All types of operating systems for a computer. What operating system to choose for a computer - comparison and selection of the best. List of the most sought-after systems
So, what is the operating system on the computer? OS is the most important softwarewhich works on the computer. It manages memory, processes, and all software and hardware. It can be said that the OS is a bridge between the computer and man. Because without the operating system, the computer is useless.
Apple Mac OS X
Mac OS is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes pre-installed on all new Macintosh or Mac computers. The latest versions of this operating system are known as OS X.. Namely Yosetime. (released in 2014), Mavericks. (2013), Mountine. Lion. (2012), Lion. (2011), and Show Leopard (2009). Also there is Mac OS X Serverwhich is designed to work on servers.
According to the general statistics of STATCOUNTER GLOBAL STATS, the percentage of Mac OS X users is 9.5% of the operating system market, as of September 2014. It is much lower than the percentage of Windows users (almost 90% ). One of the reasons for this is the fact that Apple computers are very expensive.
Linux
Linux is a five-source family of operating systems. This means, they can be modified (change) and distributed by any person around the world. It is very distinguished by this OS from others, such as Windows, which can be changed and distributed only by the owner itself (Microsoft). The advantages of Linux is that it is free, and there are many different versions to choose from. Each version has its own appearance, and most popular it is Ubuntu., MINT. and Fedora..
Linux is named after Linus Torvalds, who laid the foundation in Linux in 1991.
According to the general statistics of STATCOUNTER GLOBAL STATS, the percentage of Linux users is less than 2% of the operating system market, as of September 2014. However, due to flexibility and ease in the settings, most servers operate on Linux.
Operating systems for mobile devices
All operating systems that we talked above are designed for desktop and laptop computers, such as a laptop. There are operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices, such as phones, and MP3 players, for example, Apple, iOS, Windows Phoneand Google Android. In the picture below you can see Apple, iOS working on the iPad.
Of course, according to the functionality, they are inferior to computer operating systems, but still they are capable of performing many main tasks. For example, view movies, view web pages on the Internet, launching applications, games, etc.
That's all. Leave in the comments which operating system you use and why do you like it
- It controls hardware and software system resources. If we talk about a typical desktop computer, then these resources include: processor, memory, disk space. If speak about mobile phone, then the keyboard (or touch screen), address book, number system system, battery and network connection
- It provides stable and consistent interaction of applications with hardware. The application may be unfamiliar with detailed characteristics hardware
- Real-Time Operating System, RTOS operating systems. Real-time operating systems are designed to control machinery, scientific tools and industrial systems. Usually, the user interface of such systems does not induce designer research, and the utilities focused on the end user are missing. It is ready for use "Closed box". The most important task of this type of operating system is to ensure that a certain operation is performed in a certain period of time. And these segments were equal. In complex machines, it is impossible to allow their elements to move faster than necessary, since the system has "superfluous" resources. Or, on the contrary, did not move at all because of the employment of the system
- Single-user single-handed operating systems (Single-User, Single Task). As follows from their name, these operating systems are focused on executing one user of one task in one period of time. A vivid example of a system of this type can serve as Palm OS for Palm handhelds. These devices used a certain popularity before the mass distribution of smartphones
- Single-user multitasking operating systems (Single-User, Multi-Tasking). Systems of this type are controlled by most modern desktop and laptop computers. AND Microsoft Windows.And Apple OS X belongs to this type. For example, Windows user can simultaneously write a note in a text editor and upload a file from the Internet. At the same time, the printer can print, and mail client Take an electronic correspondence
- Multiplayer operating systems (Multi-user). Multiplayer operating systems allow multiple users to simultaneously access the device resources. The operating system has to hold the balance between the requirements that are presented by different users. At the same time, the operating system has to ensure that each of the working programs have enough resources, and the task solved by one of the users did not interfere with other users. As bright examples of multiplayer systems, you can bring UNIX, VMS and operating systems for large computers like MVS
All desktop computers have operating systems. The most common operating systems of the Windows family system developed by Microsoft Corporation. Apple prevents its own operating system on its computers, which came above. In addition, there is a huge family of UNIX systems. The history of their development is full of outstanding personalities, innovative corporations and examples of cooperation in the name of achieving a joint goal. There are hundreds of various operating systems focused on the implementation of high-social tasks. Among them, operating systems for large computers (mainframes), robots, industrial equipment and real-time systems.
Each device with an operating system usually allows you to change changes in the process. And for this it is not necessary to rearrange in places in the chip. The user programmatically gives commands, which then report the hardware of the device, how to behave in the changed conditions.
