Multiprogramming Operating System

Can you imagine an operating system that can run multiple programs at the same time without the risk of buffering or shutting down? That would be a treat for the computer programmers, right? 

This is the main reason we work on multiprogramming operating systems. It is defined as a system that switches between multiple programs without lagging. Hence, increasing your system’s overall efficiency while saving time. 

Would you like to learn more about this useful invention? Then follow this blog to get information about the multiprogramming operating system and the single user operating system as well. 

Multiprogramming Operating System

As the name suggests, the multiprogramming operating system is a component placed within your CPU which is used to run more than one program at a given point in time. 

The multiple OS makes use of the single processor machine which is used to improve the efficiency of the CPU.

You can think of it as a resource that can perform multiple tasks simultaneously without buffering or overlapping the system. 

multiprogramming Operating System works when the CPU immediately switches between programs when one requires the input/output operation. 

Let us take the example of programs A1 and A2. While your operating system is working on the A1 program it will detect whether it requires running the input/output operation. 

If that is the case, the program will automatically switch to the A2 program and so forth. In case the CPU detects that there are no further programs to run, it will immediately switch over to the previous program. 

This is precisely how the multiprogramming OS conducts its operations. Now that you have a sufficient level of understanding of the Multiprogramming OS.

Let us discuss some of its advantages and disadvantages as well.

Advantages of Multiprogramming OS

• The CPU gets utilized to its maximum capacity since it is never left in an idle state. 
• The state of utilization of the memory is up to par. 
• The operations conducted by the CPU are optimal and various interactive user terminals are also supported by the CPU. 

Disadvantages of Multiprogramming OS

• While using the Multiprogramming OS, it is important to schedule the CPU in an efficient manner because a variety of different programs will be running on the CPU simultaneously. 
• The users will not be able to participate in computing the programs while the operations are running. 
• Also, the programs cannot be modified by the programmers while the operations are running. 

Since this is a complex task if choosing between programs, it might be possible that the memory may run out of space due to the presence of a number of jobs. 

If that is the case then the system is liable to make a uniform decision and choose between the jobs. This process is known as job scheduling. 

Within this process, the system has to input a specific number of jobs into the memory to be processed later. This is what memory management is required for. 

Finally, if the selective jobs have been sorted and installed in the memory, the system further recruits CPU scheduling to figure out which program it should start with first. 

Now that we have looked into the advantages and the disadvantages of the multiprogramming OS, let us familiarize ourselves with its types:

Multitasking Operating System

As the name suggests, the multitasking operating system accomplishes the task of programming multiple tasks at the same time. This is executed by switching between programs while simultaneously saving them into memory. The programs are temporarily saved in the memory until they are required again. 

Multiuser Operating System

This sort of operating system allows the users to access the programs from different terminals using a central computer program. This is accomplished by continuously switching between the different terminals for accessing the programs within a specific duration of time. This process is executed fast enough for every user to have continued access to their respective terminals. 

Now that we have thoroughly discussed the various concepts of the multiprogramming operating system, Let us now discuss the single user operating system. 

Single User Operating System

This sort of operating system is designed to allow a single user in order to execute the computer programs. 

The two-way messaging devices and the wireless phones make use of the single user operating system. This operating system is responsible for managing the various applications that are being used in these devices. 

It is further divided into two types based on its use and application. You will find that the single-tasking operating system is only capable of performing one task at a time whereas, the scenario is completely the opposite with the multi-tasking operating system. 

Examples include Windows OS, Linux, etc. These operating systems allow multitasking by a single user hence enhancing time efficiency and also making sure that using these programs is cost-effective. 

Here are the two types of single user operating systems that are available:

Single-tasking operating system

This allows a single user to perform one task at a time which encompasses the whole screen of the device. 

It can include editing pictures, printing photos, etc. This sort of operating system is cost efficient and it certainly takes up a lesser percentage of the device’s memory. 

Multi-tasking operating system

Our devices also facilitate running multiple different programs or applications at the same time. Such as, surfing your web browser, downloading images, etc. This is because of the presence of a multitasking operating system. 

One of the biggest advantages of this is that you can perform multiple tasks at the same time. This makes it cost-efficient and ensures less memory is consumed on your device. 

Final thought

The computer operations that are conducted using the multiprogramming operating system are certainly for executing high-end programming tasks. 

While keeping in mind the concept of the multiprogramming operating system, we have also incorporated a few important pieces of information about the single user operating system. This way you can compare the scale of operations conducted by both.