Operating Systems: Definition, Utilities and Types - Detailed Guide

When you buy a device it enjoys services, processes and applications that are organized in its software, it also contains settings and a set of specific functions that are performed through it, all this works as a machinery that together makes the device work, this file and programming model is referred to as an operating system.

What is an operating system?

Each functional device has a way of working and organizing this refers to the software that directs and coordinates the processes and functions between the applications used by the user, these regulate and order the processes, the accesses that the device has depending on its operating system, the most used are Windows, Linux, Mac and DOS.

What are current operating systems for?

The purpose of all operating systems today is to facilitate the use of computers . That is, current operating systems are used so that each user can use the hardware that completes the equipment via software in the easiest and fastest way possible.

The most used operating systems

windows

Perhaps the best known and used by a wide variety of manufacturers, Windows was the operating system par excellence, born from the ideas and efforts of Bill Gates, Windows receives the user with ease and a variety of functions and features that distinguish it from other operating systems, from its welcoming design to its functionality and so simple and easy accessibility.

Windows has a large number of versions that have been released and evolved over the years, its most recent version Windows 10 was launched in 2014 and since then it is currently the most used and installed operating system on computers and laptops, being so within days of its launch, 75 million devices had Windows 10 officially installed.

Unix

It is a name used to refer to unix-like operating systems, which have le features main  to be open source, multiplatform and which is also multitasking, which means that it can be used and programmed to perform specific tasks that the user wishes to configure. Among the most noteworthy we find GNU an open source operating system being a combined project with Linux.

Mac OS

MacOs has many versions and is another of the most popular systems used and designed for Macintosh, this was introduced on the market in 1984 for computers at that time, the first version for desktop computers was released in the early 2000s being a success, naming their versions after felines and animals of this species, implying the perspective given by the operating system.

Due

It is a set of computer operating systems for personal use, it was used for use in IBM PC computers that they had 16-bit processors, IBM PCs were launched on the market in the early 1981s in XNUMX by Don Estridge and William C. Lowe with the idea of ​​using personal computers and that they were for everyday use.

Characteristics and functioning of operating systems

When we talk about operating systems we refer to those programs that allow us to manage the hard disk memory . This is so that the operating system can provide optimal operation on the computer. 

Among most important features of operating systems there are: Their ability to constantly update in order to keep order of all data and in this way the equipment can work quickly. Among the most notable features it should also be mentioned that the operating system manages the hardware and manages network communications.

This means that the main function of the operating system is to make the equipment work by recognizing the hardware, since it is part of the software, making a perfect complement between equipment and system.

The operating system is the soul of a computer, thus serving the hardware software and being accessible to the user. It has functions, within these the main ones are to function and work as an administrator of the hardware and software resources within the system.

In other words, it directs the functionality of the computer or device in addition to taking care of the hardware operation in so that applications do not have to deal with all the aspects and functions that a process entails.

Inside the hardware we find the software, this is referred to as a set of instructions or direct guides that a device must follow, i.e. all those instructions and indications that refer to what it must do and how to do it. Software generalizes in form to everything that is immaterial on a device, that which cannot be touched, as, to put it in a sense, it refers to operating systems or applications.

Operating system BIOS

Refers to the basic input and output system, the BIOS is a program that pre-installed on computers and devices normally running Windows acts as the mode used by the computer to boot.

The CPU enters the BIOS even before the operating system is processed after the BIOS checks and confirms all its connections and locates the devices, the BIOS loads the operating system into the computer's memory and completes the boot process.

List of current operating systems

Over time, technology has constantly evolved by leaps and bounds. This means that today we will find one large variety of operating systems . 

Those that cannot be omitted to mention and of which one must have knowledge since today they are the most used are: all versions of Microsoft Windows, followed by Mac / iOS, Linux, Unix, Solaris, Google Chrome OS and obviously the Android operating system system.

Types of operating systems and their characteristics

Each operating system will be used and implemented to give the correct use and correct operation of the equipment. In other words, every computer will work correctly with the operating system that corresponds to it and with which it was designed to work. Among the types of operating systems are: monoprocessors, multiprocessors, distributed systems, and notebook computer systems. 

 Monoprocessor system

This is a system that will be in charge of elaborating and perform a single function at a time. If you want to perform multiple functions at the same time, the uniprocessor system will not function correctly.

Multiprocessor system

Multiprocessor systems are those that have the ability to process and perform multiple tasks simultaneously without any problem. They can perform several tasks that belong to the same process thread and have the ability to process and execute multiple tasks at the same time without any kind of relationship.

Distributed systems

When we talk about distributed systems we are talking about those computers that are connected via a network. In other words, the hardware and software will communicate through signs and signals to function. 

Laptop computer systems

Operating systems for laptops will be the same as those implemented in computers. In this order of ideas, it is easy to understand that a multiprocessor system or a distributed system can be installed on a laptop.

Some examples of the most used operating systems

Since we have already talked about the most used operating systems today, it is time to mention the features of these systems. All this with the aim of knowing each of them and knowing how they work.

Linux operating system

Linux is an operating system that works like Unix. They are operating systems completely free which can be installed without problems. This is because it is open source which does not belong to any company.

PC operating system

When it comes to PC operating systems, the first thing that comes to mind is Microsoft Windows. as it is the most widely used operating system in computers globally. This system is one of the easiest to install and understand, generating ease of use and immediate adaptation among its users.

Mobile operating system 

As for the mobile operating system, the most used globally is Android . This is because it is the easily accessible system and it is very simple to understand, use and install. It is important to remember that it was designed with an open source kernel and since it is a mobile specific operating system, its design was based on the implementation of touch screens.

iOS operating system

The iOS operating system was developed specifically for iPhone . This means that it is a system that is mainly aimed at cell phones that belong to the Apple company.

For Mac computers

When you talk about Mac computer systems, you talk about the MAC operating system. Just as a system that belongs only to Apple phones (iPhones) has been implemented, the company has dedicated itself to developing a system that is used only with its own computers.