Operating Systems

History of Windows

Windows was introduced by Microsoft in 1985 as a graphical extension for MS-DOS, which itself was a key player in the early days of personal computing. MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) was launched in 1981, based on QDOS (Quick and Dirty Operating System), which Microsoft acquired and adapted for use with IBM PCs. Windows 1.0 provided a basic graphical user interface (GUI), marking a departure from purely text-based systems. Over time, Windows evolved through the following versions:

• Windows 1.0 (1985): The first graphical interface overlay for MS-DOS.

• Windows 2.0 (1987): Introduced desktop icons and improved memory management.

• Windows 3.x (1990-1992): Brought multitasking and wider adoption through a user-friendly interface.

• Windows 95 (1995): Introduced the Start menu, taskbar, and plug-and-play support.

• Windows 98 (1998): Enhanced hardware support and the introduction of USB compatibility.

• Windows ME (2000): Focused on multimedia, though criticized for stability issues.

• Windows 2000 (2000): Aimed at business users with enhanced security and networking features.

• Windows XP (2001): Known for its stability and user-friendly interface, a major success.

• Windows Vista (2006): Introduced Aero design but faced criticism for performance issues.

• Windows 7 (2009): A refined and faster OS, widely praised.

• Windows 8 (2012): Introduced a touch-focused interface but met mixed reviews.

• Windows 8.1 (2013): Improved on criticisms of Windows 8 with better usability.

• Windows 10 (2015): Unified the Windows ecosystem across devices, offering regular updates instead of standalone versions.

• Windows 11 (2021): Redesigned interface with enhanced productivity and gaming features.

Source and Development (Windows)

Windows is proprietary software, meaning its source code is not publicly available. This closed-source approach allows Microsoft to maintain tight control over its ecosystem while offering extensive support and updates to its user base.

Windows Position Today

Windows dominates the desktop and laptop markets, powering over 70% of personal computers globally. It is widely used in corporate environments, gaming, and everyday consumer tasks. However, its mobile ventures, such as Windows Phone, struggled against Android and iOS, limiting its reach in the smartphone market.

History of Linux

Linux was born in 1991 when Linus Torvalds, a Finnish student, released the first version of the Linux kernel as an open-source project. Inspired by UNIX, Linux aimed to provide a free and flexible alternative. UNIX itself, developed in 1969 by AT&T's Bell Labs, laid the foundation for many operating systems. Over the years, Linux gained traction among developers, leading to the creation of various distributions (distros) like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.

Major Distributions of Linux and Their Versions

• Ubuntu: Popular for its user-friendliness, major versions include Ubuntu 4.10 (Warty Warthog), Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Bionic Beaver), and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish).

• Fedora: Known for its cutting-edge features, major releases include Fedora Core 1 (2003) and Fedora 37 (2022).

• Debian: The foundation for many distros, including Ubuntu; notable versions include Debian 2.0 (Hamm) and Debian 11 (Bullseye).

• Arch Linux: A rolling release distribution favored by advanced users.

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL): A commercial distribution, with notable releases like RHEL 5 and RHEL 9.

• CentOS: A community-supported RHEL clone, now transitioning to CentOS Stream.

• Linux Mint: Aimed at simplicity and usability, derived from Ubuntu and Debian.

Source and Development (Linux)

Linux’s open-source nature means anyone can view, modify, and distribute its source code. This model fosters collaboration and innovation, with contributions from individuals, communities, and corporations like Red Hat and Canonical. The open-source ethos also makes Linux highly customizable, suitable for servers, desktops, embedded systems, and more.

Linux Position Today

Linux powers the majority of the world’s servers, including those running websites, databases, and cloud infrastructure. It’s the foundation for Android, the dominant mobile operating system. While its desktop market share remains small (around 2-3%), Linux is beloved by tech enthusiasts, developers, and those seeking privacy and customization.

History of macOS

macOS, developed by Apple, traces its roots to NeXTSTEP, the operating system created by Steve Jobs' company NeXT. When Apple acquired NeXT in 1997, it laid the groundwork for macOS. The lineage of macOS can also be traced to UNIX, as it is certified as a UNIX-based system. Key milestones include:

• Classic Mac OS: Early versions include System 1 (1984), System 6 (1988), and System 7 (1991).

• Mac OS 8 (1997): Introduced significant interface improvements.

• Mac OS 9 (1999): The last version before the transition to Mac OS X.

• Mac OS X (2001): Introduced the Aqua interface and Unix-based underpinnings.

• macOS Sierra (2016): Brought Siri to desktops and enhanced cloud integration.

• macOS Ventura (2022): Focused on improving performance and interoperability with other Apple devices.

Source and Development (macOS)

macOS is a closed-source operating system, though it incorporates open-source components such as the XNU kernel. Apple’s approach focuses on tight integration between hardware and software, ensuring a seamless user experience within its ecosystem.

MacOS Position Today

macOS holds a strong position in creative industries, favored for its design, stability, and performance in tasks like video editing, graphic design, and music production. It has a market share of about 15%, appealing to both professionals and general users who value Apple's ecosystem.

UNIX

UNIX, developed in 1969 at AT&T’s Bell Labs by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others, was a revolutionary multiuser, multitasking operating system. Its portability and design principles became the foundation for many modern systems, including Linux and macOS. Over time, commercial versions of UNIX, like Solaris and AIX, emerged, catering to enterprise environments.

BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution)

BSD, derived from UNIX, originated at the University of California, Berkeley, in the late 1970s. It introduced innovations like the TCP/IP networking stack, which became the backbone of the internet. Various flavors of BSD, such as FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and NetBSD, are still actively developed today:

• FreeBSD: Known for performance and advanced networking features.

• OpenBSD: Focuses on security and correctness.

• NetBSD: Prioritizes portability across hardware platforms.

These systems, while not as widely used as Linux or Windows, are critical in server environments, firewalls, and embedded systems.