MICROSOFT WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEMS
Dear reader,
In my previous articles, we discussed the history of computers, software history and evolution of hardware concepts. Now, I would like to share my views on Operating System. Mainly I am focusing in this article about the meaning of Operating system and evolution of Windows Operating systems.
Let's begin with meaning and purpose of an Operating system.
Operating System(shortly OS) is the most important software in any computer system. As I discussed in my previous article software history, software can be classified into two categories. They are System Software and Application Software. Operating System comes under System Software category. Operating System is a specialized software, designed for utilizing our computer system properly.
Almost every computer has its own operating system. This operating system takes the responsibility to handle all other programs, applications, and even other hardware components. In performing every task in a computer system, operating system plays a vital role. By simply saying, without an operating system, our computer is useless. An operating system performs I/O management, Memory management, Multi-tasking, Peripheral management, Security management and everything. That means an operating system acts as a mediator between the computer and the user. Operating Systems can be mainly classified into the following types.
Multi-User Operating System:
This type of operating systems permits two or more users to do operations at the same time. Now a day's an operating system allows hundreds of users to work concurrently(performing different tasks at the same time). Ex: Windows NT, UNIX.
Multi-Processing Operating System:
Multiprocessing operating system allows, use of more than one CPU (Central Processing Units) in a single computer system. These CPUs share common computer peripherals like memory, bus and other. These systems are also known as Tightly Coupled Systems.
Multi-Tasking Operating Systems:
Multitasking operating systems allow, run more than one program at a time. That means multiple programs are running concurrently. To do this, Operating systems follows Scheduling concepts.
Multi-Threading Operating Systems:
Multithreading means dividing/splitting a single program into more small tasks and execute them concurrently.
Real-Time Operating Systems:
These operating systems respond to given input instantly. Ex: General purpose operating systems like DOS and UNIX.
As we discussed in the beginning of this article, we must take help from operating system to do any task. For this, we have to interact with the operating system. This interaction can be done with commands. Ex: in DOS for copying files we use COPY command. These commands are the takeover of the operating system and executed by the processor. Suppose, if you are using Graphical User Interface, you can do this by clicking the objects that are visible on the screen.
Now it is the time to take a journey of Microsoft's Windows operating Systems. Windows operating systems owned by Microsoft. This journey starts to form the year 1985. Microsoft windows is a user-friendly operating system, mainly target to personal computers.
Microsoft Disk Operating Systems(MS-DOS):
DOS was originally developed by Microsoft for IBM compatible personal computers. Initially, DOS is very similar to CP/M(Central Program for Microcomputers). Later it was adopted to minicomputers. DOS is purely command based oriented operating system.
Windows 1.0:
Windows 1.0 was introduced by Microsoft in the year 1985. The window was named because of computing boxes. Unlike DOS, Windows 1.0 allowed users, they can point an object and choose the particular object by click with a mouse(input device).
Windows 2.0:
Windows 3.0:
Windows 3.0 was released by Microsoft in the year 1990, by introducing better icons , graphics with 16 color for Intel 386 processor. This version supports File management, Program management, Print management, games like Minesweeper, Solitaire and Hears.
Windows 3.1:
Windows 3.1 was released by Microsoft in the year 1992. In this version, icons come with can drag and drop feature. It was the first version of windows distributed with CD-ROM. This version also introduced Window Registry, Centralized Database, History Management.
Windows 95:
Windows 95 was released by Microsoft in the year 1995. It supports 32-bit applications. This version improved with windows control and appearance control, Desktop design, right button menu, help system, task bar, start menu and built-in network support with dial-up for different protocols. This is the first Windows operating system which allows file with long names. It also supports with Plug-and-Play feature with hardware components.
Windows 98:
Windows 98 was released by Microsoft in the year 1998. It comes with a lot of new technologies like FAT32(File Allocation Table, data stored in chunk of 32 bits), AGP(Accelerated Graphics Port), MMX(Multi Media eXtensions), DVD(Digital Versatile Disk), USB(Universal Serial Bus), ACPI(Advanced Configuration and Power Interface).
Windows ME:
Windows NT 3.1 - 4.0:
Windows NT(New Technology) versions 3.1 to 4.0 were released in the mid years 1993 to 1996. It is an 32-bit operating system which supports preemptive(by interrupting running task for some time and then resumed after some time when the more priority task has finished its execution) multitasking. This version is mainly focused on Client-Server technology.
Windows 2000:
Windows Xp:
Windows Vista:
Windows 7:
Windows 7 was released in the year 2009, October 22. It allows multi-touch support, IE8(Internet Explorer), virtual had disks, improved media player and great security features.
Windows 8:
Windows 10:
With this whole journey, I hope you should understand the various versions and their features of Microsoft Windows Operating System.
See you with my next interesting article. Please feel free to give any comments and suggestions in the below section.
Thank You.
