10 Essential Examples of Operating Systems

  • Home
  • OS
  • Examples of Operating Systems

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:



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.


What others reading:
Read Article

10 Essential Examples of Application Software

In addition to hardware or machinery components, a computer device is bundled with various software developed ranging from low-level languages to high-level languages. Generally, computer software is divided into two types or categories, namely system software, and application software.



In this article, we are discussing or listing some common examples of application software along with their brief description. Each has a specific role and is widely used by the users. Before discussing the names or examples of application programs, let us first briefly discuss the introduction of application software along with its definition.


What is Application Software?

By the definition, “an application software (sometimes referred to as an app) is a computer program primarily designed to perform specific tasks and meet specific personal, education or business needs. It is also known as productivity software and end-user software.”


Although computers run or operate effectively with the combined function of system software and application software, application software is not actually mandatory. Instead, they are used in parallel with system software as they help to accomplish specific tasks, whether personal, educational, or commercial. Application software often simplifies certain tasks on a computer. Therefore, choosing ready-made application software or obtaining custom-built application software for certain needs can make a significant impact on any business.


What are the examples of Application Software?

There is a wide range of application software on the Internet that users can install on their computers based on specific needs or use cases. It is almost impossible to include all the application software names in a single article because at the time we are reading this article, there may be one or more application software launched on the internet at the same time.


Below, we discuss some of the most common names or examples of application software that we can find on most computers nowadays:



Examples of Application Software

Notepad

Notepad is the inbuilt application software in all versions of the Windows operating system. It is a basic text editor application especially used for creating, editing, and saving plain text documents (.txt). However, it can also be used to edit other compatible formats such as INI files, batch files, and log files. In addition, we can also use Notepad to read/write plain text encoded in ASCII, UTF-8, and UTF-16. It enables us to create basic HTML documents using Notepad on Windows.


Generally, Notepad is known for simple text manipulation features such as finding and replacing a specific text. Most people use this application software to paste formatted text and then copy it back to get the data as raw text. Since the application supports very few features, there are very few keyboard shortcuts to use within Notepad. It supports simple shortcut commands like New, Open, Save, Zoom in, Zoom out, etc.


Although it is a general text editor, it enables users to print files or content. We also get options to set preferences for header, footer, margin, etc., before printing. It is important to note that we can only open a text file up to 1 GB in Notepad as of the latest version that comes with Windows 11. To perform advanced text-based operations, we can try other application software like Notepad++.


Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is one of the most popular and widely used software for word processing. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite and includes a wide range of features desired for writing, editing, formatting, saving, sharing, and opening various document formats on a computer. We can also call it an advanced text editor which enables us to represent the content more professionally and effectively.


Common features of Word include formatting text with different colors and styles, paragraph formatting, bordering, grammar and spell checking, table support, adding images or clip art, etc. Although this application software is not intentionally made for image editing, we can find it somewhat easier to manipulate images with Word to some extent as it provides basic graphic manipulating tools.



Microsoft Word usually comes preinstalled on Windows-based computers because it is a Microsoft product. It can be preinstalled on a trial basis or a lifetime version depending on the price we pay when assembling our computer system. In addition, this application software is also available on other platforms such as iOS, macOS, and Android operating systems.


Microsoft Excel

Like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel is another popular application software that comes with the Office suite. Excel is one of the most popular spreadsheet software that enables us to record huge data sets within cells and perform calculations. We can record text, numbers, dates, times, and other forms of data in these cells. Also, formulas are applied using one or more cells with data to get the desired result.


Apart from calculations, Excel can also help us create forms, reports, dashboards, or charts based on numerical data for better analysis. In addition, it allows data formatting, sorting, filtering, reconstruction, and more. With its powerful capabilities, Excel has become one of the most useful applications for finance and business people over time.


Like MS Word, Excel is also available for other popular platforms such as iOS, macOS, and Android. It can be used on a trial basis or can be purchased for a lifetime. Prices vary from version to version and are based on usages such as personal, family, or business.


Paint

Paint is a very popular application software found on Windows computers. It is used to manipulate images or graphics content. This application software can open and save files in JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and some other image formats. Since it comes installed with the Windows operating system, it became one of the most used graphic applications in its early days.


For most beginners, especially children, the Paint application is a kind of entertainment software. Many people use this application to start painting digitally on a computer for the first time. However, it is still widely used for basic image manipulation due to its simplicity and fast performance.


Microsoft also came up with an additional application software called Paint 3D to replace the original Paint application. However, the Paint application continued its usefulness and popularity, forcing Microsoft to introduce an updated version of Paint with the Windows 11 operating system. In addition to Paint, there are many other graphics and design application software for advanced operations. For example, Adobe Photoshop, Cyberlink Photodirector, Corel Draw, AutoCAD, etc. Each of these applications has distinct features to meet certain needs.


OneDrive

Microsoft OneDrive (initially called SkyDrive) is an online cloud service that helps to manage our data on servers. It enables users to store, edit, delete, protect and share data with others. This application software is pushed through software updates to Windows users with their latest operating system. However, we can also download and install it manually on our computers.


Users usually get 5 GB of free storage space with free Microsoft accounts. However, it can be upgraded to a higher level as per the requirement by paying a decent amount for the paid subscription. When installed on the device, this application software creates a default location with a folder called OneDrive where we can save our files which will be automatically synced or uploaded to the connected account server.


