ENGLISH II
BASICS of OS LISI 2-22
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 processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you
to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the 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, and 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 computers are Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). A GUI 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.
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Microsoft Windows
Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been many different versions of
Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows
7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). 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 preloaded on all
Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High
Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).
According to StatCounter 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 reason for this is that
Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and feel of macOS over
Windows.
Linux
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.
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