UNIX and most other modern network
operating systems support advanced features such as:
- Multiuser capability
- Multitasking
- Distributed processing
Multiuser capability enables more than
one user to access the same resources thus providing support for many
users simultaneously. The operating system keeps track of each
resource, such as CPU, RAM, hard disk and printers and allows them to
be shared. Each program or application that runs is a task or process.
Multitasking enables the operating system to keep track of several
processes simultaneously, which allows more than one tool or
application to be used at one time. Distributed processing enables the
use of resources across the network. For instance, a user may be
sitting at their workstation and be able to access files,
applications, and resources on the hard disk of another computer or a
printer located on a remote part of the network.
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