Is linux a time-sharing operating system?

Linux is a time-sharing operating system. The time-sharing operating system is referred to as TSOS. The full English name is "Time-sharing Operating System"; it enables a computer to serve several, dozens or even hundreds of users at the same time. An operating system is called a time-sharing operating system, and Linux is a POSIX-based multi-user, multi-tasking operating system that supports multi-threading and multi-CPU.

#The operating environment of this tutorial: linux5.9.8 system, Dell G3 computer.

Is Linux a time-sharing operating system?

The µC/OS, FreeRTOS, RT-Thread, and ThreadX we usually share are all real-time operating systems (RTOS). Then some readers asked: What is time-sharing operation? System, is Linux a real-time operating system?

Real-time operating system (RTOS)

RTOS, the full English name is Real Time Operating System, that is, real-time operating system.

1. Definition of real-time operating system
Real-time operating system (RTOS) refers to the ability to accept and process at a fast enough speed when external events or data are generated. The result can control the production process or respond quickly to the processing system within a specified time, and control the operating system that all real-time tasks run in a coordinated manner.

Therefore, providing timely response and high reliability are its main features.

Real-time operating systems are divided into hard real-time and soft real-time. Hard real-time requires that operations must be completed within a specified time, which is guaranteed during the design of the operating system.

Soft real-time only needs to complete the operation as quickly as possible according to the priority of the task. The operating system we usually use can become a real-time operating system after certain changes.

A real-time operating system is an operating system that guarantees the completion of specific functions within a certain time limit. For example, an operating system could be designed to ensure that a robot on a production line can access an object. In a "hard" real-time operating system, if the calculations to make the object reachable cannot be completed within the allowed time, the operating system will terminate with an error.

In a "soft" real-time operating system, the production line can still continue to work, but the output of the product will be slowed down because the product cannot arrive within the allowed time, which causes the robot to have a short period of non-production. Some real-time operating systems are designed for specific applications, others are general-purpose.

Some general-purpose operating systems call themselves real-time operating systems. But to some extent, most general-purpose operating systems, such as Microsoft's Windows NT or IBM's OS/390, have real-time system characteristics. That is to say, Even if an operating system is not strictly a real-time system, they can solve some real-time application problems.

2. Characteristics of real-time operating system
1)Multi-tasking;
2)Thread priority
3)Multiple interrupt levels

Small embedded operating systems often require a real-time operating system, and the kernel must meet the requirements of a real-time operating system.

3. Related concepts of real-time operating system
(1) Basic concepts
Critical section of code: refers to processing time Indivisible code. Once this part of the code starts executing, interrupts are not allowed;

Resources:Any entity occupied by the task;

Shared resources: Resources that can be used by more than one task;

Task: Also called a thread, it is a simple program. Each task is given a certain priority, has its own set of CPU registers and its own stack space. Typically, each task is an infinite loop, and each task is in the following five states: sleeping state, ready state, running state, suspended state, and interrupted state;

Task switching: Save the current state of the running task (all contents in the CPU register) in the task's own stack area, and then reload the current state of the next task to be run from the stack of the task. CPU registers and start running the next task;

Kernel: is responsible for managing each task, allocating CPU time to each task, and responsible for communication between tasks. Divided into non-preemptible cores and preemptible cores;

Scheduling: One of the main responsibilities of the kernel is to decide which task is its turn to run. Generally based on the priority scheduling method;

(2) Issues about priority
Task priority: is divided into priorities that cannot be changed Static priority and dynamic priority with changeable priority;

Priority Inversion: The priority inversion problem is the most common problem in real-time systems. The allocation of shared resources can cause low-priority tasks to run first and high-priority tasks to run later. The solution is to use a "priority inheritance" algorithm to temporarily change task priorities to curb priority inversion.

