Final answer:
The ATM belongs to soft real-time systems, which are characterized by meeting deadlines but allowing occasional delays. Soft real-time systems have time constraints, but missing them by a small margin is acceptable. In contrast, hard real-time systems have strict time constraints, and missing deadlines can have severe consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ATM belongs to the soft real-time systems category. Soft real-time systems are those in which meeting the deadline is important, but missing it occasionally is acceptable. In the case of ATMs, there is a time constraint for performing transactions, but a slight delay can be tolerated without causing major issues.
For example, if a customer withdraws cash from an ATM, the transaction needs to be processed within a reasonable time frame. However, if there is a small delay, such as a few seconds, it will not have a significant impact on the system or the user.
On the other hand, hard real-time systems have strict time constraints, and missing a deadline can have severe consequences. These systems are often used in critical applications such as aerospace, where precise timing is crucial for safety.