What is an operating system?
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer’s memory and process, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak computer’s language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.
The
operating system’s job
Your computer’s operating system (OS) manages all of
the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time,
there are several different computer programs running at the same time, and
they all need to access your computer’s central processing unit (CPU), memory,
storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each program
gets what it needs.
Types of
operating systems
Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any
computer you buy. Most people use the operating system that comes with their
computer, but it’s possible to upgrade or even change operating systems. The
three most common operating systems for personal computer are Microsoft
Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Modern operating system use graphical user interface,
or GUI (pronounced gooey). A GUT lets you use your mouse to click
icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly
displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text.
Each operating system’s GUI has a different look and feel,
so if you switch to a different operating system it may seem unfamiliar at
first. However, modern operating systems are designed to be easy to use,
and most of the basic principles are the same.
Microsoft
Windows
Microsoft created the Widows operating system in the mide-1980s. They have
been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are windows 11 (2021), Windows 10 (release in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), Windows vista (2007), Windows XP (2001), Windows 98 (1998),
and Windows NT (1993). Windows comes pre-loaded on most new PCs,
which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.
macOS
MacOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating
systems created by Apple. It comes pre-loaded on all Macintosh
computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave (release
in 2018), High Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).
According to Stat Counter Global Stats, macOS users account
for less than 10% of global operating systems–much lower than the
percentage of Windows users (more than 80%). One reasons for this is
that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer
the look and feel of macOS over Windows.
Linus
Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a
family of open-source operating systems, which means they can
be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different
from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be
modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it
is free, and there are many different distributions—or
versions—you can choose from.
According to StatCounter
Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of
global operating systems. However, most servers run Linux
because it's relatively easy to customize.
Operating
systems for mobile devices
The operating systems we've been talking about so far were
designed to run on desktop and laptop computers. Mobile
devices such as phones, tablet computers,
and MP3 players are different from desktop and laptop
computers, so they run operating systems that are designed specifically for
mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple iOS and Google
Android. In the screenshot below, you can see iOS running on an iPad.
Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully featured as those made for desktop and laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all of the same software. However, you can still do a lot of things with them, like watch movies, browse the Web, manage your calendar, and play games.
