Operating System

Operating system(OS) is a collection of systems programs that contros the device on which it is installed and the peripherals associated with it.
Due to the advancement in technology, today we see people talking about Operating System even in cell phones e.g. ios5, ios6, Andriod, Symbiad etc. So its not right to define Operating System as set of system programs for Computer System. We are going to talk about Operating system of Computer in this session.
There are various Operating system availabe in the market. They individually have their advantages and disadvantages. People use different types of OS according to their needs.
Some of the types of Operating system most commonly used are:-
1. Batch System
2. Multi-programmed System
3. Time Sharing
4. Multiprocessor System
5. Real-time
6. Distributed System

Some of the examples of Operating system most commonly used are:-
1. Ms- Dos
2. Linux
3. Windows XP
4. Windows Vista
5. Windows 7
6. Windows 8
7. Mac OS

1. Ms-DOS
Ms-Dos is an acronym of Microsoft Disk Operating System. It was used in earlier days. It offered a set of commands. It was based on CUI. Their was no visual descriptions of the objects.

2. Linux
Linux is one of the popular multi-user Operating system which is used still. It is an open source Operating System. Any one having knowledge on Operating System can modify the code and buit new OS according to their need e.g. we can see different OS in different language, we can find in Nepali language too. It has stronger security system. It provides its own program for compiling and office programs. Upto now, there are not any viruses found attacking Linux. Linux is mostly used in networking systems and embedded systems(Cell phones). We talk about Android equipped cell phones most often now-a-days. Even Android uses the Kernel of Linux.


3. Windows XP
Windows XP is an product of Microsoft Corporation. We can find various versions of Win XP in the market. Though not being the latest Operating System it is most widely used than others. It claimed 47.19% of the market till 31st January 2012. Microsoft Corporation is suggesting users to upgrade their XP to Win7 as the Official support for leagacy OS is going to end on April 2014.
It is GUI based OS.It is GUI based OS. Unlike Windows 7 it doesnot have in-built driver facility. We have to install individual device drivers which is sometimes cumbersome.

4. Windows Vista
Windows Vista is also an product of Microsoft Corporation. It didnot take enough market.

5. Windows 7
Windows 7 is also an product of Microsoft Corporation. It is more advanced than unlike older version of Windows. One of the main advantage is that it has self driver installation capability (except for special devices like sensors and others mostly in laptops and pads). Since it is advanced than XP, we can install Xp-mode in this OS. Some of the major advantages of win 7 are:-
a. Automatic driver installation
b. Windows Touch
c. Improved browser aplication
d. Easy sharing
e. Iso file Burning
f. Media Streaming
But Blue screen and System halt problems are said to be more common in this system.

6. Windows 8
Windows 8 is the latest product of Microsoft Corporation.

7. Mac OS
It is an product of Apple Corporation. The latest version is called Mac OS X. It is used in Apple products. The programs running on Windows platform are not supported by this OS.