Whether we are using desktops, laptops, smartphones, video game consoles, or
other similar electronic devices, the first software we use after starting
these devices is usually an operating system. An operating system is the
core software used by every modern computing device, which allows users to
operate the associated device without us noticing. There are a variety of
operating systems specifically designed to run on specific hardware and
support specific applications.
In this article, we are discussing some of the most popular examples of
operating systems that exist to be used on various devices for specific
requirements. However, before we discuss the examples of operating systems,
let us first briefly introduce the definition of an operating system.
What is an Operating System?
By the definition, “an operating system (also called an OS) refers to a specially
designed program or software that acts as an interface between the
computer hardware and the user, while performing all the basic
operations or functioning of a computer such as handling the connected
I/O devices, memory management, process management, file management,
etc.”
Computer devices must have at least one operating system installed in order
to perform basic functions or allow other programs such as browsers to run.
The choice of using an operating system on desktop and laptop computers can
vary depending on the user's interest as users get the flexibility to
install the desired operating system accordingly. However, this is not
always the case with other devices, especially mobile devices.
Generally, mobile devices, tablets, gaming devices, and other similar
electronic devices come with a specific operating system specifically
designed for the respective device by their manufacturer. Users do not get
the option to install any other desired operating system on such devices.
They can be upgraded to a newer version only if provided by the
manufacturer. However, some such devices can be modified accordingly by
users with advanced programming and development knowledge.
What are examples of operating systems?
Nowadays, a wide range of operating systems are available to be used on
various devices like mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc., and even the new
ones are coming up with distinctive features. Although there are many
operating systems for different devices with different features from each
other, the following listed are some of the best and most notable examples
of popular operating systems:
.png "Examples of Operating Systems")
Microsoft Windows
Since 1985, the Windows operating system has received several minor updates
as well as major upgrades. In 1985, the first version of Windows (Windows
1.0) was released as a
GUI-based version or extension to MS-DOS. MS-DOS (released in 1981) was a
non-graphical command line OS designed primarily for IBM computers. Although
DOS
is not much popular today, the command shell (called Windows Command-Line)
is still present in the Windows OS and is frequently used by users.
Windows 95 (released in 1995) was the first Windows operating system sold as
a standalone OS. It led the rapid development in the field of personal
computing with its user-friendly interface. Although Windows 95 seemed to be
an operating system in itself, it was built on top of DOS which continued to
operate in the background. With Windows XP released in 2001, Microsoft left
DOS and switched to the modern 32-bit Windows NT kernel.
Windows OS has since been one of the most popular operating systems for
business and home computers in the world. Nowadays, most modern computers
come with Microsoft Windows OS preinstalled. Also, some mobile phones come
with Windows
Mobile
OS as well. However, the compatibility and usability of Windows on mobile
phones were not liked by the users as expected. So far, Microsoft has
developed, marketed, and sold a range of Windows operating systems such as
Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7/8/10/11, etc.
Android
Android is currently the most popular operating system in the world based on
the number of devices installed. Although Android is primarily designed for
mobile devices (smartphones) and tablets, it has become one of the main
competitors to Windows and Apple’s operating systems. This mobile operating
system is designed as a modified version of the Linux kernel in combination
with some open-source software.
Android is developed by a consortium of developers known as the Open Handset
Alliance and is commercially sponsored by Google. Initially, Android
(version 1.0) was released in 2008 with the first commercial Android device
called the
HTC
Dream. Since then it has gained a lot of popularity and continues to grow
with new updates and amazing features.
Unlike
iOS, Android OS can be used by many mobile manufacturers, not just Google. In
addition, the manufacturers get access to edit some components to make the
OS easier to use for users or to add specific features to suit their needs.
Similarly, users can also install custom versions of operating systems
modified by themselves or other developers. However, most of the users
prefer to use the official OS provided by the respective manufacturer due to
its stable performance, enhanced security, and warranty purposes. Android
allows users to choose from a wide range of mobile applications to install
from the Google Play Store.
iOS
Although designed specifically for Apple mobile devices such as the iPhone,
iPad (which has now its own iPadOS), and iPod Touch, iOS (formerly
iPhone OS) is the second most popular and widely installed mobile
operating system after Android. iOS is created and maintained by Apple and
is not provided for other manufacturers to use. Apple rebranded the ‘iPhone
OS’ name to 'iOS' in 2010.