(3) Mutual exclusion
Although the shared data area simplifies the exchange of information between tasks, the exclusivity of each task must be guaranteed when processing shared data. . The general methods to satisfy mutual exclusion conditions include: turning off interrupts, using test and set instructions (TAS), prohibiting task switching, and using semaphores.

Because the significance of using a real-time operating system is to be able to handle various unexpected events in a timely manner, that is, to handle various interrupts, the most important and representative performance index parameters for measuring the embedded real-time operating system are It should undoubtedly be the interrupt response time. Interrupt response time is usually defined as:

Interrupt response time = interrupt delay time, the time to save the CPU state, the execution time of the ISR of the kernel to enter the function.

Interrupt delay time = MAX (maximum time to turn off interrupts, maximum instruction time) The time to start executing the first instruction of the ISR.

Time-sharing operating system (TSOS)

TSOS, the full English name is Time-sharing Operating System, that is, time-sharing operating system.

An operating system that enables a computer to serve several, dozens or even hundreds of users at the same time is called a time-sharing operating system. By connecting the computer to many end users, the time-sharing operating system switches the system processor time and memory space to the programs of each end user in turn at certain intervals.

Because the time interval is short, each user feels as if he has the computer exclusively. The characteristic of time-sharing operating system is that it can effectively increase resource usage. For example, UNIX systems use deprived dynamic priority CPU scheduling to effectively support time-sharing operations.

The time-sharing system is a new type of OS formed to meet user needs. There is a completely different performance difference between it and the multi-channel batch processing system. The needs of users are specifically reflected in the following aspects: Human-computer interaction Shared hosting facilitates users to get on the computer

1. The basic idea of ​​time-sharing system
Time slice: divides the computer's system resources (especially CPU time) into time. Each time period is called a time slice, and each user takes turns using the time slice.

Time-sharing technology: Divide the running time of the processor into very short time slices, and allocate the processor to each online job in turn according to the time slice.

Time-sharing operating system: is an online multi-user interactive operating system. Generally, time slice rotation is used to enable one computer to serve multiple terminals. Ensure fast enough response time for each user and provide interactive session capabilities.

Design goals: Respond to user requests in a timely manner and maximize the utilization of system resources where possible.

Suitable for office automation, teaching and transaction processing and other occasions that require human-computer communication.

2. Working method
A host is connected to several terminals; each terminal is used by a user; interactively makes command requests to the system; the system Accept commands from each user; use time slice rotation to process service requests; and display results to users on the terminal interactively; users issue next commands based on the results of the previous step

Time-sharing system implementation The key issue in: timely reception. Deal with it promptly.

3. Features
Interactivity: Users engage in human-computer dialogue with the system.
Multiplexity: Multiple users use the same CPU on their respective terminals at the same time.
Independence: Users can operate independently of each other without interfering with or confusing each other.
Timeliness: Users can get timely answers from the system in a short time.
Factors that affect the response time: the number of terminals, the size of the time slice, the amount of information exchange, and the speed of information exchange.

Difference

##RTOS and TSOS each have their own characteristics, RTOS is generally used for relatively low-speed MCUs, such as motion control and key input Systems that require real-time processing for other actions generally require ms-level or even us-level responses.

Time sharing: Now popular PCs and servers all adopt this operating mode, which divides the CPU operation into several time slices to handle different computing requests.

Real-time: Generally used on microcontrollers, such as the up and down control of elevators, where real-time processing is required for actions such as button presses.

at last

Through the above analysis, it can be clear that linux is a time-sharing system, but it can be changed to real-time. For example: ucLinux is a real-time system modified from linux. As for their differences, you can quote from Baidu Similar answer:

The time-sharing system is a system that can serve two or more accounts at the same time!

A real-time system is an operating system that can respond to instructions immediately! Microsoft’s common systems can’t! And it’s still dead! The operating system in a fighter jet is a real-time system. Think about it, if the computer in the fighter jet responds to the pilot's last command or crashes when someone else is fighting, who would dare to fly the plane?

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