What is Multiprogramming OS?
Definition: Multiprogramming operating system has ability to execute multiple programs with using of only one processor machine.
In multi programming operating system, if single program gets to wait for I/O transfer, then other programs are always ready to CPU utilization. Due to this, multiple jobs can share time of its CPU. But, in the multiprogramming operating system, it does not predefined to be execution of their jobs at same time frame.
If, program is in the execution process then it is known as “Process” or “Job” or “Task”. The concurrent executions of programs help to improve performance of system resources utilization as well as improve system throughput than to serial and batch processing system.
Multiprogramming OS Tutorial Headlines
In this section, we will show you all headlines about this entire article; you can check them as your choice; below shown all:
- What is Multiprogramming System
- Working of Multiprogramming System
- Examples of Multiprogramming Operating System
- Types of Multiprogramming Operating Systems
- Difference between Multiprogramming & Multi-tasking
- Advantages of Multiprogramming Operating System
- Disadvantages of Multiprogramming System
- FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What is Multiprogramming Operating System with Example?
- What are Types of Multiprogramming in Operating System?
- What are Functions of Multiprogramming OS?
Let’s Get Started!!
What is Multiprogramming System?
Definition: In the multiprogramming system, one or multiple programs can load into its main memory for getting to execute. It is capable only one program or process to get CPU for executes for their instructions, and other programs wait for getting their turn. Main goal of using of multiprogramming system is overcome issue of under utilization of CPU and primary memory.
Main objective of multiprogramming is to manage entire resources of the system. The primary components of multiprogramming system are command processor, file system, I/O control system, and transient area.
So, multiprogramming operating system‘s design based on this principle that sub segmenting parts of transient area to store individual programs. And then resource management routines get attach with basic function of operating system.
Working of Multiprogramming System
In the multi-programming system, multiple users can perform their tasks concurrently, and it keep store into main memory. CPU has ability to deliver time to several programs while sitting in idle mode, when one is getting engage along with I/O operations.
Multiprogramming Operating System Diagram

When one program is getting to wait for I/O transfer, and another program is always ready to use of processor, and CPU’s time can share into various processes.
When all jobs execute at the same time frame, then it is not known as multiprogramming. But it can define as multiple jobs present for processor and part of other processes execute then segment of another and so on.
Examples of Multiprogramming Operating System
One real life example: User can use MS-Excel, download apps, transfer data from one point to another point, Firefox or Google chrome browser, and more at a same time.
Much application software like as media player, office and most popular browser. On modern web browser, single user can open many website and app at the same time duration by opening on various tabs and windows as needed.
Modern desktop operating systems enabled with multi programming concept, and then single user is capable to operate various programs on this operating system at the same time. For example are Linux distributions, Windows, macOS, and so on.
Other Examples are:
- Microcomputers like as MP/M, XENIX, and ESQview.
- Windows O/S
- UNIX O/S
Types of Multiprogramming Operating Systems
There mainly two types of multiprogramming operating systems; below mentioned each one:
Multitasking Operating System:
Multitasking operating system has ability to execute many programs at a same time. The operating system gets this by swapping every program in and out memory, one simultaneously. Whenever a program get fetch out of memory then it is kept store on the different types of secondary memory until it is required once again.

Multi-tasking examples are: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and more.
Multiuser Operating System:
When an operating system allows too many users to make connection with single system running the same operating system is called the multiuser operating system.
While using on multi user operating system, we are able to operate several programs at once and going out a couple of tasks simultaneously. The main objective for designing a multi-user operating system is that it lets to use batch processing system and time sharing over the mainframe computer.
Multi-user operating system is mostly using in enlarge organization, campus and universities, public sector and so on. With using of multiuser OS, you are going to exchange files or data, and several hardware components such as printer, plotter, and hard drives. Every user grabs a short period of CPU time for this.

Multiuser OS examples are: Windows 2000, Ubuntu, Mac OS, Linux, Unix, and more.
Difference between Multiprogramming & Multi-tasking
There are few differences in between multiprogramming and multitasking concept; below shown all:
Multiprogramming:
- Approach of context switching is implemented.
- Multi-programming allows enhancing CPU utilization by using jobs
- To decrease the CPU idle time for longer time
- Both techniques are using single CPU
Multi-Tasking:
- Approach of context switching and time sharing is implemented
- Multi-tasking also allows enhancing CPU utilization as well as increasing the responsiveness.
- To expend the CPU utilization concept by enhancing responsiveness time sharing.
- Both techniques are using single CPU
Advantages of Multiprogramming Operating System
There are various benefits of multiprogramming operating system; below explain
- To increase CPU utilization and it never gets idle.
- Resources utilize smartly.
- Less response time
- Short time jobs are fastest compare to long time jobs.
- Multiple users can use multiprogramming system at once.
- It can help to execute multiple tasks in single application at same time duration.
- It can help to improve turnaround time for short jobs.
- It reduces total read time that requires to execute a job.
- Multiprogramming system helps to optimize total job throughput of computer.
- Multiprogramming system can monitor fastest as entire tasks run in parallel.
Disadvantages of Multiprogramming System
Here, few limitations of multiprogramming operating system; such as –
- Needing of CPU scheduling.
- Memory management is required because all types of jobs are stored in the main memory.
- If, it contains massive load of jobs then its long time jobs have to need long waiting time.
- Harder task is to manage of all processes and jobs.
- It is highly complex and sophisticated.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is Multiprogramming Operating System with Example?
Multiprograming OS lets you to run many tasks on Same computer system, simentesly. For example: Windows O/S, UNIX O/S, Microcomputers such as XENIX, MP/M, and ESQview.
What are The Types of Multiprogramming in Operating System?
There are two kinds of multiprogramming OS like as Multitasking Operating System and Multiuser Operating System. Above in this post, it explained properly; you can read them.
What are Functions of Multiprogramming OS?
The main function of multiprogramming OS is to executes multiple programs by using single processor machine and enhance the CPU utilization.
Wrapping Up
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