Tails is a live operating system, that you can start on almost any computer from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card. It aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity on any computer. An operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like file management, memory management, process management, handling input and output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. Some popular Operating Systems include Linux Operating System, Windows Operating System, VMS, OS/400, AIX, z/OS, etc.
Lesson 8: Understanding Operating Systems
/en/computerbasics/mobile-devices/content/
What is an operating system?
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.
Watch the video below to learn more about operating systems.
Looking for the old version of this video? You can still view it here.
The operating system's job
Your computer's operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are several different computer programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your computer's central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs.
Types of operating systems
Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy. Most people use the operating system that comes with their computer, but it's possible to upgrade or even change operating systems. The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). A GUI lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text.
Each operating system's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a different operating system it may seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern operating systems are designed to be easy to use, and most of the basic principles are the same.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.
Check out our tutorials on Windows Basics and specific Windows versions for more information.
macOS
macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).
According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than 10% of global operating systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows users (more than 80%). One reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and feel of macOS over Windows.
Check out our macOS Basics tutorial for more information.
Operating System Not Found
Linux
Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can choose from.
According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global operating systems. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.
To learn more about different distributions of Linux, visit the Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora websites, or refer to our Linux Resources. For a more comprehensive list, you can visit MakeUseOf's list of The Best Linux Distributions.
Operating systems for mobile devices
Operating System Examples
The operating systems we've been talking about so far were designed to run on desktop and laptop computers. Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers, and MP3 players are different from desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple iOS and Google Android. In the screenshot below, you can see iOS running on an iPad.
Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully featured as those made for desktop and laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all of the same software. However, you can still do a lot of things with them, like watch movies, browse the Web, manage your calendar, and play games.
To learn more about mobile operating systems, check out our Mobile Devices tutorials.
/en/computerbasics/understanding-applications/content/
English-Russian dictionary of computer science and programming. 2013.
Смотреть что такое 'operating system' в других словарях:
Operating system — Operating systems … Wikipedia
operating system — ➔ system * * * operating system UK US noun [C] (ABBREVIATION OS, O/S) IT ► a program that controls the way a computer works, and that allows applications (= programs for particular purposes) to work on it: a computer/PC operating syst … Financial and business terms
operating system — n. The software that performs the essential tasks a computer must do in order to function, such as allocating memory, controlling devices, supporting software applications, and providing access to files. abbrv. OS The Essential Law Dictionary.… … Law dictionary
operating system — operating systems N COUNT The operating system of a computer is its most basic program, which it needs in order to function and run other programs … English dictionary
operating system — operating .system n a system in a computer that helps all the programs in it to work together … Dictionary of contemporary English
operating system — operating ,system noun count COMPUTING * the software that tells the parts of a computer how to work together and what to do … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
operating system — ► NOUN ▪ the low level software that supports a computer s basic functions … English terms dictionary
operating system — n. the software that controls the basic operation of a computer or computer network … English World dictionary
operating system — Computers. the collection of software that directs a computer s operations, controlling and scheduling the execution of other programs, and managing storage, input/output, and communication resources. Abbr.: OS [1960 65] * * * ▪ computing… … Universalium
Operating System — Ein Betriebssystem ist die Software, die die Verwendung (den Betrieb) eines Computers ermöglicht. Es verwaltet Betriebsmittel wie Speicher, Ein und Ausgabegeräte und steuert die Ausführung von Programmen. Betriebssystem heißt auf Englisch… … Deutsch Wikipedia
Operating System — Système d exploitation Pour les articles homonymes, voir SE et OS. système d exploitation et logiciels applicatifs Le … Wikipédia en Français
Книги
- System Design for Telecommunication Gateways, Alexander Bachmutsky. System Design for Telecommunication Gateways provides a thorough review of designing telecommunication network equipment based on the latest hardware designs and software methods available on… ПодробнееКупить за 10848.59 рубэлектронная книга
- System Design for Telecommunication Gateways, Alexander Bachmutsky. System Design for Telecommunication Gateways provides a thorough review of designing telecommunication network equipment based on the latest hardware designs and software methods available on… ПодробнееКупить за 10733.4 рубэлектронная книга
- System Design and Control Integration for Advanced Manufacturing, Li Han-Xiong. Most existing robust design books address design for static systems, or achieve robust design from experimental data via the Taguchi method. Little work considers model information for robust… ПодробнееКупить за 7254.51 рубэлектронная книга
Operating Systems For Computers