MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

WHAT IS MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

•The operating system that runs more than one task at a 

time is known as a multitasking operating system (MOS). 

MOS can be a desktop or mobile operating system (OS).

•Different tasks run in the OS are MS Word, MS Excel, email

 application, browser, media player, OS services, etc.

WHAT IS MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MULTITASKING AND MULTIPROGRAMMING OPERATING SYSTEM 

•Multi programming –

•In a modern computing system, there are usually several 

concurrent application processes which want to execute. 

Now it is the responsibility of the Operating System to 

manage all the processes effectively and efficiently.

•One of the most important aspects of an Operating System 

is to multi-program.

•In a computer system, there are multiple processes waiting

 to be executed, i.e. they are waiting when the CPU will be 

allocated to them and they begin their execution.

Multitasking

•Multitasking, in an operating system, is allowing a user to 

perform more than one computer task (such as the 

operation of an application program) at a time. The 

the operating system is able to keep track of where you are in 

these tasks and go from one to the other without losing 

information. Microsoft Windows 2000, IBM's OS/390, and 

Linux are examples of operating systems that can do 

multitasking (almost all of today's operating systems can).

When you open your Web browser and then open Word

at At the same time, you are causing the operating system to do

multitasking.

•Being able to do multitasking doesn't mean that an 

unlimited number of tasks can be juggled at the same

time. 

Each task consumes system storage and other resources. 

As more tasks are started, the system may slow down or 

begin to run out of shared storage. 

Advantages of the multitasking operating system (MOS) Timesharing: 

•Time-sharing is the main concept and benefit of MOS. All

 tasks are given a suitable amount of time. 

Handle multiple users: 

•Multiple users running multiple programs can be best 

handled by MOS. All programs run smoothly without a glitch

in performance. All users of OS are given a suitable 

amount of time. 

Protected memory: 

•Memory is better managed in MOS. Unauthorized 

applications are not given permission to overuse memory. 

Efficient virtual memory: 

•If any program has a long waiting time due to any I/O

interrupt, that program is shifted to virtual memory. After 

completion of the I/O operation, the program comes back

to 

RAM. The process of virtual memory management is nicely 

handled in MOS. 

Programs can run in the background: 

•OS services and another type of background services are 

also given some time to run in the OS. These programs are 

not visible to a normal computer user. But these programs 

keep running to maintain other programs run smoothly. 

Example of background program is a firewall, anti-virus 

protection programs etc.

Increase reliability: 

•OS runs smoothly in using multitasking. All type of 

computer users become satisfied. Either user can run a 

a single program or multiple programs they don’t feel any fault 

in using a computer. 

The user can use multiple programs: 

•Multiple programs like MS Word, MS Excel, Photoshop, 

browser, games, and calculator can run at the same time. 

This is a big advantage to MOS. 

Best use of computer resources: 

•Computer resources like RAM, Processor, I/O devices, hard

 drive and Gaming consoles are better managed in MOS.