BLOG: What is an Operating System?

What is an operating system?

The OS (Operating System) provides the direction that users and the applications require to dictate and use the hardware. In layman's terms, it controls the computer and tells it how to operate. The book refers to the OS system as the middleman between applications and hardware, between user(s) and hardware and/or the user(s) and applications. A computer simply cannot run without an OS system. It would be like trying to run our body without a brain.

What four things do all operating systems have in common?

All OS systems share the four main functions:

1. Providing user interface which is basically performing housekeeping functions requested by the user - copying files, changing time and date formatting, etc.
2. Managing Files on the hard drives, DVD drives, CD drives, floppy drives. This also includes creating, storing, retrieving and moving of files (documents).
3. Managing Applications to include installing and un-installing applications (software) and running applications and managing the connection to the hardware on behalf of the applications being ran.
4. Managing hardware to include managing the BIOS, memory (the temporary place to store data), diagnosing problems with the software and hardware, and the interfacing between both the hardware and software (interpretation of the needs of the hardware and software so that they can effectively work together.)

Trace the evolution of the Windows operating system in your own words.

Disk Operating System (DOS) was the first of the OS systems for IBM and IBM compatible computers (non Apple systems). This was the required base for all hardware and software before Bill Gates developed Windows.

In the 1990's the early versions of Windows, which includes Windows 3.1 and 3.11 (Windows 3.x) DOS was the OS system, providing the user a very user-friendly environment between DOS, applications and the user. Windows 3.x was no more than a middle man.

When Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME (Windows 9x/ME) came out these versions were supported by the underlying DOS system. At this point Windows and the DOS Core worked in partnership with each other. I like to refer to this partnership as the bone that needed the muscle. This partnership provided a bridging of two worlds. These operating systems allowed the OS to be backward-compatible with the older software and hardware at the same time the ability to take full advantage of newer technology. As newer versions of Window's were released the requirements of the processor, RAM and free hard drive space increased.

The introduction of Windows New Technology (Windows NT) came in two versions, one was Windows NT for Workstations and the other was Windows NT Server (to control a network). This was where the Windows version corrected the problems that Windows 9x/ME was having with stability by completely rewriting the OS Core, eliminating the DOS Core.

Windows 2000 came out and corrected the issues that Windows NT introduced. Windows 2000 was designed for all users at the private and corporate level. There are many versions of Windows 2000; Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, Advanced Server, and Datacenter Server. Windows 2000 produced a stable environment over its predecessors. It introduced Plug and Play, Recovery Console, Active Directory, better network support, and features that targeted notebook computers.

Windows XP is the upgrade to Windows 2000. Windows XP came in many versions including Windows XP Home Editions, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. Windows' goal here was to integrate Windows 9x/Me and 2000 and provide added support for multimedia and the advancing networking technologies. Windows XP gave the user a new and different look from its previous editions and more versatility and advanced security features.

Windows also introduced, for businesses that operate on servers, the Windows Server 2003. This OS system is used for companies that operate on servers and require different uses than the personal computer.

Windows Vista was introduced to business users in November of 2006, and released to the public in January 2007. Vista is the next generation of Windows. Its benefits are that it has incorporated a new graphical interface, revamped engine and introduced a new interface between the OS and the applications. Microsoft’s goal with the Vista system is to really incorporate multimedia with speed and user friendly control functions. Vista currently has on the market Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate.

Also new to the market for businesses that have servers is Windows Server 2008. This has a new feature of lowering the power consumption of the servers, minimize environmental byproducts, and increase server efficiency. I am sure this will be a huge hit!