One advantage of OneDrive is that we can use it on multiple devices. In addition, it can be accessed through the web using modern browsers. This creates somewhat easier access to cloud storage space, allowing users to manage their content from everywhere. By default, Microsoft Office for the Web uses OneDrive to store Office documents. Due to cloud space, it becomes easy for people from different places to work on the same document simultaneously.


Skype

Skype is the world's most popular messaging, voice, and video chat application. This application software facilitates communication between different people or devices over the internet. It enables users to create conference calls with up to 25 people simultaneously, allowing them to connect with family, friends, or colleagues. However, everyone must have Skype installed on their devices.


The desktop version of Skype is free for Windows users and can be installed like any other typical application software. In addition to Windows operating systems, the Skype application is also available free for iOS, macOS, Android, and Linux. Although it's technically free to use over the Internet, users need to pay for a subscription if they need to make direct calls to any cell phone or landline number.


Some of the notable features of Skype include file sharing, screen sharing, call recording, and more. Unlike other group meeting applications, Skype somewhat offers longer duration meetings per session. This typically limits calls to four hours, with a total of 10 hours per day and 100 hours per month.


VLC

VLC Media Player is well-known application software that enables users to play various multimedia files on computers. It can play songs, videos, and even large size movies efficiently. Due to the multiple file type's support, it is made compatible with a wide range of file formats or extensions like MP3, MP4, WMV, AVI, MKV, etc. In addition, it also supports network playback and network shares.


One of the major advantages of VLC is that it is free to use open-source application software. Due to its easy user interface, fast performance, and multiple multimedia file support, VLC has become one of the best media player applications for the Windows operating system. VLC is available for all versions of Windows, easily supporting almost every audio and video compression process and file format.


Apart from the Windows operating system, VLC is also available for other popular platforms such as iOS, macOS, Android, and even several Linux distributions. This makes VLC a cross-platform multimedia player.


Google Chrome

Google Chrome is one of the most used application software in the world under the category of web browsers. It is fast, free, easy-to-use, cross-platform web application software available for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux distributions.


Google Chrome also serves as a platform for various browser app extensions. There are a variety of extensions available on the Google Web Store that we can use to enhance or add new functions to the browser. In addition, various themes are also available to change the look and feel of the interface within the browser.


When it comes to security, Google is very serious about it. The browser receives regular updates to enhance security and privacy features. In addition, users can browse the Internet using the private (incognito) mode to keep details such as their IP address and browsing history secure. Some of the notable features of Chrome include fast downloads, data saving, voice search, built-in translator, data sync across multiple devices, and more.


Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat is a family of multiple application software developed by Adobe Inc. Often called Reader, it is one of the most popular desktop application software used by many people across the world. It is commonly used to open, view, and print PDF documents. An advantage of this application software is that it is free to use with a minimal and clean user interface.


Apart from a freeware version of Acrobat Reader, users can also get its premium version to access additional features such as editing or manipulating text and images in PDF, scanning signatures, encrypting PDF, sharing PDF among others, and converting into other document formats such as Word or Excel, etc.


Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for multiple platforms such as Windows, iOS, macOS, and Android. Documents can be synchronized to the cloud to be accessed across different devices. Cloud support also helps in easy sharing and collaboration.


WinRAR

WinRAR is one of the essential application software for Windows users. Although WinRAR is primarily Windows-only software, related programs are also available for other platforms with different names. It is primarily known as file compression and management software. This application software comes as trialware, which means users can try out the features for a few days. After the trial period is over, users must obtain a paid subscription to continue using the software.


Specifically, WinRAR software is used to compress or archive multiple files of different formats into a single compressed file with a size significantly smaller than the total size of the individual files. Thus, the software helps us to save disk space and further share it easily on the internet. In addition, we can also decompress, unarchive, unpack or extract compressed file formats like RAR, ZIP, etc.


WinRAR is much more than just a compressor-decompressor. Apart from this, there are many other special features. Some additional features of this application software include built-in tools to repair broken or damaged archives, encrypt with a password, split large files into multiple smaller parts, open compressed files as previews without extracting or decompressing, etc.


Defining Application Software Examples by their Types

As we said earlier, we cannot cover all application software in one article. However, we describe some other common examples of application software below and divide them based on certain types or categories of application software:


Application Software Type Application Software Examples
Word Processing Software Microsoft Word, G Docs, OpenOffice Docs, etc.
Spreadsheet Software Microsoft Excel, Google Spreadsheet, OpenOffice sheet, etc.
Presentation Software Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, Adobe Spark, etc.
Web Browsers Software Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, etc.
Educational Software MATLAB, Google Classroom, etc.
Multimedia Software Spotify, WMP, VLC Player, GOM Player, Real Player, etc.
Graphics Software Adobe Photoshop, Gimp, Corel Draw, etc.
Communication Software Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, Discord, Outlook, Google Meet, etc.
Database Application Software Microsoft Access, DBMS, Oracle, MySQL, MongoDB, etc.
Simulation Software PCB Software, VLSI Simulation
Others Google Maps, WinZip, 7zip, Viruses, Games, etc.

Summary

This article discusses some common examples of application software. However, they are not limited to those discussed in the article here. They are unlimited and one can get his/her customized application software developed by professional programmers by paying a decent amount to get their specific task done. These days, most of the applications we see on our smartphones, especially those downloaded from the App Store, are the best examples of application software.


What others reading:
Read Article