Operating System (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what an operating system is, what its types, uses and components are. Also, its functions and some examples.

windows operating system — Windows is one of the most used operating systems.

What is the operating system?

The operating system is the software that coordinates and directs all the services and applications that the user uses on a computer that is why it is the most important and fundamental. These are programs that allow and regulate the most basic aspects of the system. The most used operating systems are Windows, Linux, OS/2 and DOS.

Operating systems, also called kernels, usually run in a privileged manner compared to the rest of the software, without allowing any program to make important changes to it that may compromise its operation.

The operating system is the basic operating protocol of the computer, which coordinates all its other communications, processing, and user interface functions.

Operating systems consist of graphical interfaces, desktop environments or window managers that provide the user with a graphical representation of the processes in progress. It can also be a command line, that is, a set of instructions ordered according to priority and that works based on orders entered by the user.

Early versions of computers did not have operating systems. In the 1960s, computers used batch processing and it was during these years that operating systems began to be developed.

Although some well-known programs had already begun to emerge in the 1980s, in the 1990s these programs began to become more flexible and stronger. One of the great milestones was the launch of Windows 95.

What is an operating system for?

Operating systems allow other programs can use them as support to function. Therefore, based on the system used, certain programs can be installed and others cannot.

They are an essential part of the functioning of computer systems and the central piece of software in the process chain since they establish the minimum conditions for everything to work: the management of resources, the method of communication with the user and with other systems, additional applications.

Components of an operating system

The operating system It has three essential components or software packages that allow interaction with hardware:

File system. It is the record of files where they acquire a tree structure.
Command interpretation It is achieved with those components that allow the interpretation of commands, whose function is to communicate the orders given by the user in a language that the hardware can interpret (without the person giving the orders knowing said language).
Core. It allows operation in basic issues such as communication, data input and output, process management and memory, among others.

Functions of an operating system

Manage memory random access and run the applications, designating the necessary resources.
Manage at CPU thanks to a programming algorithm.
Direct data inputs and outputs (through drivers) through the input or output peripherals.
Manage the information for the proper functioning of the PC.
Lead the authorizations of use for users.
Manage the files.

Characteristics of an operating system

It is the intermediary between the user and the hardware.
It is necessary for the operation of all computers, tablets and mobile phones.
Grants security and protects computer programs and files.
It is designed to be friendly with the user and easy to use.
Allows manage efficiently use computer resources.
Most require license payment for your use.
Allows interact with multiple devices.
Is progressive since there are constantly new versions that are updated and adapted to the user's needs.

Operating system types

Operating system types vary depending on the hardware and function of each device. There are some for computers and others for mobile devices.

Depending on the user they can be: multi-user, operating system that allows several users to run their programs simultaneously; or single-user, operating system that only allows one user's programs to run at a time.
Depending on the task management, they can be: single-task, operating system that only allows one process to run at a time; or multitasking, operating system that can run several processes at the same time.
Depending on resource management they can be: centralized, operating system that only allows the resources of a single computer to be used; or distributed, operating system that allows the processes of more than one computer to run at the same time.

Examples of operating systems

mac operating system — MacOS is developed for Apple computers.

Microsoft Windows. One of the most popular that exists, initially it was a set of distributions or graphical operating environments, whose role was to provide other older operating systems such as MS-DOS with a visual representation of support and other software tools. It was first published in 1985 and has since been updated to new versions.
MS-DOS. This is the MicroSoft Disk Operating System (English acronym for MicroSoft Disk Operating System), one of the most common operating systems for IBM personal computers during the 1980s and mid-90s. It featured a series of internal and external commands displayed on a dark screen sequentially.
UNIX This operating system was developed in 1969 to be portable, multitasking and multiuser. It is actually an entire family of similar OS, some of whose distributions have been offered commercially and others in free format, always based on the kernel called Linux.
macOS It is the operating system for Apple's Macintosh computers, also known as OSX or Mac OSX. Based on Unix and developed and sold on Apple computers since 2002, it is the fiercest competition for the popular Windows.
Ubuntu This operating system is free and open source, that is, everyone can modify it without violating copyrights. It takes its name from a certain ancient South African philosophy, focused on man's loyalty to his own species above all else. Based on GNU/Linux, Ubuntu is oriented towards ease of use and total freedom. The British company that distributes it, Canonical, survives by providing technical service.
Android This operating system based on the Linux kernel operates on cell phones and tablets and other devices with touch screens. It was developed by Android Inc and later purchased by Google, making it so popular that sales of Android computer systems surpass those of IOS (for Macintosh cell phones) and Windows Phone (for MicroSoft cell phones).