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Learning About Operating Systems

An operating system (OS) controls low-level tasks like file systems, device drivers, and user interfaces. Early computers had custom OSes optimized for their hardware, but now most OSes are compatible with different hardware. The kernel controls basic tasks and user interfaces include command line and graphical user interfaces. Popular OSes include Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

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13 views

Learning About Operating Systems

An operating system (OS) controls low-level tasks like file systems, device drivers, and user interfaces. Early computers had custom OSes optimized for their hardware, but now most OSes are compatible with different hardware. The kernel controls basic tasks and user interfaces include command line and graphical user interfaces. Popular OSes include Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Uploaded by

leronwpiruk
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Learning About Operating Systems

An operating system is a generic term for the multitasking software layer that lets you perform a
wide array of 'lower level tasks' with your computer. By low-level tasks we mean:
• the ability to sign in with a username and password
• sign out the system and switch users
• format storage devices and set default levels of file compression
• install and upgrade device drivers for new hardware
• install and launch applications such as word processors, games, etc
• set file permissions and hidden files
• terminate misbehaving applications
A computer would be fairly useless without an OS, so today almost all computers come with an
OS pre-installed. Before 1960, every computer model would normally have it's own OS custom
programmed for the specific architecture of the machine's components. Now it is common for an OS
to run on many different hardware configurations.
At the heart of an OS is the kernel, which is the lowest level, or core, of the operating system.
The kernel is responsible for all the most basic tasks of an OS such as controlling the file systems
and device drivers. The only lower-level software than the kernel would be the BIOS, which isn't
really a part of the operating system. We discuss the BIOS in more detail in another unit.
The most popular OS today is Microsoft Windows, which has about 85% of the market share for
PCs and about 30% of the market share for servers. But there are different types of Windows OSs as
well. Some common ones still in use are Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows
Vista, and Windows Server. Each Windows OS is optimized for different users, hardware
configurations, and tasks. For instance Windows 98 would still run on a brand new PC you might
buy today, but it's unlikely Vista would run on PC hardware originally designed to run Windows 98.
There are many more operating systems out there besides the various versions of Windows, and
each one is optimized to perform some tasks better than others. Free BSD, Solaris, Linux and Mac
OS X are some good examples of non-Windows operating systems.
Geeks often install and run more than one OS an a single computer. This is possible with dual-
booting or by using a virtual machine. Why? The reasons for this are varied and may include
preferring one OS for programming, and another OS for music production, gaming, or accounting
work.
An OS must have at least one kind of user interface. Today there are two major kinds of user
interfaces in use, the command line interface (CLI) and the graphical user interface (GUI). Right
now you are most likely using a GUI interface, but your system probably also contains a command
line interface as well.
Typically speaking, GUIs are intended for general use and CLIs are intended for use by computer
engineers and system administrators. Although some engineers only use GUIs and some diehard
geeks still use a CLI even to type an email or a letter.
Examples of popular operating systems with GUI interfaces include Windows and Mac OS X.
Unix systems have two popular GUIs as well, known as KDE and Gnome, which run on top of X-
Windows. All three of the above mentioned operating systems also have built-in CLI interfaces as
well for power users and software engineers. The CLI in Windows is known as MS-DOS. The CLI
in Max OS X is known as the Terminal. There are many CLIs for Unix and Linux operating
systems, but the most popular one is called Bash.
In recent years, more and more features are being included in the basic GUI OS install, including
notepads, sound recorders, and even web browsers and games. This is another example of the
concept of 'convergence' which we like to mention.
A great example of an up and coming OS is Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a Linux operating system which is
totally free, and ships with nearly every application you will ever need already installed. Even a
professional quality office suite is included by default. What's more, thousands of free, ready-to-use
applications can be downloaded and installed with a few clicks of the mouse.
This is a revolutionary feature in an OS and can save lots of time, not to mention hundreds or
even thousands of dollars on a single PC. Not surprisingly, Ubuntu's OS market share is growing
very quickly around the world.
As an IT professional, you will probably have to learn and master several, if not all, the popular
operating systems. If you think this sort of thing is fun and interesting, then you have definitely
chosen the right career ;)
We have learned a little about operating systems in this introduction and you are ready to do more
research on your own. The operating system is the lowest software layer that a typical user will deal
with every day. That is what makes it special and worth studying in detail.

1. What is the main function of an operating system?


a Controlling file systems and device drivers
b Providing internet security
c Designing hardware configurations
d Running gaming applications
2. Why did early computers have custom-programmed operating systems for each machine?
a To prevent software piracy
b To optimize performance for specific hardware
c To limit the number of applications that could be installed
d To reduce the cost of manufacturing computers
3. Which operating system has the largest market share for PCs?
a Free BSD
b Solaris
c Linux
d Microsoft Windows
4. Why might geeks install and run more than one OS on a single computer?
a To confuse hackers
b To increase the computer's speed
c To optimize performance for different tasks
d To limit the number of applications that could be installed
5. What are the two major kinds of user interfaces in operating systems?
a Gaming interface and productivity interface
b Command line interface (CLI) and Graphical user interface (GUI)
c Voice recognition interface and touch screen interface
d Virtual reality interface and augmented reality interface
6. Which operating system is known for being free and coming with a wide range of pre-
installed applications?
a Windows XP
b Ubuntu
c Windows Vista
d Mac OS X
7. Why is it important for IT professionals to learn and master multiple operating systems?
a To increase the cost of IT services
b To limit the number of users on a network
c To specialize in a specific OS
d To be versatile and adaptable in the IT industry

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