Initially, iOS (version 1) was released with the first iPhone (also known as
iPhone 2G, iPhone 1, and iPhone Original) in 2007 without support for
third-party native applications. Later in 2008, Apple introduced the iOS App
Store, providing support for third-party applications that took advantage of
the iPhone
SDK.
Nowadays, users of iOS have access to countless applications. The operating
system is primarily known for its strong encryption features and unique user
interface. With regular updates and tweaks, iOS has become a proven stable
mobile operating system for Apple iPhone hardware, with many unique features
like
iMessage, iCloud, Apple Pay, Siri, Face ID, FaceTime, Safari, Built-in
Gestures,
etc.
macOS
Like
Windows, macOS (initially called 'Mac OS X') is also a series of graphical
operating systems. Initially called 'Mac OS X', it was shortened to 'OS X' in 2012 and then rebranded as 'macOS' in 2016. This proprietary operating
system is developed, marketed, and sold by the Apple company. It is an
operating system that only comes installed with Apple's Mac computers and
workstations.
The macOS is the second most used desktop operating system in the world
after Windows. The first desktop version of macOS (Mac OS X 10.0) was
released in 2001. The OS is based on parts of the early Unix operating
systems and similarly shares some core features. Although the graphical
interfaces are different, many of the underlying program interfaces and CMD
features of macOS are similar to those of the Unix-based operating system
Linux.
Apple's mobile operating system, iOS, is a variant of macOS. Apple's
operating systems are best known for security, encryption, user-friendly
interface, performance, and many unique features. Signature features of
macOS include
unique keyboard keys like the Command key, stoplight-colored buttons to
help us resize application windows, and the Dock used to find applications
or files.
Chrome OS
Chrome OS (or ChromeOS) is a popular operating system built or developed on
top of the Linux kernel by the
Google
Company. Although initially based on Ubuntu, the base element in Chrome OS
was later changed to Google's self-designed Linux. Besides, it is derived
from free software called Chromium OS and utilizes the Chrome browser as its
primary user interface.
The first public version of Chrome OS was released in 2011 with
Samsung-designed Chromebooks (computers specifically designed to run only
Chrome OS). Later, other manufacturers also adopted Chrome OS and released
Chromebooks with their own branding. In 2013, Google itself came up with its
own built/manufactured Chromebook Pixel.
Originally, Chrome OS was developed only for Chromebook users. However, it
was made available for other
PCs
and Macs that could be used or installed via USB as a bootable OS. The
latest version of Chrome OS supports a wide range of progressive web
applications, Chrome applications as well as Android applications from the
Play Store.
Google has worked on many segments and tweaks to make Chrome OS more usable,
secure, and packed with essential features while keeping the performance
stable even with low hardware resources. According to reports and market
data by various research companies, Chrome OS has overtaken macOS based on
installed devices in several different quarters, sometimes claiming the spot
of the second most popular desktop OS after Windows.
UNIX
UNIX is a multitasking, multiuser, powerful computer operating system
developed in 1969 by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and some other
members of AT&T Laboratories. It was primarily designed to be used
inside Bell's Labs Research Center. However, it was later licensed to
several other outside parties, which further continued the development.
UNIX has been the base for many modern operating systems with continued
development since then, such as Linux, Sun Solaris, and even Mac OS X. Linux
itself became very popular and its packaged form became known as the
GNU/Linux distribution. There are also many Linux distributions for a wide
variety of machines with unique features, both free and paid.
UNIX-based operating systems are still widely used as the base in many
modern computers, workstations, servers, and even mobiles. Although there
are different variations of
UNIX, they all share many things in common. Like other operating systems,
UNIX-based operating systems also have a graphical interface to make it
easier for users to use.
The UNIX operating system is considered the heart of many operating systems
and typically includes the following three main elements: the kernel, the
shell, and the programs. Key features of UNIX include
simplicity, portability (can run on different systems), multitasking and
multiuser capabilities, the availability of a hierarchical file system,
and an extensive library of software.
Linux
Linux (technically the Linux kernel) is one of the most prominent examples
of free and open-source operating systems. It is commonly known as a
Unix-like OS based on the Linux kernel (the core element of the Linux OS)
and developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Although originally created
by Linus Torvalds, Linux has been developed by programmers around the world.
