BIRENDRA MULTIPLE CAMPUS

Tribhuvan University

Bachelor of Information Technology

CASE STUDY

ON

WINDOWS VS UNIX

Submitted by:
Prem Bhandari

Roll number: 25

Semester:
1st semester

Submitted to:
Kul Prasad Sapkota
Professor of Information Technology
Submission Date: 9th December, 2024
 INTRODUCTION

Operating systems (OS) are the backbone of modern computing systems that manage and control

the main computer hardware, the hardware peripherals and software resources, so also the users.

Two of the most widely used operating systems today are UNIX and Windows. UNIX has been

the foundation for many server environments, while Windows has dominated personal

computing for decades. This case study aims to compare and contrast these two operating

systems, focusing on their architecture, features, background and history, advantages,

disadvantages, and their use in different environments.

Key points covered in this study include:

 Historical Background: Tracing the development of Windows and UNIX.

 System Architecture: Understanding the core design principles of both systems.
 Performance and Security: Examining strengths and weaknesses; Merits and demerits of both
operating systems..
 Applications: Identifying areas where each system excels

Purpose of the study

1. Architecture: Analyzing the kernel design, system utilities, and core functionalities.
2. Security and Stability: Assessing each system's ability to manage security threats and
ensure stable performance.
3. Performance and Scalability: Examining the efficiency of resource utilization and
scalability in various environments.
4. Applications: Highlighting use cases and domains where each OS excels, such as desktops,
servers, and embedded systems.
5. Future Prospects: Investigating how advancements in technology might shape the future of
these systems.
 Background and History: Windows vs UNIX

Windows:

Developed by Microsoft, Windows is a proprietary operating system primarily focused on

desktop computing. In early years, Microsoft introduced MS DOS in 1981, a command-line

interface operating system. After which, Windows 1.0 was released in 1985 with Graphical User

Interface (GUI). It has evolved through various versions, with Windows 10 and Windows 11

being the latest.

Below is an overview of its major versions and features.

Windows Operating system

Yea
Version Major Features
r
1985 Windows 1.0 GUI-based OS, basic window management, limited multitasking

1987 Windows 2.0 Improved UI, overlapping windows, VGA graphics support

1990 Windows 3.0 Enhanced memory management, support for 16-bit applications

1995 Windows 95 Start Menu, taskbar, plug-and-play support, built-in internet features

1998 Windows 98 Improved USB support, Internet Explorer integration, System Restore
Windows Based on Windows NT, enhanced stability, Active Directory
2000
2000 introduced
User-friendly UI, better security, Remote Desktop, support for both
2001 Windows XP
32-bit and 64-bit systems
Windows
2007 Aero interface, improved security with User Account Control
Vista
2009 Windows 7 Enhanced performance, redesigned taskbar, improved media features

2015 Windows 10 Virtual desktops, Cortana, frequent updates

2021 Windows 11 Redesigned UI, focus on productivity and hybrid work environments
UNIX:

Developed in the late 1960s at AT&T Bell Labs, UNIX was designed as a multi-user,

multitasking operating system. Its modular design and command-line interface became the basis

for numerous variants, including Linux and macOS, dominating server environments and

underpinning critical infrastructure. It is primarily designed for the use by very large enterprise

computing systems.

Setting up a UNIX OS can be difficult and it requires some knowledge to operate, but it is stable

and robust, and efficient with system resources.

Below is an overview of its major versions and features.

UNIX Operating System

Yea
Version Major Features
r
1969 Original Unix Multi-user, multitasking, command-line interface
Unix Version 4
1973 Rewritten in C, portable across systems
(V4)
Unix Version 7 Introduced Bourne Shell, considered the last "true" Unix by
1979
(V7) AT&T
Commercial Unix variant, introduced runlevels and standardized
1983 System V
APIs
Developed by Berkeley, introduced TCP/IP networking and
1984 BSD 4.2
sockets
Linus Torvalds' open-source Unix-like kernel, foundation for
1991 Linux Kernel 0.01
Linux distributions
Introduced by Sun Microsystems, focus on scalability and ZFS
1992 Solaris 2
file system later
Open-source BSD variant, widely used in servers and embedded
1994 FreeBSD 2.0
systems
Mac OS X (Unix- Unix-certified system with GUI, combining BSD features and
2001
based) Apple's proprietary technologies
2004 Ubuntu 4.10 Debian-based Linux distribution, focused on user-friendliness
 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

System architecture refers to the internal structure and organization of an operating system,

encompassing its design, components, and how they interact to manage hardware and software

resources. Both Windows and UNIX have distinct architectural philosophies, reflecting their

unique purposes and user bases.

