The revolution of OS began in the 1980s with the free software movement and GNU project commonly associated with Linux and the open-source movement. The Windows operating system has dominated the computer industry, but it soon changed as it faced a strong challenge from a new operating system named GNU/Linux. The developers created GNU/Linux as an antithesis to Microsoft’s closed source software. GNU/Linux came to be because of the combined effort of Linus Torvalds, who developed the Linux, and Richard Stallman, who is the founder of the GNU project and founding father of the free software movement.
Before there could be Linux, there was Richard Stallman and free software; through his efforts to build the GNU operating system, he created the legal, philosophical, and technological foundation for the free software movement, which centered on the belief that computer software should be accessible both in economic and intellectual senses of the world, in support of the copyleft.
What is an Operating system ?
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs. It is an integrated part of a computer system, and it acts as a bridge between hardware and software.
Operating systems are mainly related to technology and computer systems. After being loaded into the computer by an initial boot program, the operating system manages a computer’s resources, controlling the flow of information into and from a central processor in the computer system.
Issues regarding Operating system software
Many issues circles around the fact that different flavor of operating software provides different features and different UIs. Along with that it also focuses on Free Software movement and Copyleft concept.
- Understanding Linux
Linux is a family of open-source operating systems (OS) based on the Linux Kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds.
Every Linux-based OS involves the Linux Kernel, which manages hardware resources and a set of software packages that make up the rest of the operating system. The OS includes some common core components like the GNU tools, among others. The OS sits between applicants and hardware and makes connections between all of our software and the physical resources that do the work. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution.
- Richard Stallman and Free Software Movement
Richard Stallman is the American free software movement activist and programmer. He campaigns for software to be distributed in a manner such that its users receive certain freedoms to run the software for, namely the freedoms to run the software, to study the software, to modify the software, and share copies of the software. The software which meets these requirements is termed free software.
- Concept of Copyleft
Copyleft is a general method for making a program free and requiring all modified and extended versions of the program to be free as well. The simplest way to make program-free software is to put it in the public domain uncopyrighted. This allows people to share the program and their improvements if they are so minded. But it also allows uncooperative people to convert the program into proprietary software.
Types of Operating system
There are hundreds of Operating software in the market right now. Some are popular and some are not that popular. Not being popular does not mean it is less useful. All operating system software has their own field to work on. Some popular Operating systems are :
- Windows
- Mac OS
- Linux
These three operating software has dominated the market since the beginning. Windows has occupied nearly 74% of the market, Mac has occupied nearly 15% and 3% by linux. Remaining is dominated by other OS like BDS, Red Hat and so on. An operating system can be made with the help of many different programming languages that supports GUI functionality. following the success of Computer based OSs mobile OS has also hugely developed in recent years. Mainly 2 OS : Android and IOS dominates Mobile platform. Not only because they are popular but also user friendly. Being a mobile os they can work in any system compactable mobile device which makes them very portable and also easy to use.
What’s the next step ?
Revolution of OS has been witnessed, shaping the world for a more remarkable change and a better future.
- Replacement of Windows OS to Linux OS for server management and process management.
- Windows Systems are being used abundantly nowadays; that is why Linux is recommended because it cannot reboot the system for updates.
- Linux is faster, secure, and better optimizing than Windows OS.
- Linux can be used in cloud computing, a revolutionary system in today’s era.
- Most of the software offered for the Linux OS is completely free and easy to install.
