ANSWER

1)
some of important functions of an operating System:

Memory Management

Processor Management

Device Management

File Management

Security

Control over system performance

Job accounting

Error detecting aids

Coordination between other software and users

Memory Management

Memory management refers to management of Primary Memory or

Main Memory. Main memory is a large array of words or bytes where
each word or byte has its own address.

Main memory provides a fast storage that can be accessed directly by the
CPU. For a program to be executed, it must in the main memory. An
Operating System does the following activities for memory management

Keeps tracks of primary memory, i.e., what part of it are in use by whom, what
part are not in use.

In multiprogramming, the OS decides which process will get memory when and
how much.

Allocates the memory when a process requests it to do so.

De-allocates the memory when a process no longer needs it or has been

terminated.

Processor Management
In multiprogramming environment, the OS decides which process gets the
processor when and for how much time. This function is called process
scheduling. An Operating System does the following activities for
processor management.

Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. The program responsible for
this task is known as traffic controller.

Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process.

De-allocates processor when a process is no longer required.

Device Management
An Operating System manages device communication via their respective
drivers. It does the following activities for device management

Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for this task is known as
the I/O controller.

Decides which process gets the device when and for how much time.

Allocates the device in the efficient way.

De-allocates devices.

File Management
A file system is normally organized into directories for easy navigation and
usage. These directories may contain files and other directions.

Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc. The collective facilities are
often known as file system.

Decides who gets the resources.

Allocates the resources.

De-allocates the resources.

Security By means of password and similar other techniques, it prevents

unauthorized access to programs and data.
Control over system performance Recording delays between request
for a service and response from the system.
Job accounting Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs
and users.
Error detecting aids Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and
other debugging and error detecting aids.
Coordination between other software and users Coordination and
assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the
various users of the computer systems.
2)
Advantages of Timesharing operating systems are as follows

Provides the advantage of quick response.

Avoids duplication of software.

Reduces CPU idle time.

 Work directly with the computer Work directly with the computer and
see results immediately.
3)
A Network Operating System is a computer operating system designed to
manage and support workstations, personal computers and servers normally
connected to a Local Area Network. The list of network operating systems
includes Artisoft's LANtastic, Banyan VINES, Novell's NetWare and Microsoft's
LAN Manager. Some of the main functions of a network operating system are
printer sharing, common file systems, database sharing, application sharing,
managing network name directory and the ability to do housekeeping for the
network's system.
ARTISOFT'S LANTASTIC
LANtastic supports a wide variety of PC operating systems like Windows NT
4.0/2000/2003 (Workstation and/or Server), and Windows XP. It comes with
an enhanced multi-platform support. The installation and operation of the
system is fast and user friendly, along with an improved interface that allows
all networked PCs to be able to communicate by just using the Chat feature.
Users are not required to employ a dedicated server or a full-time network
manager because the system is simple and easy to maintain.
BANYAN VINES
Banyan Virtual Integrated Network Service (VINES) is a network operating
system based on proprietary protocol family. The protocol is basically derived
from Xerox Network Systems (XNS) protocols, where it uses a client-server
architecture that enables clients to request specified services like file and
printer access from servers.
NOVELL'S NETWARE
This network operating system is a protocol suite designed based on the XNS
protocol architecture. It provides comprehensive support to most of the
desktop operating systems in the market, including DOS, Windows,
Macintosh, OS/2 and UNIX. Novell also supports the local area networks and
asynchronous wide area communications.

MICROSOFT'S LAN MANAGER

LAN Manager is a network operating system by Microsoft that works as a
server application. It runs under Microsoft OS/2, and was developed in
conjunction with 3Com. The file server may concurrently be used for other
tasks like database services. In other words, the system provides a good
multi-tasking function. It also supports most desktop operating systems like
DOS, Windows and OS/2 clients. Currently, the LAN Manager feature has
been superseded by Microsoft Windows NT Server and most parts of the LAN
Manager are being used in the Windows NT and Windows 2000
4)
Some common services provided by operating system can be listed as follow:
(i) Program Execution
(ii) Handling Input/output Operations
(iii) Manipulation of File System
(iv) Error Detection and Handling
(v) Resource Allocation
(vi) Accounting
(vii) Information and Resource Protection

(i) Program Execution

The Operating System is responsible for executing various programs whether
user programs or system programs that is, special programs required for the
machine functioning.

(ii) Handling Input/output Operations

The Operating System is responsible for handling various type of inputs ( For
example, input from keyboard, input from mouse etc.) and various types of
outputs in the appropriate manner.

For instance, if the input is coming from mouse, then it requires different
type of handling as compared to input coming from keyboard. Similarly, if an
output targeted for printer, then it requires different type of handling as
compared to output targeted for monitor.

(iii) Manipulation of File System

This task involves the making of decisions regarding the storage of files that
is, where (whether on floppy disk or hard disk etc.) and how a particular file
is to be stored.

(iv) Error Detection and Handling

The Operating System is also responsible for detecting any type of error that
occurs and then properly handling it.

(v) Resource Allocation

This task aims at proper use of resources available. For example, if multiple
files are to be printed then how and in which order this task will take place?
will be decided by the operating system.

(vi) Accounting
The Operating System keeps an account of what type of functioning is taking
place and what type of errors have occurred.

(vii) Information and Resource Protection

The Operating System is responsible for ensuring that the information and
resources available on machine are used in the correct way. The operating
system foils the attempts to use them incorrectly.

All these services are ensured by the functions provided b an operating

system. The functions offered by different operating system differ from one

operating system to another, but more or less they provide the same
services. These OS (Operating System) functions are offered for the
convenience of the programmer, to make the programming task easier.