ASSIGNMENT

Operating System

Submitted to:
Sir Masood

Submitted by

Rehan Ul Hassan
222201018

Department of Computer Science,

A Comprehensive Look at Operating
Systems: DOS, Windows, Linux, and
macOS

1.DOS (Disk Operating System):

Introduction:
DOS (Disk Operating System) was one of the earliest operating
systems used in personal computers. MS-DOS, developed by
Microsoft in 1981, was the most popular version, running on
IBM PCs. DOS was a single-user, command-line operating
system that allowed users to manage files, execute programs,
and interface with hardware directly. It served as the
foundation for early versions of Windows, particularly Windows
3.x, which operated as a graphical shell on top of MS-DOS. DOS
is now mostly obsolete but still used in some legacy systems
and for running old software that requires direct hardware
access.

Functionalities :

Command-Line Interface: DOS operates entirely through

text commands. Users need to type commands for file
manipulation, program execution, and system management

Batch File Processing: DOS allows for automation of

repetitive tasks through batch files (.bat), where a series of
commands are executed sequentially.

Direct Hardware Access: DOS gives users direct control over

hardware components, which was crucial for early PCs and low-
level system tasks.

File System Support: DOS uses the FAT (File Allocation

Table) file system, which was later adopted by other operating
systems for backward compatibility.

Pros using DOS:

Lightweight: DOS requires very few system resources,
allowing it to run on older and less powerful hardware.

Direct Control Over System Hardware: Because there’s no

abstraction layer like in modern OSes, users have direct access
to hardware components, which is useful for running certain
applications and games.

Legacy Software Compatibility: DOS remains relevant for

running legacy programs and games that don’t work well with
modern operating systems.

Cons Using Dos:

No Graphical Interface: DOS lacks any graphical user

interface, which makes it difficult for modern users who are
accustomed to graphical desktops.

Limited Multitasking: DOS was not designed for

multitasking, so users can only run one program at a time.

Obsolete for Modern Computing: With the advent of

modern operating systems like Windows and Linux, DOS is
mostly obsolete except for specific legacy applications.

Latest System Requirements:

As DOS is not actively developed anymore, it does not have

contemporary system requirements. However, a typical
requirement for running DOS includes:

Processor: Intel-compatible CPU (386 or higher)

Memory: 640 KB RAM minimum
Storage: A few MB of hard disk space depending on system.

2.Windows Operating System :

Introduction:

Windows, developed by Microsoft, first debuted in 1985 as a

graphical extension of MS-DOS. Windows 1.0 provided a
graphical interface but was very limited in functionality. It
wasn't until Windows 3.0 in 1990 that the operating system
began gaining widespread adoption. Windows 95 brought
significant advancements, including the introduction of the
Start menu and taskbar. Over the years, Windows has grown to
become the most widely used operating system globally, with
versions like Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10 being
particularly successful. Windows 11, the latest version,
launched in 2021, features a modernized UI, new features like
Snap Layouts for multitasking, and tighter integration with
Microsoft’s cloud and productivity services.

Functionalities :

Broad Application Compatibility: Windows supports almost

every type of software, from office productivity tools like
Microsoft Office to high-end gaming and development
environments.

Backward Compatibility: Windows offers strong backward

compatibility, allowing older software and peripherals to
function on newer versions of the OS.

Advanced File Management System: Windows Explorer

offers advanced file management, including drag-and-drop, file
preview, and seamless integration with cloud services like
OneDrive.

User Interface Customization: Windows allows users to

customize their desktops extensively with themes, widgets,
and different window management layouts (Snap Layouts in
Windows 11).

Pros using Windows:

Largest Software Library: Due to its large user base,

Windows has the widest range of available software and
applications across various domains.

Extensive Hardware Compatibility: Windows can run on

virtually any hardware configuration, from low-end to high-
performance machines.

High Performance in Gaming: Windows supports high-end

games and is compatible with a vast number of peripherals,
making it the go-to choice for gamers.

Cons Using Windows:

Security Vulnerabilities: Due to its popularity, Windows is a
frequent target for malware and viruses, requiring third-party
antivirus software.

System Bloat and Performance Issues: Over time,

Windows can become bloated with unnecessary files and
applications, slowing down system performance.
Licensing Costs: Windows is not free and requires users to
purchase a license, either pre-installed on hardware or
separately for custom-built PCs.

Latest System Requirements (Windows 11):

Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a
compatible 64-bit processor
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device

Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x

3.Linux Operating System :

Introduction:

Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and is a free

and open-source operating system based on Unix. Unlike
macOS or Windows, Linux is a kernel that can be used by
different distributions (distros) to build customized operating
systems. Popular distros include Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and
Red Hat. Linux quickly became known for its flexibility,
security, and stability, which made it especially popular in
server environments, data centers, and among developers. Its
open-source nature allows anyone to modify and distribute the
code, leading to a large community of contributors and
developers.

Functionalities :
Highly Customizable User Interface: Linux distributions
like GNOME, KDE, and XFCE provide diverse desktop
environments, allowing users to customize their experience
extensively.
Command Line Power: The terminal in Linux offers a highly
robust command-line interface, perfect for executing complex
commands and automating tasks.

