Basic categories of operating systems Which pair names two fundamental historical categories of operating systems?

Introduction / Context:
Operating systems evolved from early batch processors, which ran jobs without user interaction, to time sharing systems that enabled multiple users to interact concurrently. Recognizing these categories helps place modern multitasking and interactive systems in historical context.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Batch systems collect jobs and process them without direct interaction.
• Time sharing systems slice CPU time among users for interactivity.
• Terminology varies, but time sharing is the canonical historical counterpart to batch.

Concept / Approach:

Batch versus time sharing emphasizes the presence or absence of interactive, preemptive scheduling with rapid context switches. Interactive is a broader term that includes time sharing; however, the historically precise pairing is batch and time sharing as two foundational modes of operation.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Classic OS texts describe the evolution from batch to multiprogramming to time sharing. The term time sharing captures CPU preemption and user terminals.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

a and c use nonstandard category names. d is imprecise; interactive encompasses time sharing but is not the canonical paired term in most curricula.

Common Pitfalls:

Equating time sharing strictly with modern desktop multitasking; forgetting that batch systems remain relevant for high throughput job processing.

Final Answer:

Batch and timesharing.