Architecture
Types of Operating Systems
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Why do we need different types of operating systems?
Different operating systems are required in order to cater to the differing use cases of the devices that run them and the amount of system resources available. Three types of operating systems include:
Embedded
Stand alone
Server
Embedded
A type of operating system that is built in and designed to operate on a particular hardware configuration. The highly integrated nature of embedded operating systems means that it is compact and resource efficient and thus is most often used on small devices like household appliances, cars, cameras or ATMs. This makes embedded OSs low cost in terms of hardware and software.
Stand-alone
An OS that runs without the assistance of any other system. They are fully self contained. They may be networked but are not required to be. A stand alone OS begins its own execution and never fully hands over execution to another system.
Server
An OS that is designed to support a network. In most networks, the server is the computer that controls access to the hardware and software on a network and provides a centralised storage area. Clients connected to the network rely on the server for resources.