For the desktop user, this means that security updates, system patch, additional applications, and even change the operating system. And the computer remains the same. In other words, you can change the behavior of your computer, without changing anything in its hardware component. The same applies to modern mobile phones. Regardless of which the device is installed on the operating system, it assumes control over each task performed by them and managing its system resources.
Operating system functions
If you strongly simplify the description of the tasks performed by the operating system, then you can allocate two main:
The first task, managing hardware and software resources is extremely important. The fact is that various programs and data entry methods compete for attention. central processor (CPU, CPU, CPU), on the principles of which we already. They need memory, drive space, as well as an input and output band. The operating system plays the role of a good mentor, arranging everything so that each application will receive the resources you need, and at the same time did not conflict with other applications. The operating system distributes limited computer resources so that the result for all users and all applications has turned out to be the best. Of course, from possible in this configuration. The computer has a well-defined processor performance and the amount of memory, which is already - as we already - does not always lead to an increase in the performance of the machine. The operating system will have to distribute these and other resources to the operating system.
The second task, ensuring the interaction of the software and hardware, is particularly important taking into account the fact that modern computers are open to making changes to their configuration. Interface tools applied software (Application Program Interface, API) Allow the developer to write a program on one computer and at the same time almost never doubt that it will work on another computer of the same type. Even if the memory volume or the storage capacity on two machines will differ from each other.
The operating system suits everything so that the application continues to run on this computer Even after his hardware is modified or manufactured software updates. The fact is that it is the operating system, and not every specific application, monitors the hardware and the distribution of its resources. There is a difficult task before developers of operating systems: make a system compatible with equipment from thousands of enterprises producing computer components and peripheral devices. Modern operating system is able to "learn" thousands of various printers, hard drives and special peripheral devices. Moreover, in each case, this equipment will be combined in a different way.
Types of operating systems
All huge many existing operating systems can be divided into four main types:
It is important to clarify some subtleties that may make it difficult to determine the type of operating system. There are multiplayer operating systems and systems that support network connections. And these are different operating systems. For example, Windows 2000 and Novell NetWare supported hundreds and even thousands of network connections. At the same time, they cannot be considered truly multiplayer. The only real user of Windows 2000 and NetWare is a system administrator. Network support and all deleted user accounts are included in the overall operating system plan, software-defined by its administrator.
Computer operating systems
When you turn on the computer power, the first starting program becomes a set of instructions contained in the computer's permanent memory (ROM, ROM). This code is testing systemic hardware And make sure that everything works correctly. This process is called self-test when started (POST, POWER-ON SELF TEST). In its course, the processor, memory and the basic I / O system (BSW, BIOS) is checked for errors. Test results are saved in a special memory area. If self-testing is completed successfully, the software posted in permanent memory. It is known under the name BIOS. This software starts activating the hard drives of the computer. In most modern computers when activating hard disk The first fragment of the operating system is located: Bootstrap Loader.
The initial bootloader is a small program that has only one function: upload an operating system into memory. This will start work. In general, the bootloader launches small drivers that interact with various hardware subsystems and control them. All this is located in the same memory that contains the operating system itself, user information and applications. The motion provides a data structure containing a huge set of signals, indicators and synchronization, providing interaction within and between subsystems and computer applications. Then the control over the computer proceeds to the operating system.
On this we will put a comma, as we still have to talk about which groups of tasks perform a typical operating system. But it will become the theme of the next story.
To be continued…
Based on Computer.howstuffworks.com.
These groups have been almost equal to the struggle for the monopolization of the market for a long time, and this struggle is foreseen for a long time - it is difficult to highlight the favorite. Let's try to figure out which product is the highest quality.
Windows
On the this moment There are three topical version of the OS of this Corporation - 7, 8, 10. Windows XP has already been out of fashion - now it is installed mainly on old computers. The newest version is Windows 10, but not the most popular version from the company. Window 7th version is firmly held in the ranking of the most used systems: 52% personal computers The world serves her.
Windows is optimized, their work is stable on most computers, and on old versions XP and 7 are the most preferred. Product Windows - Not the safest, so if you use Windows OS - you need to take care of the installation of licensed protective software.
Many users compare the "Operations" over the interface. Windows does not lose their competitors - a large selection of topics to visualize data, the animation of windows and translucency creates a pleasant contrast. Newered windows version Saved elements of the very first systems from this manufacturer, which manites the user.
