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Difference between Time-Sharing and Distributed Operating System

In this article, you will learn the difference between time-sharing and distributed operating systems. But before discussing the differences, you must know about time-sharing and distributed operating systems with their advantages and disadvantages.

What is Time Sharing Operating System?

A time-shared operating system enables numerous users to share computers at the same time. Each action or order reduces the size of the shared system, using only a little amount of CPU time for each user. As the system often switches from one user to another, every user has the impression that the entire system is dedicated to their use, despite numerous users sharing the system.

A time-sharing OS uses CPU scheduling and multi-programming to give each user a small part of a shared machine at the same time. In memory, each user has at least one different program. When a program is loaded into memory and executed, it runs for a brief time, either before or after input/output is completed. It is usually in the range of 10 to 100 ms. This short amount of time during which the user has the CPU’s attention is referred to as a time slice, time slot, and quantum. It is more complex than multiprogramming OS. Multiple jobs must be held in memory at the same time in both cases. Hence the system must have memory management and security. The jobs may have to swap in and out of disc from the main memory to ensure a good response time, which now functions as a backup store for the main memory. A common method of accomplishing this is virtual memory, which is a mechanism that allows you to perform a task that may not be entirely in memory.

Advantages and disadvantages of Time-Sharing Operating System

There are various advantages and disadvantages of a time-sharing operating system. These are as follows:

Advantages

1. It aids in decreasing the CPU idle time.
2. It provides a fast response.
3. It decreases the paperwork.
4. It avoids the duplication of software.
5. Many apps may be executed simultaneously.
6. Each task gets an equal opportunity.

Disadvantages

1. Data communication occurs in the time-sharing OS.
2. It has an issue with data communication.
3. It has an issue of reliability.
4. It has less security, integrity data, and user programs.

What is Distributed Operating System?

A distributed operating system is a concept in which distributed applications run on several linked systems via communications. A distributed OS is a network OS modification that enables more communication and integration amongst network computers.

It uses a single communication channel to connect several machines. Additionally, each of these systems is equipped with a processor and memory. These CPUs may also communicate across high-speed buses or telephone lines. Individual systems communicating over a single channel are considered to be separate entities. They’re also known as loosely coupled systems.

It consists of several computers, nodes, and sites that are linked together through LAN/WAN lines. It enables the distribution of whole systems on a couple of center processors and supports a wide set of real-time products and users. Distributed operating systems may share computer resources and input/output files while also giving virtual machine abstraction to users.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Distributed Operating System

There are various advantages and disadvantages of the distributed operating system. These are as follows:

Advantages

1. It aids in the decrease of data processing time.
2. It provides better performance than a single system.
3. Users may add multiple resources very easily.
4. It is an open system since it may be accessed locally and remotely.
5. It can share all resources, including a network interface, CPU, computers, and disk nodes, from one site to another, increasing data availability across the whole system.
6. It provides better portability.
7. Most distributed OS are composed of multiple nodes that interact to make them fault-tolerant. Even if a single machine fails, the system continues to function.

Disadvantages

1. It has a security issue because of sharing.
2. There is an overloading problem.
3. Its maintenance is very expensive because it is distributed across various servers.
4. It may only support a few software.
5. Some data packets may be corrupted due to the large networks.
6. If the main processor fails, the entire network will halt.

Main differences between the Time-sharing and Distributed operating system

There are various main differences between the time-sharing and distributed operating system. Some of the main differences between the time-sharing and distributed operating system are as follows:

1. A time-shared OS enables numerous users to share computers simultaneously. On the other hand, a distributed operating system is a concept in which distributed applications run on several systems that are linked together via communications.
2. Multiple users share computer resources in Time-sharing OS. In contrast, the distributed OS connects several computers through a single communication channel.
3. The time-sharing operating system depends on the time switch between the different processes. In contrast, the distributed operating system depends on devices to switch between the tasks like I/O interrupts and many more.
4. The time-sharing operating system executes multiple applications at the same time. On the other hand, the distributed operating system allows many applications to execute on several systems that are linked together via communications.
5. Examples of the time-sharing OS are Windows, Linux, Unix, Multics, On the other hand, examples of the distributed OS are Solaris, AIX, OSF, etc.
6. The time-Sharing OS aids in reducing the CPU idle time. On the other hand, the Distributed OS aids in the reduction of data processing time.
7. Multiple users may use a CPU in their terminal in the time-sharing operating system. On the other hand, multiple users may use multiple CPUs linked together through communications in a distributed operating system.

Head-to-head comparison between the time-sharing operating system and distributed operating system

There are various head-to-head comparisons between the time-sharing and distributed operating systems. Some of the main head-to-head comparisons of the time-sharing and distributed operating system are as follows:

Time-Sharing Operating System	Distributed Operating System
It allows numerous users to share the computer simultaneously.	It handles a collection of independent, communicating, and networked systems and makes them look like an ordinary centralized OS.
It has less portability than the distributed OS.	It has better portability than the time-sharing OS.
It depends on the time switch between the different processes.	It depends on devices to switch between the tasks like input/output interrupts and many more.
It executes multiple applications simultaneously.	It allows many applications to execute via communications on several systems.
It aids in reducing the CPU idle time.	It aids in the decrease of data processing time.
Multiple users may use a CPU in their terminal in the time-sharing operating system.	In a distributed operating system, multiple users may use multiple CPUs linked together through the communications.
Examples of the time-sharing OS are Windows, Linux, Unix, Multics, etc.	Examples of distributed OS are Solaris, AIX, OSF, etc.

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