Operating Systems 

         An operating system, or OS, is a common computer piece in the world today. An OS is an intricate set of software programs that helps organize information within a computer’s hardware. It can store information and retrieve it from memory systems or the hard drive. It can also direct applications and programs within the computer or from portable sources. In essence, an operating system communicates between the hardware and the programs as an organizational tool. For example, when you click on a program file to retrieve stored information, it is the operating system that communicates the command to the hardware, which pulls up the desired information. This means the only way that programs and hardware can interact is through the operating system, which determines the set of procedures and regulations they must follow to maintain order in the computer system.

          There are many common operating systems used in the world today. They are used in many electronic devices, including computers, phones, videogames, tablets, portable music devices and websites. The Macintosh company is currently known for producing several operating systems, including Mac OS and Mac OS X (there are several versions of the Mac OS X, including the Lion and the Snow Leopard). The search engine Google recently developed the Google Chrome operating system, thought it was created from the foundations of an older system know as Linux kernel, one of the first that applied to many different devices. Linux, in turn, was derived from UNIX, the original (and largest) group of operating systems, which included a successful subgroup known as BSD. Microsoft Windows is another popular operating system with many versions (Windows 95, Windows 7, etc.).

            There are also many different types of operating systems. Some are more commonly used than others, but all have benefits. Some, base their functions on timelines and real-time events. These programs are found in scheduled updates, reservation programs and other time-related tasks; they are known as real-time operating systems. A distributed operating system, on the other hand, links many computers together to create a cohesive network of information and rules; power and electricity-governing computers are a typical example.

      Multi-user and single-user operating systems either allow multiple access to computer information (multi) or only allow the access of one persona at a time (single). Home computers typically allow only one user access at a time to the system on that computer. An embedded operating system are typically found on devices other than computers – usually phones and other small devices – and have much more strict, regulated, efficient operating styles than others. Without the invention of the operating system, computers would not have nearly the amount of power, diversity and applicability they do today.

Networking

Networking is a vital factor for the successful working of information systems. There are various networking systems, i.e., Television networks. Railway networks, Post and Telegraph networks and Computer networks. But the contributions of computer networking are significant. In a computer networking, computers are connected with one another for sharing programs, data's, documents etc. or in short information's.

Computer network systems are mainly two types. i.e.

(a) The Local Area Network (LAN) for smart 

distance with a high data transfer rate.

(b) The Wide Area Network (WAN) for greater 

physical distance with a low transfer rate.

With tremendous revolution in micro computer (PC) in early eighties, the LAN system gained its momentum.

The LAN system in a PC can work within a short distance, i.e., with the same floor in a building or in different floors of the same building through cable networking. LANs consist of workstations that are connected to a control computer called FILE SERVER (special purpose computer).The file server is.

The central node of any of the network systems that sends instructions to the workstations. Actually workstations are the nodal computers and the users use it for executing their application programs locally. The work stations send request to the central node i.e., file server for receiving the desired instructions.

LANS network topologies are of three types star,  ring and bus. Network technology is the method by which various terminals/stations are connected with each other. LAN can be connected to larger networks including mainframe computers. This gives the users of LANS access to enormous computing power and excellent communication facilities. Computerization in banking system is the best example of LAN network.

When computer system connections cover a long distance or larger geographical area like intercity, intercity or countries to share information's, the configuration is called Wide Area Network (WAN). This is basically are extensions of LAN through telephone links and satellite connections. A Router (special purpose computer) and software’s are required to establish the link.