In operating system history, what is meant by a batch operating system and how does it process jobs submitted by users?

Introduction / Context:
Before interactive time sharing systems became common, many computers operated in batch mode. Users submitted jobs, often on punched cards or magnetic tape, and the system processed these jobs in groups called batches. Understanding the basic idea of a batch operating system is important for appreciating the evolution from early computing environments to modern interactive and real time systems.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Users prepare jobs that include programs and input data.

• Jobs are submitted to the computer operator or to a job queue.

• There is little or no interaction with the job while it is executing.

• The system runs these jobs sequentially or with simple multiprogramming.

Concept / Approach:
A batch operating system groups similar jobs together into batches and processes each batch one job at a time, usually without user interaction during execution. The system reads a job control language stream, sets up the required program and data, runs it, collects the output and then proceeds to the next job. Users typically submit jobs in advance and receive results later. The correct option must describe this batch processing behavior and emphasize the minimal interactive control during job execution.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that in a batch system, users do not directly control the CPU while their job is running. Step 2: The operating system or operator collects jobs into a batch, often organized by similar resource requirements. Step 3: The system processes each job in the batch sequentially or with limited multiprogramming and automatically moves on to the next job when one finishes. Step 4: Compare each option and choose the one that clearly states that jobs are collected into batches and processed with little or no interactive user intervention.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think about a classic mainframe environment where programmers deliver decks of punched cards to an operator. The operator loads these into the job queue, and the batch operating system processes each job, producing printouts or other outputs. The programmers only see the results after the entire job finishes; they cannot interactively debug or control it during execution. This picture matches the description in the correct option and differs from interactive or real time systems.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because a system that allows only a single interactive job at a time is closer to a simple single user system rather than a batch operating system that queues many jobs. Option C is wrong because batch systems are not primarily graphical or real time; they are oriented around offline job processing. Option D is wrong because batch operating systems were historically used on mainframes and large computers, not exclusively on mobile devices.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse batch systems with time sharing systems because both can handle multiple jobs. The key difference is the level of interaction; batch systems provide almost none during execution, while time sharing systems allow users to interact with jobs in real time. Another pitfall is to think that batch processing is obsolete; in reality, modern systems still run batch jobs for tasks such as nightly data processing and report generation, even though the underlying operating system may also support interactive use.

Final Answer:
Thus, a batch operating system is one that collects jobs into batches and runs them one after another with little or no interactive user intervention.