From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anoperating system (OS) is a kind ofcomputer program that helps acomputer to interact with other machines or with people. An OS is not actually one single program but a group of small programs, like file managers,device drivers, andkernels. An OS can be small (likeDamn Small Linux), or large (likeMicrosoft Windows). Some are meant for general use, like in apersonal computer or asmartphone. Others are used for specific purposes. For example, anATM would use a specialized kind of operating system.
An operating system has many jobs. It ensures that all the programs share access to the computer'sprocessor,memory,screen,input devices, and otherhardware. Today, most operating systems also include a visibleinterface so the user can easily interact with it. An operating system is also responsible for sending data to other computers or devices on anetwork.
One of the first computers wasENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), built by the United States during World War II.[1] Making ENIAC do useful work was difficult. To program ENIAC, scientists had to moveswitches andcables around on the side of the computer. While this was an operating system of a kind, it is not really like modern operating systems.
Video: Using an old UNIX system.
The first operating system that looked and felt like today's operating systems wasUNIX, made in 1969 byBell Labs. With UNIX, people could program computers by typing on a keyboard. Many of itsfeatures were taken fromMultics, an older operating system made in 1964.[1]
Operating systems come in many types. An OS might fit one or several of the types listed below, and the difference between the types isn't always clear.
A single-tasking system can only run one program at a time. Amultitasking operating system can run more than one program at the same time. To multitask, the computer lets each program take a turn using the processor.
Single-user operating systems don't let people create their own "accounts" on the computer—there is only one user. A multi-user operating system lets multiple users interact with the system at the same time.
A distributed operating system takes a group of distinct computers, which might be all over the place, and makes them work together like one single computer.
Embedded operating systems are very small OSes used inembedded systems. They are designed to operate on small machines, like the electronic part of amicrowave, and they only do a few particular things.
