All about Operating System
(OS) are an integral part of how we interact with computers and devices. They manage hardware resources and provide services for applications and programs. Selecting the right OS impacts performance, security, compatibility and the overall user experience. This guide takes a deep dive into the key functions of an OS, different types available, major market players and tips for choosing the best one for your needs.
What is an Operating System and Why Do You Need One?
An operating system acts as an intermediary between the user and computer hardware. It carries out essential tasks, including:
- Memory allocation
- Managing files and folders
- Allowing hardware and applications to communicate via common interfaces/protocols
- Handling peripheral devices connected to the computer
- Establishing a user interface
Without an OS, you wouldn’t be able to store data, run programs or interact with your devices. The OS makes computing possible by abstracting away complex hardware details so users and applications don’t need to understand specifics chips, graphics cards etc.
Main Functions of an Operating System
The core functions of an OS include:
- Process management: Creates processes, schedules resources between processes and terminates them when needed. This enables multitasking.
- Memory management: Allocates memory space as requested by applications and optimizes use for smooth computing
- File management Allows accessing, updating and deleting files and folders in storage devices
- Device Management: Enables interaction with hardware devices via drivers and common interfaces
- Security: Sets user accounts, permissions, encryption protocols and security measures
- Command interpretation: Parses and interprets typed commands
- Networking: Facilitates network connectivity and communication protocols
- Job accounting: Logs resource consumption statistics for tasks/users
Skilled handling of these tasks creates a seamless user experience and facilitates using a computer system productively.
Types of Operating Systems
Operating systems are broadly classified based on their usage scenarios, structure and licensing models:
Usage Scenarios
- Desktop OS: For personal computers e.g. Windows, macOS and Linux
- Mobile OS: For smartphones and tablets e.g. Android and iOS
- Server OS: For servers and mainframes e.g. Windows Server and Linux distros
- Embedded OS: For embedded devices/electronics e.g. VxWorks, FreeRTOS
- Gaming consoles OS: Custom OS for consoles e.g. Switch OS, Xbox OS
Structure
- Monolithic: Entire OS works as a single system within one structure
- Microkernel: Core functionalities only in kernel, extensions in user space
- Hybrid: Mix of monolithic and microkernel attributes
- Exokernel: Minimal abilities in kernel, leaves hardware access to apps
Licensing
- Proprietary/Closed source: Source code is not revealed or modifiable. Users purchase license to use the OS e.g. Windows
- Open Source: Source code accessible for free use, study and modification within guidelines e.g. Linux
- Freeware: No license fee but code remains proprietary e.g. Android
Major Desktop Operating Systems
The desktop OS market globally is dominated by Microsoft Windows, with macOS and Linux having smaller user bases.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows leads the market with around 73% share currently. Regular new versions with enhanced features maintain dominance.
- Interface: Graphical User Interface (GUI) with desktop metaphor for visual interaction
- Pros: Wide app support, games library and hardware compatibility
- Cons: Vulnerable to viruses, resource heavy
Overall, Windows provides a familiar, easy to use desktop OS experience for basic to advanced computer users.
MacOS
Apple’s elegant macOS offers a refined computing experience exclusively for Mac computers.
- Interface: GUI tailored for MacBook’s keyboard/trackpad input
- Pros: Tight integration for Apple devices, user-friendly, secure
- Cons: Works only on Apple devices, limited gaming support
For Apple loyalists invested in the wider device ecosystem, macOS is appealing for its premium hardware-software optimization.
Linux
Linux is a popular open source operating system kernel that powers various UNIX-like OS distributions.
- Interface: Various GUIs like GNOME, KDE available
- Pros: High stability, performance, security and customizability
- Cons: Steeper learning curve, limited game/software options
Linux flexibility makes it widely used for developers, IT pros, enterprise servers and niche use cases like high performance computing.
Leading Server Operating Systems
Server operating systems enable smooth file storage/sharing, networking, running enterprise apps etc for organizations. Dominant options include:
- Windows Server
- Linux distributions e.g. Red Hat Enterprise Linux
- Unix based like Solaris, HP-UX
For mission critical business systems, certified server software offers advanced security, scalability and reliability.
Choosing the Right Operating System
With various types of operating systems serving diverse computing needs, choose one fitting key criteria:
- Usage: Desktop OS for PC or server OS for enterprise systems?
- Compatibility: Hardware, peripheral devices and software supported
- System Resources: Hardware specs like storage space, RAM available
- Budget: Paid license vs free open source vs freeware
- Ease of Use: Interface complexity based on user IT skill level
- Security: Protection against malware, data encryption protocols
- Community Support: Availability of online help resources
Prioritizing these metrics as per your needs simplifies selecting the optimal operating system.
The Future of Operating Systems
Rapid evolution of hardware technology like multiprocessing, artificial intelligence and internet of things is driving new OS innovations for emerging domains:
- More advanced GUIs with predictive actions, voice/touch input
- Specialized real time OS for robotics, smart wearables
- Increased modularity for flexibility to add/remove components
- Enhanced cloud integration for remote management
- Improved sandboxing, containers for robust security
- Cross platform compatibility via progressive web apps
- Leveraging AI for self-optimization, issue diagnosis
As computing becomes ubiquitous across industries, operating systems need to continually upgrade capabilities to effectively harness new devices and breakthroughs.