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Difference between Batch Operating System and Multiprogramming Operating System

In this article, you will learn about the difference between the batch operating system and the multiprogramming operating system. But before discussing the differences, you must know about the batch and multiprogramming operating systems.

What is Batch Operating System?

Batch OS was very famous in the 1970s. The tasks were completed using batch processing. A mainframe was utilized in the past, which was a single computer. Batch OS users do not interact directly with the computer system. Each user prepares their task on offline devices, such as a punch card, and submits it to the system user. Jobs with comparable needs are aggregated and executed as a group to expedite processing. After the programmers have handed over their programs to the operator, the programs with similar requirements are grouped together in batches.

The batch operating system grouped jobs that perform similar functions. These job groups are processed as a batch and executed simultaneously. This operating system allows a system to execute the following batch processing tasks:

1. A job is a single unit made up of a specified series of data, programs, and commands.
2. They are processed in the order that they are received, i.e., first come, first served.
3. These jobs are stored in memory and run without the requirement for manual intervention.
4. When a job is completed successfully, the operating system releases memory.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Batch Operating System

There are various advantages and disadvantages of the Batch Operating System. Some of them are as follows:

Advantages

There are various advantages of the Batch Operating System. Some of them are as follows:

1. Multiple users may share batch operating systems.
2. When a job fails for the first time, it must be scheduled for completion, which could take a long time.
3. Computer operators must fully understand batch operating systems.
4. No direct interaction exists between the computer and the user.
5. When a task enters an infinite loop, all other jobs are forced to wait for an indefinite time.

Disadvantages

There are various disadvantages of the Batch Operating System. Some of them are as follows:

1. It can be expensive at times.
2. The batch system is difficult to troubleshoot.
3. If a job fails, it must be scheduled for completion, which can take a long time.
4. If a task goes into an infinite loop, subsequent jobs will have to wait for an indeterminate amount of time.

What is Multiprogramming Operating System?

An operating system that allows running multiple programs on a single CPU is known as a multiprogramming OS. When a program in a multiprogramming OS has to wait for an I/O transfer, other programs use the CPU and other resources.

One of the main goals of a multiprogramming OS is to manage all of the system’s resources. Multiprogramming is the main concept used by multiprogramming systems. The file system, memory, CPUs, input and output, and other resources are instances of these resources.

As a result, multiprogramming OS is designed to store and process several programs simultaneously. The routines are responsible for resource management and are made accessible to the operating system’s core functions.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Multiprogramming Operating System

There are various advantages and disadvantages of the Batch Operating System. Some of them are as follows:

Advantages

1. Multiprogramming operating systems allow several users to access the computer at the same time.
2. Multiprogramming OS is better at dealing with apps in which several jobs are to be executed.
3. It increases a computer’s total job throughput.
4. Jobs that require a short amount of CPU time are completed faster than those that demand a big amount of CPU time.
5. The processor is used most of the time and is rarely idle unless there are no tasks to run.
6. It reduces the total read time required to complete a task.

Disadvantages

1. Multiprogramming OS is not an easy task due to the complexity of schedule handling.
2. Memory management should be very efficient.
3. Multiprogramming makes it difficult to maintain track of a large number of processes.
4. There can’t be any interaction between the software and the user while it’s running.
5. Multiprogramming OS has to use a processing schedule.

Key differences between the Batch and Multiprogramming Operating System

Here, you will learn the key differences between Batch and Multiprogramming operating systems. Some of the key differences between Batch and Multiprogramming operating systems are as follows:

1. Batch OS is the grouping of various processing jobs that are run one after another by a system without user input. In contrast, multiprogramming OS is the ability of an OS to run multiple programs on a single processor simultaneously.
2. Batch processing allows numerous applications to run simultaneously with little human intervention. On the other hand, Multiprogramming OS allows numerous applications to run on a single processor system. Furthermore, these two methods allow for resource sharing.
3. Another difference between batch processing and multiprogramming OS is speed. Batch processing is slower than multiprogramming OS.
4. In batch processing, the CPU may remain idle. On the other hand, in multiprogramming, the CPU must always complete a task.
5. Batch processing reduces human interactions and costs. On the other hand, Multiprogramming OS maximizes CPU utilization.

Head-to-head Comparison between the Batch and Multiprogramming Operating System

Here, you will learn the head-to-head comparison between the Batch and Multiprogramming Operating Systems. Some of the head-to-head comparisons between Batch and Multiprogramming Operating Systems are as follows:

Batch Operating System	Multiprogramming Operating System
The grouping of numerous processing jobs that are done one after the other by a system without user input is known as batch processing.	An OS can run numerous programs at the same time on a single CPU.
Batch processing is slower than multiprogramming OS.	It is faster than the Batch operating system.
It allows various applications to run simultaneously with little human intervention.	It allows various apps to run on a single processor system.
Batch processing reduces human interactions and costs.	Multiprogramming OS maximizes CPU utilization.
In batch processing, the CPU may remain idle.	In multiprogramming, the CPU must always complete a task.

Conclusion

A computer system can do tasks in two ways: batch processing and multiprogramming. The main distinction between batch processing and multiprogramming OS is that batch processing allows for executing multiple programs with minimal human intervention. In contrast, Multiprogramming OS permits numerous programs to operate on a single processing system. Additionally, both of these systems allow for resource sharing.

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