They collaborate by modifying its source code and then submitting changes to
the central kernel software and related programs for review.
Unlike other popular operating systems such as Windows and
macOS, Linux is not an operating system with a graphical interface and common
software such as browsers, media apps, word processors, etc. Instead, it has
multiple distributions with similar features. There are hundreds of
distributions of Linux. In all such distributions, Linux sits underneath all
running software as the base operating system software.
Being open-source, Linux (technically its kernel) source code can be used,
edited, and distributed commercially or non-commercially by anyone who
complies with certain terms of its respective license (i.e., the
GNU
General Public License). Ubuntu is a popular non-commercial distribution,
while Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a popular commercial distribution.
Initially, Linux was designed to be used only on personal computers.
However, it was later ported to many more platforms, making it the base
element for many operating systems. It not only powers computers and
smartphones, but also various embedded systems such as
routers, video game consoles, digital video recorders, smartwatches,
televisions, automobile controls,
etc.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a free-to-use, open-source, Linux-based operating system. It is
suitable for computers, smartphones, and network servers. The operating
system comes with all the necessary programs like
browser, media app, email, office suite, etc. In addition, there are
thousands of third-party applications that can be installed from the Ubuntu
Software Center.
The initial version of Ubuntu OS (version 4.10) was released in 2004. Since
then, there have been many other versions. Each Ubuntu release has a version
number consisting of the respective release year followed by the
corresponding month number. Ubuntu can be installed as a standalone OS, used
as a bootable OS via
USB, or run through emulator programs on various operating systems such as
Windows.
The current version of Ubuntu Desktop supports almost all the common
software that exists for Windows. With a built-in firewall and virus
protection, Ubuntu is considered to be one of the most secure operating
systems. In addition, updates are pushed constantly for Ubuntu users to
enhance security or add more features to OS.
Fedora
Fedora is another widely known open-source operating system for computer
devices and is based on the Linux OS kernel architecture. It is a strongly
secure, general-purpose operating system developed under the Fedora Project
and sponsored by Red Hat, an
IBM
subsidiary. An initial version of this OS (called Fedora Core 1) was
released in 2003.
Fedora always aims to release two major upgrades every year. Although the
Fedora official support cycle is short, it lets users easily upgrade from
one version to another without having to reinstall the entire OS again and
again. Fedora is a free-to-use OS for everyone, with additional permissions
to modify and distribute it accordingly.
There are over hundreds of distributions working on top of Fedora, including
Red Hat Enterprise Linux and the XO operating system. Furthermore, Fedora is
known for its usefulness as the second most used Linux distribution after
Ubuntu. Although Fedora is not as flashy as Ubuntu, it is a viable operating
system for users, especially who prefer Linux, due to its
solid base, excellent Flatpak/Snap support, wide software availability,
and rapid release of new features over frequent software updates.
BlackBerry OS
Blackberry OS was one of the popular mobile operating systems developed by
the Canadian company Blackberry for its series of smartphones. Initially,
the OS (version 3.6) for the smartphone named BlackBerry 5810 was released
in 2002. Blackberry OS was liked by the people for its new and exclusive
features such as a
QWERTY keyboard, strong support for multitasking, trackball, and push
internet
email. However, all such features were later adopted by other popular operating
systems and manufacturers.
Although BlackBerry gained considerable popularity, it lost out to Apple and
Samsung for dominance of the smartphone market. One of BlackBerry's big
mistakes was that the company primarily favored enterprises and businessmen
over the tastes and preferences of regular customers. Also, Blackberry did
not change its operating system to match the new offerings from its
competitors and at the same time retain the same physical model for its
smartphone, which also generated less interest from users. The option to
install apps in BlackBerry OS was limited as there were very few apps
available.
Despite being one of the first smartphones, Blackberry failed to understand
the changing environment in the smartphone market and could not innovate or
act accordingly. BlackBerry OS was discontinued in 2013 with the release of
its redesigned BlackBerry 10. However, the company continued to offer
support for devices running the older BlackBerry OS until the end of 2013.
In early 2022, BlackBerry completely stopped supporting all of its operating
systems, essentially making its iconic smartphones nearly obsolete.
Summary
An operating system is a part of system software that manages the various
essential programs, services, and applications needed to run or function by
computer systems or mobile devices. It is responsible for managing the
hardware and software functions of the device. It is not possible for
computing devices to run without an operating system.
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