How Can I Determine Which Operating System is On My Computer?

An operating system (OS) is the system software in an electronic computer system that is responsible for supporting the operating environment of application programs and the user's operating environment. It is also the core and cornerstone of a computer system. Its responsibilities often include direct supervision of hardware, management of various computing resources (such as memory, processor time, etc.), and provision of application-oriented services such as job management, and so on.

Computer operating system

(Computer System Software)

The operating system is system software (or program collection) that facilitates users, manages, and controls computer software and hardware resources. From the perspective of the user, the operating system can be seen as an extension of computer hardware; from the perspective of human-computer interaction, the operating system is the interface between the user and the machine; from the perspective of the computer system structure, the operating system is a hierarchical and modular structure The program collection belongs to the ordered hierarchical method, which is an ordered hierarchical call of unordered modules. The design of the operating system reflects the combination of computer technology and management technology.
The main goal of configuring an operating system on a computer system is first related to the size of the computer system. Generally, for the OS configured in large and medium-sized computer systems, because the computer is expensive, the effectiveness of the machine is more valued, and the OS is also expected to have very strong functions; but for the computer operating system configured in the microcomputer, because the microcomputer The price is relatively cheap, at this time the effectiveness of the use of the machine becomes less important, and people are more concerned about the convenience of use.
Another important factor affecting the main goal of an operating system is the application environment of the operating system. For example, the operating system used in the query system should meet the user's requirements for response time; for the OS applied in the real-time industrial control and weapon control environment, the OS must be real-time and highly reliable.
At present, the common operating systems on the computer are DOS, OS / 2, UNIX, XENIX, LINUX, Windows, Netware, and so on. But all operating systems have the four basic characteristics of concurrency, sharing, virtualization and uncertainty.
Operating systems can be roughly divided into 6 types.
Simple operating system. It is the operating system configured in the early stage of the computer, such as IBM's disk operating system DOS / 360 and microcomputer operating system CP / M. The functions of this type of operating system are mainly the execution of operation commands, file services, support for high-level programming language compilers, and control of external devices.
Time-sharing system. It supports multiple users at different terminals using a computer at the same time, independent of each other without interference, and the user feels as if one computer is all for him.
Real-time operating system. It is an operating system configured for real-time computer systems. Its main feature is that resource allocation and scheduling must first consider real-time performance and then efficiency. In addition, the real-time operating system should have strong fault tolerance.
Network operating system. It is an operating system configured for computer networks. With its support, the computers in the network can communicate with each other and share resources. Its main characteristic is to combine with the hardware of the network to complete the communication task of the network.
Distributed operating system. It is an operating system configured for distributed computing systems. It differs greatly from other operating systems in terms of resource management, communication control, and the structure of the operating system. Because the resources of the distributed computer system are distributed on different computers in the system, the resource requirements of the operating system for users cannot be simply allocated in the same way as ordinary operating systems wait for resources to be allocated directly. The required resources can only be allocated. For some resources, such as files with multiple copies, consistency must also be considered. The so-called consistency means that several users read the same data at the same time. In order to ensure consistency, the operating system must control the reading, writing, and operation of files, so that multiple users can read a file at the same time, and at most one time only one user can modify the file. The communication function of the distributed operating system is similar to the network operating system. Because the distributed computer system is not as widely distributed as the network, and the distributed operating system also needs to support parallel processing, the communication mechanism it provides is different from that provided by the network operating system, which requires high communication speed. The structure of the distributed operating system is also different from other operating systems. It is distributed on each computer of the system, and can process the various needs of users in parallel, and has strong fault tolerance.