Package Management Systems: Most Linux distributions

include package managers (like APT or Yum) that streamline
the process of installing, updating, and managing software.

Server and Networking Capabilities: Linux dominates the

server market due to its efficiency and reliability, especially for
web hosting, cloud services, and enterprise networking.

Pros using Linux:

Free and Open Source: Linux is free, with no licensing fees,

and users have full access to the source code for
modifications.

Highly Secure: Linux is considered one of the most secure

operating systems, with built-in permissions systems and fewer
malware threats.

Stable and Reliable: Linux servers can run for extended

periods without needing reboots or system maintenance,
making it a top choice for server environments.

Strong Community Support: Linux has an active community

providing extensive documentation and troubleshooting help.

Cons Using Linux:

Steep Learning Curve: The heavy reliance on command-line

interaction can make Linux challenging for new users who are
more accustomed to graphical interfaces.

Limited Compatibility with Proprietary Software: Some

commercial applications, especially for gaming or professional
productivity (like Adobe software), are not supported natively
on Linux.

Fragmentation: The wide variety of Linux distributions can

cause confusion among users, as each distro may have
different package management systems and software
compatibility.
Latest System Requirements:
Processor: 2 GHz dual-core processor or better

Memory: 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)

Storage: 20 GB of free hard drive space

Graphics: VGA capable of 1024x768 screen resolution

4. MAC Operating System :

Introduction:

macOS, developed by Apple Inc., was first introduced in 2001

as Mac OS X, a significant evolution from its predecessor Mac
OS. It was built on a Unix-based architecture, specifically
derived from NeXTSTEP, after Apple acquired NeXT. Mac OS X,
later rebranded as macOS, introduced a more modern, visually
appealing user interface and greatly improved stability and
security. Over time, macOS has become synonymous with
seamless hardware-software integration, a hallmark of Apple’s
ecosystem, making it popular among creative professionals
and general users alike. The operating system has evolved
through various major updates like Mavericks, Yosemite, and
Big Sur, incorporating modern features like a Control Center,
system-wide search (Spotlight), and native support for iCloud.

Functionalities :

Seamless Integration with Apple Ecosystem: macOS

offers smooth integration with other Apple devices (iPhones,
iPads, Apple Watch). Features like Handoff, AirDrop, and
Universal Clipboard allow users to move tasks seamlessly
across devices.

Unix-based Command Line Support: Being Unix-certified,

macOS offers robust terminal support, making it suitable for
developers and advanced users who need command-line
operations

Time Machine for Backup: Built-in backup functionality

using Time Machine allows users to automatically back up their
data to external drives.
Advanced Security Features: macOS includes Gatekeeper,
which restricts unauthorized software from running, and
FileVault, which provides full-disk encryption to safeguard user
data.

Pros using macOS:

Seamless User Experience: Smooth performance and tight

integration with Apple hardware and software services like
iCloud and Continuity.

Highly Stable: The Unix-based architecture provides stability,

making it less prone to crashes or freezing.

Strong Privacy and Security: Apple prioritizes user privacy,

with features like app sandboxing and regular security patches

Cons Using macOS:

High Cost of Ownership: Apple devices that run macOS are

more expensive compared to other hardware options.

Limited Customization Options: Compared to Linux or

Windows, macOS is less customizable, which might not suit
advanced users seeking specific changes.

Gaming Support is Limited: Fewer games are developed for

macOS compared to Windows, making it less suitable for
gamers.

Latest System Requirements:

Processor: Apple M1 chip or later

Memory: 8GB RAM (16GB recommended)

Storage: 15GB of available storage (more for updates)

Graphics: Metal-compatible graphics card

5. Key Differences Among macOS,

Windows, Linux, and MS-DOS:
Feature macOS Windows Linux MS-DOS
Type of Unix-based Proprietary Open-source Command-line
System operating operating operating system based
system system operating
system

User Primarily Primarily Supports both Primarily

Interface graphical user graphical user command-line command-line
interface (GUI) interface and GUIs interface (CLI)
(GUI)

Developm Proprietary Proprietary Open-source, Proprietary

ent software by software by community- software by
Apple Microsoft driven Microsoft
development

Hardware Limited to Extensive Extensive Limited to

Support Apple hardware library of software older
applications, repositories applications
including available and games
games

Software Extensive library Extensive Extensive software Limited to older

Availability of applications library of repositories applications
(mostly applications, available and games
proprietary) including
games

File System APFS (Apple File NTFS (New Supports multiple Uses FAT file
System) Technology file systems (ext4, systems
File System) XFS, Btrfs, etc.) (FAT12, FAT16)

Security Strong privacy Regular Robust security Basic security,

Features and security updates, but features with minimal
features more open-source protection
vulnerable to transparency
malware

Performanc Optimized for Performance Highly efficient, Lightweight

e Apple varies by often better and fast,
hardware, hardware performance on minimal
generally configuration older hardware resource usage
smooth