An Operating System is a software program that acts as a bridgeway between the user and the hardware components and resources. It is software that manages the computer software and the hardware and also is responsible for providing services for the computer programs. The operating system is a system that can be found in any device may it be a smartphone, cellular phone, tablet, personal computer, laptop, palmtop, web server, supercomputer to video game console. The Operating system may differ in terms of the single and multi-user type, single-tasking and multi-tasking type, embedded, templated, real-time, distributed and library type operating system. Each of the types of operating systems is used according to the function that it has to perform. An operating System is a software program that after being fed into the computer system manages all the application programs in a computer. This is actually done by the application programs by making requests for the services through the application program interface (APIs).
Different Operating Systems have different benefits to their name. Some of them may be multi-tasking, some can be ahead in terms of security, some in sharing resources, hardware accessibility and so on. Depending on the Operating System, their benefits range and are described below:
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a group of several Graphical User Interface operating systems, all of which are developed by Microsoft Corporation. Windows offers a path of app running, data usage, playing video games, streaming videos, internet access and much more. Microsoft made an initial release of an operating system named Windows on November 20, 1985, in the form of a graphical operating system shell for MS-DOS. It was introduced in response to the growing market interests of the Graphical User Interface (GUIs).
Advantages of using Microsoft Windows
- · Software available
The software available is equipped with a vast range of applications. This is one of the main reasons why Microsoft is dominating the desktop operating systems and applications market. For any business program or anything related to the profession somewhere involves a Microsoft Windows product usage. So many applications are available in the market that it is likely that one may encounter their products in any business project that they may be working on. - Ease of use
With the advanced versions coming in, Windows has been made a lot simpler and provides ease of use to the users. The reason for it may be also due to the uniform look that the Windows interface provides and the feel of virtuality perhaps is the reason for its vast popularity. From the beginning of the operations of the Windows operating system, the file system and all have been implemented in a very proper manner. - Backward Compatibility
Windows is one such operating system that doesn’t let its customers compromise in terms of their work. All the programs that are functional in the older version of the Windows software are also functional in the newer versions of the Windows software. So, the users can work with any program and any application in any version of Windows. - Plug and Play
For any average home user, as an operating system, Windows provides a plug and play support for the PC hardware. If proper drivers are installed, then Windows makes sure that it properly recognizes the new hardware every time. This operating system has got plug and play feature that can function without manual control as well that too more frequently. - Games
The gaming support that Windows provide is phenomenal. Windows provides a variety of gaming options and also supports a variety of gaming hardware. Windows in itself is one of the most lucrative game-supporting operating systems.
The Mac OS or Macintosh Operating System is an operating system that is designed by Apple Inc. It is a Graphical User Interface which initially was referred to as the System Software as it was launched in the era of the MS-DOS dominance. It by default is made functional to operate only on Apple-manufactured devices. Mac OS during its earlier days was the first to be a graphical version and was always licensed to be used only with Apple-based devices and no other devices than Apple-related ones. It focused more on making the GUI more user-friendly by asking them to visually navigate the finder by just moving the mouse rather than by typing commands and all those big directory paths at text prompts during the launch of the GUI-based systems.
Advantages of using Mac Operating System
- · Free Useful Productivity Applications
Apple applications are generally pre-installed on Mac devices and there is also an Apple App Store available from where the applications can be downloaded and installed on the Mac device. Most of these apps are free and offer productivity applications like Keynote, Pages and Numbers. - Simple, faster and better User Interface
As compared to Windows, the Mac offers a really simple, faster, better and user-friendly user interface. The user interface here is really straightforward for its user’s use. Any user with past experience of using the iPhone or iPad does find it a lot simpler to use. - Dedicated features for the multi-tasking work
For Mac users, many dedicated multi-tasking features are made available that provide ease to all its users. The users can multi-task and run multiple workspaces at a single time which in a way is similar to operating different systems simultaneously. Mac operating system is designed in such a way that special keys and icons are provided for switching between different applications or workspaces. - Less vulnerable to security threats
Almost all operating systems are vulnerable to virus attacks from hackers around the world. This though is not the case with the Mac operating system. As compared to other operating system, Mac has specialised security active against all sorts of malware and other security threats that the operating system faces. - Easy compatibility with other Apple devices
Mac operating system provides its users with an ease of seamless compatibility with all other Apple devices. Even when using another operating system like iOS on an iPhone or iPad, the system is easily compatible. Also, the interface of the Mac and the iOS is very much similar which makes it easy to use for the users. Also, file synchronization and all other data or information in iCloud can easily be accessed using any of the Apple devices which makes it a lot more convenient in working.
