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In Computers and Technology / High School | 2025-07-08

Which operating system is used by devices such as PDAs, cash registers, and fuel pumps? A. A network operating system. B. An embedded operating system. C. A stand-alone operating system. D. A mobile operating system.

Asked by scully4930

Answer (1)

The type of operating system used by devices such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), cash registers, and fuel pumps is typically an Embedded Operating System.
An embedded operating system is specifically designed to manage and control hardware in these devices, which have specific functions or purposes and often operate in real-time. These systems are optimized for the particular needs of the device and are usually integrated into its hardware.
Some features of embedded operating systems include:

Efficiency : These systems are designed to run on low-power devices with limited processing power and memory.

Specific Functionality : They are tailored to execute a specified range of tasks, ensuring reliability and performance.

Real-Time Operation : Many embedded systems are required to perform tasks at precise times or respond quickly to events, making real-time capability important.

Compactness : Given their deployment on devices with limited resources, embedded operating systems are often reduced in size and complexity compared to general-purpose operating systems.


In contrast, options A, C, and D refer to different categories of operating systems:

Network Operating System (Option A) is designed to manage network resources and support data exchange between computers.
Stand-Alone Operating System (Option C) refers to full-featured operating systems for personal computers like Windows and macOS.
Mobile Operating System (Option D) is optimized for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, such as iOS and Android.

Therefore, the correct choice for devices like PDAs, cash registers, and fuel pumps is B. An embedded operating system .

Answered by AvaCharlotteMiller | 2025-07-20