One of the key advantages is the ability to install programs for performing a wide variety of tasks. This concerns office programs and gaming applications, as well as other applied directions.
Linux
Here manufacturers decided to release many versions that have a special purpose. The widest recognition among Linux products received Ubuntu. She became popular with Linux because it is the most optimal for use at home.
The Linux product is unique in that in the system settings, you can change everything in such a way that the system will be rebuilt completely taking into account PC parameters. This fact provides the highest performance, and in this component Linux is an undoubted leader among OS manufacturers. Linux also has an advantage in high reliability and safety, since distributions provide for many mechanisms for delimiting access to user information.
Concerning external viewYou can configure it in any way. Linux has many variations for selecting the interface - from simple and strict to complex and colorful, with a large number of effects. One of the most important details for Linux is to effectively manage it, the user must learn to work on the command line.
Many professional programming applications are written on the Linux kernel. But as for the choice of applications to perform applied tasks - everything is not so rich here as competitors.
Macos.
Macos desktop The "Operation" itself occurred together with the advent of the first products from Apple, respectively, is used on these devices. Now the latest edition of MacOS is 10 version.
MacOS is oriented under a certain standard of "iron", so their performance is the highest among all available OS. It is worth noting that high performance of systems for MacOS is distinctive feature - All products of this manufacturer are characterized by very stable and productive work. MacOS systems are very reliable, the cumulative number of viruses for this platform is not very large, and should not worry about installing additional protective software.
Most users are confident that MacOS is the most convenient and attractive operating system, judging by user interface. The manufacturer pays a lot of attention to this component, and there is no wonder their superiority in this component over their competitors. The developers use a huge set of technologies that are aimed at harmonizing and improving the type of control elements. Interestingly, the company regularly requires extraneous developers to use as much as possible to standard "Makovsky" application design of applications so that users work in new program Just as in a familiar before.
DOS.
Freedos Desktop There are few users who remember these developers of operating systems. It must be remembered that they became innovators in the development of the OS, inventing the operation of the operating system as a whole. Yes, competitors went further, improved all DOS's developments, but the developers of the first OS have now began to invent innovations for previous developments. From the beginning of zero years, DOS released a pair of OS emulators for PCs, but they were not recognized by users, due to the low performance and lack of most necessary characteristics for the modern OS.
However, DOS remains necessary for many users. DOS is optimal option For those users who wish to use old computers with new applications. For this, the developers launched Freedos and DJGPP, which included several programs, popular today - file manager, text editor, web browser, email client, etc. In other words, DOS products are still suitable for working on old PCs.
Security and reliability
In general, competition for the title of the best group OS is leading Windows, Linux and MacOS - DOS has already ceased to compete with more modern developments. In the area of \u200b\u200breliability and safety of work, the most optimal is Linux and Apple products. The best distribution in this component Linux is Ubuntu. Experts believe that the system C Linux core is preferably used as a keeper important informationSince protection against extraneous penetrations to the information stored in the system is very strong. By the way, users themselves need to be very attentive when appointing passwords and long ways to their necessary files - Otherwise, you can lose them.
Unlike Linux and MacOS distributions, Windows is clearly losing in reliability and safety. The Windows product also remains the title of the most unreliable operating system. The third-party protective software is regularly, but the protection of the systems is at the lowest level, and if you value the security of your information - Windows should not choose as an OS for your PC. As for MacOS, the safety here is also at the highest level.
The most gaming system
As mentioned above, in terms of the number of programs of different directions, Windows leads, and in the game component, this developer is an undoubted leader. For Linux, there are also quite a lot of gaming applications, since these "Operations" are also quite popular in the world, for example, here you can find a favorite Steam. But in the end, in the total volume of game applications, Windows will give odds and Linux, and MacOS taken together. The system itself has enough good characteristics For uninterrupted and unmistakable work of game applications on any computer, but, however, it is rare.
If you look at Windows Distributions, so far users are very careful called Windows 7 most preferable for games, despite the fact that three new versions of the system came out! Of course, the "seven" is a proven system, and therefore it is also given a greater preference from users. But it is not for long - after a year and a half, the whole world will speak that the eighth and tenth versions of Windows are much better than the seventh in the game plan.
The easiest OS.
If you take into account all the world's available operating systems and choose the simplest one - absolute champion Here will be DOS systems. But if we talk exactly about the three giants of the OS release at the present time, then in simplicity, again will be out of Windows. The simplicity is different - the development of development, ease of use, etc. We are more interested in what systems the users are more convenient to work. And most of them believe that Windows is the most simple "operating system", and starting from the very first of its versions.
