What is an operating system?

Introduction

The operating system is the main program that is installed on your computer or smartphone. Regularly you also encounter the English name " operating system " or it is abbreviated as " OS ". Known operating systems for the computer are Microsoft Windows and macOS from Apple (formerly called OS X). Most smartphones have Android or iOS running as an operating system.

Operating systems for laptop and desktop

The operating system that you use on your computer largely depends on the type of computer you own. Below we discuss the main computer operating systems: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux and Chrome OS .

Microsoft Windows

Most desktop computers or laptops have a Microsoft Windows version installed as operating system. The most recent version is Windows 10 . If you have an older version, eg Windows 7 or 8, Microsoft recommends updating this.

Popularity of Windows

Windows is extremely popular because it comes standard with most computers. Windows works in comparison to some other operating systems on almost all computers regardless of brand (eg Acer, Lenovo, HP, Toshiba, ...) or type of computer.

Why the name "Microsoft"?

Microsoft, abbreviated MS, is the company that developed the Windows operating system. We also know Microsoft from the Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel programs. The big boss of Microsoft is the well-known and rich Bill Gates .

Cost price Windows

When you purchase a new computer, Windows is usually included as standard. The price of Windows is then processed in the price you paid for your computer.
If you still have to buy Windows separately, you can find online prices on eg the website of Microsoft itself.

Windows 32-bit or 64-bit version?

Depending on your computer, you will have a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows running. This has to do with your type of processor and how it works with the working memory. When installing programs, this is sometimes important to know. If you want to know which version you have or if you want more information about this, please view the next page .

MacOS

MacOS (also sometimes called OS X or OS 10 ) is the operating system for the Apple systems such as the MacBook and the iMac. When purchasing such an Apple system, it is installed as standard.

MacOS also has multiple versions. The latest version has " macOS Sierra ".

Safer?

It is true that there is less malware (malicious software such as viruses) for the Apple systems that use macOS. One of the main reasons for this is that malware is usually written to have as large a target audience as possible. Since Windows is still used much more, malware is mainly written for this.

With macOS, as with all other operating systems, it is always advisable to install a virus scanner on your system. The internet is not always such a safe place.

Programs for macOS

A program that can be installed on a Windows computer can not simply be installed on macOS. This ensures that some programs can not be used on an Apple system. For most programs, however, there is also a macOS version. Some developers even choose to market their program only for macOS. You can purchase these programs just like with the iPhone or the iPad via the App store.

Linux

Linux is an open-source operating system. This means that everyone can help with the development of the code. Linux variants such as Ubuntu , CentOS and OpenSuse are created on the basis of the Linux code .

Free Windows?

Because most versions of Linux are free and just like Windows can be installed on almost all systems, you could almost call this the free version of Windows. However, there are big differences, so that everyone still has his favorite. A disadvantage of Linux is that many (often commercial) programs do not work on Linux such as Microsoft Office. However, this problem does not always have to be great since there is a free alternative to many programs, such as LibreOffice.

Chrome OS

Chrome OS is the operating system of Google used on a Chromebook and Chromebox . Chrome OS stands out from the others because it makes great use of the cloud . The programs and files you use are online. This means you do not have to install or update programs yourself and all your files are automatically backed up. This also means that you are less dependent on your device because you can log in with your Google account and thus have all your data.

Operating systems for mobile devices

On a new tablet or smartphone the operating system is installed as well as always with purchase. The best known operating systems for these devices are Android, iOS and Windows 10. All these operating systems also get regular updates which you install best.

Android

Android is largely developed by Google . Since Android is open-source, developers can make variants according to their own preference. This makes most manufacturers use Android. If you do not have an iPhone, the chances are that you will use Android.

If you want to install an application on your Android device, you do this via Google Play . You can not install the apps written for Android on an iPhone. Conversely, the same thing counts. Most developers also ensure that smartphones have a separate version for both operating systems. This is therefore not always completely the same.

iOS

All mobile devices from Apple such as the iPhone and iPad have iOS as the operating system. Applications can be installed via the App Store .

Windows 10

Also, Microsoft has with Windows 10 has a mobile version of Windows. Previously it was called Windows Phone. Via the Windows Store you can add app's to your device.

What is the operating system for?

The operating system is the main program and serves as a kind of layer between the hardware of your device and the user . Without the operating system, we would not be able to use all the hardware that our device possesses. The operating system also manages and controls everything an application can or can not do.

An example :

You open an application such as Google Maps on your smartphone via the "Google Maps" button that is displayed on your screen thanks to the operating system. Automatically the operating system will ensure that Google Maps is opened and loaded into the working memory so that this program can be executed. When Google Maps wants to display your current location, it will ask the operating system for the coordinates. This will then activate the GPS in your smartphone in order to finally give the correct position to Google Maps.

Give rights to an app

Because we do not want every app to know just where you are located, who your contacts are or can use your camera without asking, the developer of an app must request permission from the operating system. The operating system in turn asks the user (to you) whether you give the app the right to eg use the camera, read out your contact list, use the GPS function, and so on. Do not be too generous with this, before you know it you will lose your entire privacy!

Install programs or apps

Thanks to the operating system, we can add new applications to the device. These programs are always operating system bound. When we want to install a program, we have to make sure that it is compatible with the operating system. We can not install a program that is not compatible with the operating system. Many programs have different versions so that there is an appropriate version for each operating system.

Compatibility with programs

The media player VLC offers several versions so that it is compatible with the different operating systems.

Manage files through a file manager or file browser

Your operating system also ensures, thanks to the graphical interface (display), that we can neatly organize files in folders and subfolders. In this way we can easily find all files, regardless of where they are stored on the hard disk.

Updates for your smartphone or computer

There is an update regularly for each operating system. Sometimes this means that there is a completely new version on the market, eg from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. However, such an update is a minimal change that you will not notice as a user. However, it is strongly recommended that these updates be carried out as quickly as possible . That way your system will be better protected against malware and your system will better support newer technologies .

The same applies for apps or programs on your smartphone or computer. If an update is available here, you should do this as quickly as possible. The chances are that it is a security update.

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