beginning of the digital age.

• The earliest computer was operated without an operating system, and the programs were manually written and executed sequentially. 

 

1. The First Generation (Serial Processing)

•  Time period : 1940 to 1950
• an operating system was not included in the creation of the first electrical computer.
• These early computers were huge! And they came with a big price tag too.
• Despite their size and cost, they could only do simple tasks.
• Imagine a computer without an operating system! That’s how they were. They just did tasks one by one.
• This means they finish one task before starting the next. No multitasking here!

2. The Second Generation (Batch System)

•  Time period : 1955 – 1965
• the IBM Computer, General Motors has created the operating system.
• Because it gathers all related jobs into groups or batches and then submits them to the operating system. 
• similar tasks (or jobs) are grouped into batches and then processed sequentially without any user interaction.
• The goal was to automate the processing of jobs and minimize the setup time.

3. The Third Generation (Multi-Programmed Batch System)

• Time period : 1965 – 1980
• Control is transferred to the operating system upon each job’s completion, whether it be routinely or unexpectedly.
• The operating system cleans up after each work is finished before reading and starting the subsequent job on a punch card.
• Large, professionally operated machines known as mainframes were introduced after that.
• Multiprogramming allows multiple jobs to reside in the main memory at once. 
• Since multiple jobs are done at once, there was a need for more advanced memory management.
• These memory needs led to the development of concepts such as memory partitioning, paging, and segmentation.

4. The Fourth Generation (Time-Sharing Operating System)

• Time period : 1980 – Present Day
• The fourth generation of personal computers is the result of these PDPs.
• The evolution of the personal computer is linked to the fourth generation of operating systems.
• Graphical User Interface that allows users to interact with the system using windows, icons, and menus.
• Ability to run multiple applications simultaneously.
• Built-in capabilities to connect to and function on networks, including the Internet.
• Automatically recognize and configure hardware devices.
• Advanced security mechanism to protect against malware, unauthorized access.