BCA / B.Tech 13 min read

Real-Time System in Operating System

Real-Time System in Operating System:


A Real-Time System is a type of computer system designed to complete a specific task within a predetermined time frame. Its main purpose is to ensure that time-critical tasks are completed without any delay. This system is especially used in applications where timeliness is extremely important, such as aircraft control, health equipment, industrial automation, etc.

Definition of a Real-Time System:

A real-time system is a system designed to complete all tasks within a specific deadline. Compliance with time is mandatory in this system, and violating the time limit can negatively impact the system's functionality or safety.

Types of Real-Time Systems:

  • Hard Real-Time System: Time limits are strictly enforced. Failure to meet a deadline can result in system failure with severe consequences (e.g., air traffic control, heart pacemakers).
  • Soft Real-Time System: Time limits are not as strict. A slight violation of the deadline does not have a severe impact on the system (e.g., multimedia streaming, video conferencing).
  • Firm Real-Time System: A middle ground between hard and soft. The task must be completed within the deadline, but if the deadline is missed, the result of the task is useless, though the system does not fail (e.g., online booking systems).

Components of a Real-Time System:

  • Real-Time Clock: Monitors the timing of tasks.
  • Task Scheduler: Determines which task to execute and when, based on priorities.
  • Interpreter and Controller: Interprets signals and data and ensures instructions are followed correctly.
  • Data Flow Management: Manages the continuous flow of data.

Applications of Real-Time Systems:

  • Industrial Automation.
  • Medical Devices.
  • Aviation Systems.
  • Telecommunication.
  • Automobile Industry.
  • Defense Systems.

Advantages of Real-Time Systems:

  • Timely Response.
  • Reliability.
  • Better Efficiency.
  • High Performance.
  • Safety.

Challenges of Real-Time Systems:

  • Complexity in Design.
  • High Cost.
  • Resource Management.
  • Software Updates and Maintenance.

In this Chapter

Real-Time System in Operating System
Distributed System in Operating System
System Calls in Operating System
System Programs in Operating System
Structure of an Operating System
Layered Design of an Operating System Structure
UNIX in Operating System
Virtual Machine in Operating System
Kernel-Based Operating System
Process Concept in Operating System
Interacting Processes in Operating System
Threads in Operating System
Fundamentals of Scheduling in Operating System
Scheduling Criteria in Operating System
Long, Medium, and Short-Term Scheduling
Scheduling Algorithms in Operating System
Structure of a Concurrent System
Critical Region in Operating System
Critical Section in Operating System
Inter-process Communication (IPC) in Operating System
Monitors in Operating System
Semaphores in Operating System
Semaphore Implementation & Uses in Operating System
Logical and Physical Address in Operating System
Swapping in Operating System
Contiguous Allocation in Operating System
Segmentation in Operating System
Paging in Operating System
Virtual Memory using Segmentation in Operating System
Interprocess Communication Protocol in Operating System
Network Operating System
Design Issues in Distributed File System
Network Structure in Operating System
Structure of a Distributed System
File System and Coordination in Operating System
History of Linux in Operating System
Linux Commands
Programmer Interface & File Manipulation in Linux
Process Control in Linux
Kernel & Signals in Linux
File System in Linux
Blocks and Inodes in Linux
System Editors in Linux
Character Transliteration in Linux
The `ed` Line Editor in Linux
The `vi` Editor and Its Commands
Shell Scripting in Linux
Looping & Decision Making in Linux Shell Scripting
Variables & File Name Expansion in Linux
Arrays in Linux Shell Scripting
Subprograms (Functions) in Linux Shell Scripting
C Interface with Linux
Simple Shell Programs in Linux
BCA Part-1 | Operating Systems | Semester-I | MDSU Exam Paper 2023 (Held in 2024)
What is an Operating System (OS)
Operating System (OS) All Important Questions and Answers in English (MDSU)
BCA || Operating System 2025 Paper || MDSU Exam Paper
BCA | OS(Operating System) 2023 Paper | MDSU Exam Paper
Types of Operating Systems
Goals of an Operating System
Operations of an Operating System
Resource Allocation & Functions in an Operating System
Classes of Operating System
Batch Processing in Operating System
Multiprocessing in Operating System
Time-Sharing in Operating System