Intelligent operating system (see Intelligent software).
Early operating system (patent protected)
TRS-DOS, ROM OS's
TI99-4
Commodore PET, 64, and VIC-20,
The first set of IBM-PC
Apple Computer
Sinclair Micro, QnX, etc.
Non-Unix commercial operating system
CPM operating system
MP / M-80
UCSD P-system
Mini-FLEX
SSB-DOS
CP / M-86
DR-DOS
FreeDOS
MS-DOS
PC-DOS
Mach research by Carnegie Mellon University
L4 microkernel second generation microkernel
CHORUS
Choices
Multics
OS-9
NSJ
Netware: a network server operating system
Unix and similar systems
A / UX (Apple UNIX)
Unix
Microsoft Xenix
ChorusOS
Cromix
UNIflex
OS-9
IBM's AIX
BSD
FreeBSD
NetBSD
OpenBSD
DragonFly BSD
PC-BSD
Digital UNIX, later Compaq Tru64
DNIX
HP's HP-UX
GNU / Hurd
SGI's IRIX
Inferno
Linux (or GNU / Linux)
Mac OS X
MenuetOS
Minix
OSF / 1
Plan9
SCO SCO UNIX
Sun's SunOS, later Solaris
System V
Ultrix
UniCOS
Kylin operating system (Kylin), a server operating system developed by five units of National University of Defense Technology, ChinaSoft, Lenovo, Inspur and National Stella
OS / 390
z / OS
Syllable
other
Acorn
Arthur
ARX
RISC OS
RISCiX
Amiga
AmigaOS
Atari ST
TOS
MultiTOS
MiNT
Apple Computer (Apple / Macintosh)
Apple DOS
ProDOS
Mac OS
Mac OS X
pink OS
BeOS
A / UX
Be
BeOS
BeIA
Digital / Compaq
AIS
OS-8
RSTS / E
RSX-11
RT-11
TOPS-10
TOPS-20
VMS (later renamed OpenVMS)
IBM
OS / 2
AIX
OS / 400
OS / 390
VM / CMS
DOS / VSE
VSE / SP
VSE / ESA
OS / 360
MFT
MVT
SVS
MVS
TPF
ALCS
z / OS
PC-DOS
pink OS
Microsoft
MS-DOS
Xenix
Microsoft Bob
MS-DOS based Windows
Windows 1.0
Windows 2.0
Windows 3.1
windows 3.2
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows NT 3.5
Windows NT 4
Windows 2.00
Windows XP
Windows XP SP1
Windows XP SP2
Windows XP SP3
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Windows XP Home Edition
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista
Windows Vista SP1
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Starter
Novell
NetWare
Unixware
SUSE Linux
NeXT
NEXTSTEP (i.e. Mac OS X later)
Plan 9
Inferno
Prime Computer
Primos
Siemens
BS2000-Mainframe for Siemens.
SINIX (also known as Reliant UNIX)-UNIX computer system for Siemens.
Personal electronic assistant (PDA) operating system
Palm OS
Pocket PC
EPOC
Microsoft Windows CE
Linux
Smartphone operating system
Windows Mobile series
Embedded Linux was created by Montavista and used on Motorola's A760, E680 and other models
Mobilinux was created by Montavista
Symbian OS series
Other operating systems
Dynamically Scalable Operating System
Exo Kernel at MIT
University of Washington's SPIN
Harvard's VINO
Choices at illinois University
ReactOS
Since Microsoft introduced Windows 1.0 in 1985, the Windows system has experienced more than ten years of ups and downs. From the original running under DOS
windows95 operating system
Windows 3.x, now popular worldwide Windows 9x, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Win 7, Win 8.
Windows took the place of DOS. Vibrant colors, great music, unprecedented ease of use, and exciting multitasking make computer operation a pleasure. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can complete the work. You can also use the "CD player" to write CDs and write articles in WORD. This is a leisurely thing. These are all gifts for Windows. The original Windows 3.x system was just a 16-bit application for DOS. However, functions such as clipboard and file dragging appeared in Windows 3.1. These and the graphical interface of Windows make the user's operation simple. When 32-bit Windows 95 was released, some features in Windows 3.x were retained. The popularity of Windows surprised people. Windows is installed on almost all home users' computers, and most business users choose it. For a time, blue sky and white clouds appeared in every corner of the world. Windows 98 is the last version of Windows 9x. Before it, there were two versions of Windows 95 and Windows 95 OEM. Windows 95 OEM is also often referred to as Windows 97. In fact, there is no big difference between these three versions. They are all Improved product from the previous version. The more types of hardware devices that can be supported by later versions, the more advanced the technology used. Windows ME (Windows Millennium Edition) has the characteristics of Windows 9x and Windows 2000. It is actually improved by Windows 98, but it mimics Windows 2000 in terms of interface and certain technologies. Microsoft claims that DOS has been removed from Windows ME and is no longer based on DOS. But in fact, this is not the case. DOS still exists, but it cannot be accessed through normal steps. Articles such as "Restoring the Real DOS Mode of WindowsME" have appeared in various media. Windows 2000 is Windows NT 5.0, which is a version introduced by Microsoft to solve the instability of Windows 9x system and insufficient multimedia support of Windows NT. It is divided into two versions of Windows 2000 Perfessional and Windows 2000 Sever. The former is for ordinary users and the latter is for network servers.
Advantages of Windows Windows is so popular because of its attractive features and ease of use.
1. Graphical interface The character interface of DOS made it difficult for some users. Mac first adopted a graphical interface and the use of a mouse, which saved people from having to learn too much about the operating system. They only need to use a mouse to work. Even a few years old can use it. This is the benefit of graphical interface. The operation in Windows is simple and clear. All functions are in front of you. Just move the mouse, click and double-click to complete.
