OPERATING SYSTEM:– An operating system is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs
In a simpler way to say it acts as a mediator between you and your gadget
The operating system manages a computer’s hardware resources, including:
- Input devices such as a keyboard and mouse
- Output devices such as display monitors, printers and scanners
- Network devices such as modems, routers, and network connections
- Storage devices such as internal and external drives
THREE COMPONENTS OF OS
The OS consists of many components and features. Which features are defined as part of the OS vary with each OS? However, the three most easily defined components are:
- Kernel: This provides basic-level control over all of the computer hardware devices. The main roles include reading data from memory and writing data to memory, processing execution orders, determining how data is received and sent by devices such as the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and determining how to interpret data received from networks.
- User Interface: This component allows interaction with the user, which may occur through graphical icons and a desktop or through a command line.
- Application Programming Interfaces: This component allows application developers to write modular code.
Most Popular Desktop Operating Systems
The three most popular types of operating systems for personal and business computing include Linux, Windows, and Mac.
- WINDOWS
Microsoft Windows is a family of operating systems for personal and business computers. Windows dominates the personal computer world, offering a graphical user interface (GUI), virtual memory management, multitasking, and support for many peripheral devices.
- Mac
Mac OS is the official name of the Apple Macintosh operating system. Mac OS features a graphical user interface (GUI) that utilizes windows, icons, and all applications that run on a Macintosh computer have a similar user interface.
- Linux
Linux is a freely distributed open-source operating system that runs on a number of hardware platforms. The Linux kernel was developed mainly by Linus Torvalds and it is based on Unix.
Mobile Operating Systems
In the same way that a desktop OS controls your desktop or laptop computer, a mobile operating system is the software platform on top of which other programs can run on mobile devices, however, these systems are designed specifically to run on mobile devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers and other handhelds. The mobile OS is responsible for determining the functions and features available on your devices, such as a thumbwheel, keyboards, WAP, synchronization with applications, email, text messaging and more. The mobile OS will also determine which third-party applications (mobile apps) can be used on your device.
Types of Mobile Operating Systems
The four most popular types of operating systems used in mobiles.
- IOS
Apple’s very own operating system, iOS runs the company’s iPod, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch devices. It is only available on Apple products and responds to commands from the user’s fingertips. iOS features iTunes for music and the App Store for everything else. One of the benefits of the Apple operating system is its built-in video chatting and Apple Music capabilities.
- ANDROID
Android’s OS is owned by Google and is considered open-source to Apple’s closed system. With an open-source system, software developers can build applications and programs until their heart’s content and users reap the benefits of tons of free software.
- Windows
Microsoft is no stranger to computer operating systems but is a relative newcomer to a mobile OS. Its latest version uses the tiled layout common to its most recent computer OS. These tiles can be rearranged and moved to the user’s preferences.
- BlackBerry OS
A lesser-known, but still used OS is the one designed for BlackBerry devices, common among business users. The BlackBerry operating system is well-liked for its enhanced security and safety measures.
WOTECH 