Title: Operating Systems
Course: CPS 120: Introduction to Computer Science ~ Master (Aug/2015) OLD > Section: Learning Units

Operating system

- Is the primary interface between the hardware and software of a computer.
- Is the most important application on any computer.
- Coordinates use of that computer by all other applications.
- Insures that each application can access the resources of a computer (CPU, memory, drives, printers, etc.).

Operating system characteristics

- Interface
✓ Command line: commands and data are submitted to the OS via the keyboard into a defined area on the screen.
✓ Graphical User Interface (GUI): commands and data are submitted to the OS via a keyboard or mouse; utilizes windows, icons, mouse pointer (WIMP).
- Number of simultaneous users
✓ Multi-user: the OS allows multiple users to use the same computer at the same time.
- Number of simultaneous processers
✓ Multi-processor: the OS can utilize and coordinate the use of multiple CPUs.
- Number of simultaneous tasks
✓ Multi-tasking: the OS allows multiple applications to be open simultaneously.
- Number of simultaneous threads
✓ Multi-threading: the OS allows a single application to run multiple tasks/threads.

Operating system groups

- UNIX
✓ AIX
✓ Solaris
- Linux
✓ Arch – Parabola
✓ Debian – Ubuntu, Mint, Trisquel
✓ Gentoo – Ututo XS
✓ Red Hat – Fedora, Blag
✓ Slackware
- Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)
✓ FreeBSD
✓ Mac OS X
✓ NetBSD
✓ OpenBSD
- Microsoft Windows
✓ Windows XP
✓ Windows Vista
✓ Windows 7
✓ Windows 8
- iOS
✓ iOS 4
✓ iOS 5
✓ iOS 6
✓ iOS 7
- Android
✓ CyanogenMod
✓ Replicant
✓ 1.5: Cupcake
✓ 1.6: Donut
✓ 2.0 and 2.1: Eclair
✓ 2.2: Froyo (FROzen YOgurt)
✓ 2.3: Gingerbread
✓ 3.x: Honeycomb (tablet-only version)
✓ 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich
✓ 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3: Jelly Bean
✓ 4.4: KitKat