2. Multi-user, multi-task Windows system can enable multiple users to use the same computer without affecting each other. Windows 9x does a very poor job of this, multi-user settings are useless, and simply do not work.
windows98 operating system
Windows 2000 has done a better job in this respect. Administrators can add and delete users, and set user rights. Multitasking is now available in many operating systems, which means that computers can perform different tasks at the same time without interfering with each other. For example, while listening to a song and writing an article, and opening several browser windows to browse at the same time, this is used. This is essential for today's users.
3. Good network support Windows 9x and Windows 2000 have built-in TCP / IP protocol and dial-up Internet access software. Users only need to perform some simple settings to browse the Internet and send and receive emails. At the same time its support for local area network is also very good, users can easily achieve resource sharing in Windows.
4, excellent multimedia features This is also a highlight of Windows attracting people. You can edit / play audio and video in Windows. It can support advanced graphics cards and sound cards to make them "good sound and color." The emergence of MP3 and ASF, SWF and other formats has made computers better in multimedia, and users can easily play the most popular music or watch movies.
5. Good hardware support Windows 95 and later versions, including Windows 2000, support "Plug and Play" technology, which makes the installation of new hardware easier. After the user has connected the corresponding hardware to the computer, as long as his driver Windows is available, it can be automatically identified and installed. Users no longer need to rewrite the Config.sys file as in DOS, and sometimes need to manually resolve interrupt conflicts. Almost all hardware devices have drivers for Windows. With the continuous upgrade of Windows, the hardware and related technologies it can support are also increasing, such as USB devices and AGP technology.
6. Numerous applications There are numerous applications under Windows that can meet the needs of users in all aspects. There are several kinds of programming software under Windows, and countless programmers are writing programs for Windows. In addition, Windows NT and Windows 2000 systems also support multiple processors, which is very helpful for greatly improving system performance.
Computer language Baihua Zhengyan In the 1970s, the computer itself was developing towards miniaturization. In 1971, Intel Corporation successfully developed four Intel 4004 chips, and in 1973, eight Intel 8086 chips were successfully developed. The birth of the microcomputer is just around the corner. CP / M system In the mid-seventies, desktop computers, workstations, supercomputers, and laptops appeared one after another. "Who will command them?" In fact, as early as 1972, AMAA (American Microcomputer Association) quietly prepared for the development of a "command system". They used the PL / M programming language to write the tape editor ED for the Intel 8086. In 1973, Dr. Gary Kildall, the founder of PL / M, decided to "take charge" and soon cultivated a "embryo" of management programs and data on DEC's main machine TOPS-10
windows2000 operating system
Fetus. Dr. Qi opened the victory, and of course it felt like Great taste! ", But Intel Corporation and other well-known computer companies turned a deaf ear, which annoyed the" Marshal "and" Soldier ". In 1974, the" embryo "was announced to the world: version V1.3; name: CP / M; full name: Control Program / Monitor. Although CP / M V1.3 came from the "God" who shouldered the "control program and data", the "God I" was quite popular In the cold, the computer industry remained indifferent. In 1975, CP / M V1.4 inherited the "throne" and began to build public opinion. In addition, Dr. Kildall founded Digital Research (digital research company), cheering for CP / M, CP / M Used by computer manufacturers of various countries, the software surrounding him has also been exploded. CP / M has become red-haired, purple, and fabulous, and is praised as the "standard eight-bit software bus." / M is actually the first microcomputer operating system, and has the privilege of commanding the host, memory, drum, tape, disk, printer and other hard devices. By controlling the programs and data on the bus, the operating system is organized It executes people's instructions turbulently, like conducting a party or a band, and ensemble beautiful music efficiently. Dense CP / M clusters are constantly adding models. CP / M-80 running on Intel 8080 chip; running on 8088 , 8086 chip is called CP / M-86; and CP / M running on Motorola 68000 is called CP / M-68K. CP / M-80, CP / M-86, CP / M-68K, etc. It formed a huge CP / M family. The single-user CP / M-80 operating system was later developed into a multi-user MP / M-80, and the single-user CP / M-86 was developed into a concurrent CP / M-86. And multi-user MP / M-86, they have become a new force of the fleet. CP / M has created a new era of software, which can be regarded as a milestone in the evolution of computers.
windows vista operating system

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