1. Differences in System Design

 Windows prioritizes ease of use with a robust graphical interface, whereas UNIX focuses
on modularity and efficiency.
 Windows has a monolithic kernel integrating many services directly into its core, while
UNIX uses a minimalist design with separate, independent modules.
 Windows is widely adopted for desktop environments, while UNIX is preferred in servers
and enterprise systems
 Windows support x86, x86-64 architecture whereas UNIX supports x86, x86-64,
PowerPC, SPARC, Alpha and others.
 Windows relies heavily on a graphical user interface (GUI) for user interaction, while
UNIX has shell, a command line interface that allows users to interact with the system
and execute commands.

2. File System Organization

Feature Windows File System Unix File System

File System Type NTFS, FAT32, exFAT ext4, XFS, ZFS

File Path Backslash \ (e.g., C:\
Forward slash / (e.g., /home/user)
Separator Documents)

Case Sensitivity Case-insensitive Case-sensitive

Uses Access Control Lists Uses user/group/other permissions
File Permissions
(ACLs) (rwx)
 MERITS AND DEMERITS OF OPERATING SYSTEMS: WINDOWS AND

UNIX

1. Windows Operating System:

Windows Operating System was introduced into the market in the year 1985, and as a robust and

comprehensive kind of software. With its great and dominance presence in commercial

buildings, industrial facilities, as well as its obvious presence as home computers.

Merits of Windows OS:

i. Technical/Maintenance support: Support is made available either online or

offline because of its general acceptability by so many users.

ii. Compatibility: Windows accommodates almost every applications, game works

and different types of drivers.

iii. Enormous quantity of functions: Getting use to Windows, one would realize

that there are many functions one can do almost anything quite easily with when

call up.

Demerits of Windows OS:

i. Viruses: Need to purchase an antivirus programs that needs to be activated

frequently, and this can be done on Auto or Manual mode, although free antivirus

exist but with limitations.

ii. Slow: Windows operating system, particularly Vista and Windows 7 needs a lot of

system resources like registers, cache, main memory, processor, disk space, and

this makes the system runs slower.

 iii. Price: The cost of purchasing Windows operating system is high and very few

users can afford it and this necessitate cracking and makes pirated software

version available.

2. UNIX Operating System:

UNIX happens to be one of the very few oldest of all operating system in recent time of ICT

world that is still generally and widely used and available till date, as none conspicuous

operating system but its somehow secret in its operation and interface design. UNIX OS uses the

"UNIX file system". However, most file systems used by UNIX OS are impartially similar, but

different uniquely from of other operating systems file systems, such as DOS or Windows. UNIX

with is pros and cons and besides being a free system, are found as to run on most machine.

Merits of UNIX OS:

i. User Control and Freedom: UNIX offers more control to the user compared to

other operating systems like Windows and Mac, which are more icon and mouse-

driven, making them user-friendly.

ii. Customization and Flexibility: UNIX allows the operating system to be

customized according to the user's needs. It can be modified to be more

compatible with specific tasks or workflows.

iii. Powerful and Reliable: With years of use and development, UNIX has become a

highly reliable operating system. Most bugs and issues have been addressed,

making it stable for long-term use.

iv. Freedom vs Risk: UNIX offers great freedom in control and customization. This

could also be a risk for a user with improper knowledge.

 .Demerits of UNIX OS:

1. Requires Expert Knowledge: Successful use of UNIX typically requires an

expert. Simple tasks, like installing new products or updates, may be difficult for

those who are not familiar with UNIX.

2. Difficulty for Novices: UNIX relies heavily on its command-line interface, which

can be difficult to navigate for beginners. This makes it less user-friendly and

more suited for advanced users who are familiar with system commands.

3. Customization Can Lead to Compatibility Issues: While UNIX is highly

customizable, this flexibility can sometimes lead to compatibility problems.

Different versions or dialects of UNIX may require specific configurations, which

can create a learning curve for users switching between different environments.

REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS

 WINDOWS:

Dominates the desktop market, widely used in gaming, enterprise environments, and
personal computers. Also used in software development, education, cloud computing and
embedded systems as well.

 UNIX:

Powers critical servers, supercomputers, and specialized environments like telecom. Also
applicable in mobile devices, security and networking, scientific research and academia.
 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, both Windows and UNIX offer distinct advantages and drawbacks, making them

suitable for different user needs and environments. Windows excels in user-friendliness, wide

application support, and ease of use, making it the preferred choice for personal and desktop

computing. However, its resource-intensive nature and security vulnerabilities present significant

challenges, especially for enterprise-level operations.

On the other hand, UNIX provides unparalleled flexibility, control, and security, making it ideal

for professionals, developers, and server environments. Its ability to be customized and its high

reliability are key strengths, though the system's complexity and the steep learning curve for

beginners can be significant hurdles.

Ultimately, the choice between Windows and UNIX depends on the user's specific needs—

whether they prioritize ease of use and application compatibility (Windows) or require a secure,

flexible, and powerful operating system for advanced tasks (UNIX). Both operating systems

have evolved over the years to cater to their respective audiences, ensuring their continued

relevance in the ever-changing landscape of computing.