Grade 11 · Theory
Types of operating systems
Software · about 3 min
Visual overview: Types of operating systems1 MIN READ
2 study sections · pause after each one and recall the key ideaGrade 11 refines the OS picture: how single-user, multi-user, network and embedded systems differ, and what that means for real deployments.
Key points- Single-user (desktop) OS serves one person at a time; multi-user/server OS serves many simultaneously.
- Network operating systems manage shared resources, users and security for a whole LAN.
- Embedded and real-time OSs run appliances and machines with strict timing needs.
- Mobile OSs prioritise touch, sensors, power management and app sandboxing.
- Licensing: proprietary vs open-source affects cost, support and customisation.
- Multi-user — several users working on one system at the same time.
- Sandboxing — isolating apps so they cannot interfere with each other.
EXAM TIP
choose an OS type for a scenario (25-seat school lab with shared storage → server/network OS) and give two reasons.