Indeed, Windows is the most simple system When used, but very complex when developing. MacOS ranks second in the convenience of use, as noted by experts. Linux are the most complex systems, but if you get used to you, you will never return back, for example, on the Windows family.
For weak PC
Of course, there is a preference to DOS! However, DOS is quite difficult now, therefore, for weak PCs, Linux distributions are most suitable, with lightweight desktop environment (LXDE, OpenBox, Mate, XFCE).
The most optimal distribution for use in a weak PC from the Microsoft family of the Windows XP will be. In fact, this OS is good enough what has good performance and attractive interface. It is quite simple and quite suitable for even the weak PC can be played in favorite classic games.
The minus is that XP is no longer supported by the manufacturer, and installing this systemYou risk catching many viruses and Trojans.
This means that if you actively use the Internet, without additional protective software, your PC will not be able to work. So, think well about the choice of "Ourser" before installing it on your weak PC.
Availability of installation of software
And again the undisputed leader here is Windows! Still, the products from this developer appeared on the market itself first, and therefore it is realized instantly. Now only the lazy does not develop programs and applications for Windows, which means that software will always be available for these OS. But it is important to remember: due to the lowest possible degree of protection of Windows, it is necessary to be extremely attentive when installing software on a computer. Of course, it is necessary to use licensed software, and if it does not have any, then know: you go to risk, establishing unwanted programs to your PC, with a low level of protection.
What system to choose as a result
IN lately System developers perfectly worked on improving OS versions. Of course, the minimum market share and popularity will occupy MacOS, since it is a relatively new product. According to the characteristics, it is not inferior to Windows and Linux. If this product will be used in the future in great demand, then soon MacOS can become a sales leader.
Linux is an excellent system for office PCs and for computers that are used for programming and administration. They have high performance, are most safe and reliable in use, but they are too narrow-profile, because these "Operations" are not widely used.
Windows is a unconditional winner almost all parameters among their competitors, and the product's popularity is explained. For modern computers, it is Windows that will be the optimal OS, each chooses version alone. From the user depends on what OS installed - if the computer is needed to work - it is better to put Linux if Windows is for games. It is necessary to determine all the parameters you want to get more from the OS - and in this case you can make the right and conscious choice!
According to Roskomstat, Windows has 84% \u200b\u200bof popularity among Russian users of personal computers. Linux is ahead of MacOS by 3% - 9% against 6%. The situation will change if there are serious grounds for attractiveness among users, and system developers lead continuous operation in this area.
Many of you may have heard that other operating systems for the computer also have other operating systems.
In this article we will do short review About the most famous representatives of operating systems, and perhaps you will want to change your life, trying another OS.
Let's start with the most common.
Windows
Windows XP.
This operating system has appeared quite a long time ago, it already released 3 service pack "A and a lot of pirate assemblies. They are so much that you are unlikely to find the one that is similar to XP, released by Microsoft. One of the most famous such assemblies - zvercd. It is so famous that it is sold in stores. Its main advantage is the simplicity of installation and that there are many programs that will be useful to the same disk, including K-Lite Codec Pack (Collection of codecs for viewing audio and video). Also noticeably in it that the drivers are installed themselves during installation. I a little distracted from the main topic. So, the pros and cons of Windows XP.
Pros:
- The first and most important plus Windows XP is that you are accustomed to him. You know how to use them, you have almost no problems with him, and if there is, the hackers are to blame, weak computer, Slow Internet - in general, everything except. Also, you are very used to its interface that you will most likely be inconvenient to you.
- The second, important plus - on the most programs and games produce. Of course, they can be launched on other operating systems, but it will be more difficult than on.
Minuses:
- Windows XP requires more resources than other operating systems, it does not have such an abundance of settings, as on other systems.
- There are mainly paid programs for it, that is, you will have to either pay, or live, knowing that you use illegal software (of course for many programs there are free alternatives that are not always very different in functionality. Do not use them mostly from not knowledge of them or because of the same habit).
Windows 7.
Now stop thinking about the past, and let's see what we have now. In Windows 7, there were many problems that arose in Windows XP, there were many amenities that you constantly make up, and with this new problems have appeared.
Pros:
- Improved visualization appeared (convenience in managing, desktop widgets).
- Now that you insert any device, Windows 7 will immediately set the driver for you from the Internet.
Minuses:
- Despite the changes, Windows - it is Windows. Therefore, the minuses are the same as for XP.