Linux Operating System
Linux is a Unix-like operating system that directly manages the computer system’s hardware and resources which may include CPU, storage, memory and much more. Linux in the year 1991 was originally developed with the motive of working for personal computers that were based on the Intel x86 architecture, but with time has since been produced for many other platforms than the normal operating system. The Linux operating system is an interconnection between the applications and the hardware and is responsible for making connections between the software and the physical resources that they work with. Linux during its earlier stages was designed with a mindset of making it similar to UNIX, but with time has evolved so much that it now runs on a wide range of hardware ranging from smartphones to supercomputers.
Advantages of using Linux Operating System
- · Highly Secure
Linux is a highly secure software that doesn’t let anyone indulge in its user privacy. Almost all the layers have locks which prevent the hackers from getting into the system. Also, Linux is much less attacked by viruses because this operating system has got very less significant share in the market. Linux generally restricts root access due to which the permanent location is not available and the hackers have to look for other options. Also, any Linux user does require permission to access, open or adjust any files, folders, applications or kernel options due to which the spread of malware is very limited. - Free and Open-Source
Linux is an open-source and free operating system due to which the users can easily choose and install any applications from the Software manager and also the users can use, share and distribute it, the way they want. Linux as is free keeps all its users in the free software loop meaning the user can make use of any popular software and that too free of cost. - Stable in use
Linux distributions are pretty stable and even though some bugs are witnessed every now and then, they are eliminated with constant updates available. Almost every Linux version before rolling out in the market is tested several times for bugs and ensures that the operating system is even more stable than the previous version. - Easy to use
If the user is familiar with the basics, then the Linux operating system is one of the easiest operating systems to use. Linux is highly customizable and with almost no bloatware and any heavy applications thus making it one of the most productive software in the world. Linux has very simple and easy-to-use desktop environments as compared to its counterparts and a system that can easily download any software with ease. - Great Performance
Linux operating systems are really low on resources and hence can very easily run on RAM as small as 500MB. The use of resources by Linux is very efficient and this is the reason for its easy running on the low specification hardware. It provides very high performance on very steep hardware due to which it can run Android on mobiles with very little RAM available. - Freedom over the System
Linux distributions give its users absolute freedom over their system. They are free to do whatever they want, customize however they want, and tweak as much as they wish; there are no restrictions. The users can even change their whole desktop environment or make the system look just like Windows or Mac. There are tens of desktop environments available that the user can choose from. A few of them are Cinnamon, Mate, Unity, KDE, and hundreds of themes and docks. A Linux user is free to change the system to the maximum possibility and install anything without restriction. - Proper Utilization of System Resources
Linux uses system resources very efficiently may it be RAM or HDD. The user need not have much space on the system to run Linux. Even 10 GB is enough to run any Linux distribution properly. Linux can manage itself even when there is almost no space left on the system. This is probably the best advantage of Linux. There is no need to worry about space management on the storage device. Linux uses very little space and can function smoothly on that. On the other hand, Linux distributions are very lightweight. They function smoothly on even the oldest hardware and the lowest RAM. Linux distribution and desktop environment best support the hardware from a wide range and variety. - Privacy
The right to Privacy with Linux is available to all its users. Unlike other operating systems which collect the data and use it to target the user based on their online behaviour, Linux has nothing to do with such things. The user also gets access to lots of open-source applications that, in contrast to premium applications in Windows, do not steal the data. - Easy Software installation
This is the best part of using Linux, to install any software, the user can open Terminal and type out one line of command to install the software. Most of the tutorials are based around the Terminal, so only need to copy and paste from the tutorial into the Terminal to get the work done. App Image is one such software from the web, which runs universally on every Linux operating system without the need for installation. - Better Software Updates
Linux beat every operating system in terms of software and system updates. New and more stable updates are released once in a while, and this software is very easy to upgrade to. Linux updates are short in download size and take under a minute to install with no reboot required. Linux updates are also very stable and ideally tested before publication. The chances of updates breaking the system in Linux are very rare.
