Operating System - Real Time System and Time Sharing System

1.Real-Time System

Definition:
A Real-Time System (RTS) is an operating system that responds to inputs or events within a strict time constraint. The correctness depends not only on the logical result but also on the time at which the results are produced.

Key Characteristics:

• Deterministic response time

• Often used in embedded systems

• Can be Hard or Soft real-time

Types:

• Hard Real-Time: Missing a deadline is catastrophic (e.g., airbag deployment system)

• Soft Real-Time: Occasional deadline misses are tolerable (e.g., video streaming)

Examples:

• Air traffic control system

• Medical monitoring systems

• Industrial automation

• Missile guidance systems

• Robotics control

2.Time-Sharing System

Definition:
A Time-Sharing System (TSS) is a type of multi-user operating system that allows multiple users to share system resources simultaneously. The CPU time is divided among users in small time slices using techniques like round-robin scheduling.

Key Characteristics:

• User gets the impression of having the computer to themselves

• Efficient use of CPU

• Prioritizes responsiveness over strict timing

Examples:

• Unix/Linux server used by multiple users

• Mainframes in universities

• Remote desktops or cloud shells

• Shared hosting environments