Linux.
* NIX Similar operating system created by Student Linus Torvald. Significantly different from Windows is used in the main programmers or for servers. But there are not only distributions for servers and programmers, but also for ordinary users, so why most use Windows, and not licensed? It is elementary, because, I will not be afraid to repeat, people are accustomed to Windows, and in some time there is no redemption. It would really have to go, if we lived, let's say in 2005. Now they have released enough distributions to select the appropriate. There is even one who has an identical interface with windows interface. But we will focus on the most common and most suitable distribution for regular users - Ubuntu.
Ubuntu 10.04
I decided to take the last LTS (Long Term Support) version, because it is significantly different from the previous ones - this is Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx. It solves the main problem of Linux "A - connection to the Internet. Unlike past versions, you don't need to configure anything in this, you simply install the WICD program, click the Connect button and you have access to the Internet. Internet access is very important On Ubuntu, updates come out almost weekly, just with each installation of the English-language program, you can check whether there is a Russian language for it, going to language settings and installing all updates there. Also, compared with the past versions, the number of problems has decreased. New version Ubuntu leaves every six months, which is also important. Now let's go to the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Ubuntu starts at times faster than Windows. You can change the user too fast enough.
- No need to set manually drivers, it is possible to connect different sources to update the system and applications.
- Problems with downloading and installing applications almost no will not necessarily go to the browser to find and download the program, just go into one of the application management managers, there find need app And install it.
- Many settings. You can adjust the system completely under yourself. The interface is configured to trifles. Also, there are many sites on which all configuration processes are described. One of them is Ubtology. It is all described from installation.
- Part of the programs are ported with Windows on Ubuntu. That is, you can easily use your favorite Opera / Mozilla Firefox / Google Chrome on Ubuntu, talking through your usual Skype and Mail.ru agent.
- No viruses. This means that you do not need to put antivirus. There are dangerous terminal commands that you can accidentally run from the Internet, but everything depends on your care. Also, in Ubuntu built-in Firewall.
- Codecs for audio and video Ubuntu offers to download as needed. That is why the Internet connection is so important.
Minuses:
- The Ubuntu setting may seem difficult to you and long, because everything is most often. Without it, you can do, but in order to really enjoy the Ubuntu, you have to go through the configuration process.
- In fact, the ported programs are not enough. In order to use the same programs as on Windows, you will have to install one of the programs intended for this (for example, Wine), configure libraries, fonts, install driver DirectXif needed. Or install Windows on virtual Machine. In general, again setting up.
- Not all programs can be installed from the application center. Some have to download from the Internet manually, and some of them are not in the DEB format (Debian installation package, installation of anology installation EXE), and in TAR.BZ2 format, that is, in the archives. Unpack and install them will have to manually.
- Lovers of the game may have problems. Of course, games are released on Ubuntu a lot, but that you have access to your Steam, for example, you will have to either put Windows on the virtual machine or configure Wine.
Also, after this version, the versions of UBNTU 10.10 and 11.04 were published, but nothing new, except for an alternative graphic shell Unity, which could be added to the pros or cons not appeared.
Mac Os.
The operating system created by Apple Corporation. It will not disassemble it in detail, we will describe it in general featureswithout affecting individual distributions, as not everyone can afford it, only if a pirated copy, which is not so simple. The operating system itself does not sell separately, it is sold only with laptops and desktop computers apple. One such laptop will cost you about 50,000 rubles, it is clear that it is overpaying for the brand, but in spite of this price they buy them, it means that there is something noticeable in it.
DOS operating system Disk operating system. DOS (disk Operating System.) - This is the oldest distributed OS for PC. It exists in various versions and implementations. DOS versions are different by number and by the number of built-in tools for working with a computer. Newer versions of DOS have backward compatibility with old. This means that newer versions "know how" everything that "skilled" is older, but not the opposite. As a result of the program written for later versions of DOS, cannot be performed under the control of earlier, but the use of the capabilities of later DOS versions significantly facilitates the programmer's task. This statement, by the way, is fair not only towards DOS, but also for most other operating systems. It should be borne in mind that the implementation of DOS from various manufacturers also have small differences. They are usually insignificant for most programs that do not affect system installations. However, in some cases it is necessary to distinguish them, and for this, to the title "DOS", the prefix denotes its manufacturer. The most common implementations are: PC-DOS, MS-DOS, DR-DOS, Novell DOS, etc. The DOS operating system has a usercraft interface.