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The Operating System, also known as the OS, is an essential part of the computer as all programs run on the OS. An operating system is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that enables us to interact with the computer hardware and perform our tasks. It helps us manage our system and lets us do some basic tasks and run special software on the computer system like office, play videos, music, etc. All the software runs on the operating system.
The operating system was first developed in the 1950s. The most widely used operating systems on laptops and PCs are Windows, Linux and macOS. OS is also used in mobiles like Android and iOS. Operating systems come in two different architectures: 32-bit and 64-bit.
32-Bit Operating System
It allows 32 bits of data processing only.
All 32-bit applications run on 32-bit OS.
All operating systems come with the 32-bit variant as older computers don’t support 64-bit OS.
32-bit operating systems are limited to low RAM and storage as support is low.
64-Bit Operating System
It allows 32-bit and 64-bit data processing.
Both types of software can run on the system – 32-bit or 64-bit.
64-bit operating systems are available in the market because newer PCs come with 64-bit motherboards.
A 64-bit operating system can support much more storage than a 32-bit operating system.
Functions of Operating Systems
An operating system performs many different functions. Some of the basic functions done by OS are given below:
Process management – OS performs process management so all the tasks can be completed efficiently.
Memory management – Memory management is another essential function of the OS. The OS does the memory allocation to every task on the CPU so the task can be done efficiently.
Device management – The device manager on the OS keeps track of all the available devices and provides the facility to select a device for the given task to use that device.
I/O manager – The OS also does input and output management as the OS does all the processes during Input and Output of the data.
Security – Nowadays, OS comes with an inbuilt security feature that helps the user protect the system from unwanted viruses and bugs by scanning the system for the virus and unwanted files.
Translation – The system can’t understand all the instructions provided by us because the computer only understands binary language, and the OS makes the command interpretation for the system and vice-versa.
Advantages of Operating Systems
Easy to use as it comes with GUI
Acts as an intermediate to translate instructions for pc and user
Enables us to run programs
Enables multitasking by memory management and process management
Comes with many features like a clock, calendar, to-do lists, etc., making daily life easy for the user
Disadvantages of Operating Systems
If any issues occur in the OS, you may lose all the important, necessary files because of a system crash.
Some of the operating systems are very expensive.
It’s not always secure. Sometimes we have to buy antivirus for additional security of our system and files.
An operating system brings powerful benefits to computer software development and usage. Without an operating system, we have to create a User Interface for every software we use, and comprehensive codes will be needed to manage every task and software that we use.
Instead of doing all this, we can create a simple GUI or software that provides all these facilities in one place. This is where an operating system comes in.
Commonly Used Operating Systems
Microsoft Windows
In the 1980s, the Windows operating system was created by Microsoft. To date, many different versions of windows have been launched with new features and updates. The latest version is Windows 11, released in 2021.
macOS
macOS, previously called OS X, is another operating system used in Apple devices and is known for its best security features. It’s very similar to windows in terms of UI, but its features and usage are different.
Linux
It is an open-source OX primarily used by hackers and coders because it doesn’t have any restrictions on the usage of different software. It also has many variants such as Linux Fedora, Kali Linux, etc.
Operating Systems for Mobile Devices
Android
It is an operating system developed by Google. It is based on Linux and was initially developed for touch screen mobiles, but nowadays, it can also be used on PCs and tablets. Currently, Google is working on the latest version of Android, Android 13.
iOS
The iOS, developed by Apple, is a successor of the iPhone OS. You will only find this on Apple iPhones or iPads. It is best known for its security features.
Conclusion
The Operating System is a very important part of a computer system as it acts as the soul of a computer because if a computer doesn’t have an OS, the computer will just be a connection of some devices or no use. Without an OS, none of the software can run or do any task on our computer. All the tasks and software run with the help of an OS only.An operating system brings powerful benefits to computer software development and usage. Without an operating system, we have to create a User Interface for every software we use, and comprehensive codes will be needed to manage every task and software that we use. The Windows operating system was created by Microsoft. To date, many different versions of windows have been launched with new features and updates. The latest version is Windows 11, released in 2021.
