Modern operating system - Research Paper Example

In the modern times there are number of operating systems that are majorly part of nearly every second laptop, handheld device and mobile phone systems. These are Android Operating System, Windows operating system and I.O.S operating system. Android is formally owned by Google Inc. Windows is formally owned by Microsoft Inc. and I.O.S is supported by Apple Inc. Each of these has its own characteristic function. This paper looks into the contrasts, comparison and co relation between the three major operating systems. Open source: Android operating system is an open source operating system. Microsoft’s Windows on the other hand is the opposite and it does not allow the users to bring about the changes in the source code or modify it. Apple Inc itself is a closed source operating system. The open source nature of Android makes it relatively flexible and more appealing towards the programmers. The added advantage of open source operating system is the presence of platforms and online societies supported by the given operating systems developer companies. The open source function provides the respective operating system an edge in the context of software support and software development. Linux kernel support: Android exhibits support for Linux based kernel, but this is not to be confused with the Linux operating system. The libraries of Android operating system vary considerably from those of the Linux operating system. Run time features of Android: The use of Dalvik Virtual machine by Android is a characteristic feature of Android which gives it an edge over the contemporary operating systems as well as the Linux operating system. The run time features include Dalvik as well as the libraries functions support. Microsoft Windows Kernel support: The Windows O.S kernel has seen considerable improvement in the recent times. It provides features such as System on Chip (SOC) along with the feature of User Mode Driver Framework (UMDF). In the recent times, the Microsoft O.S has come up with a dynamic outlook in the form of user platform and SOC supported kernel. Apple I.O.S Kernel: Apple’ I.O.S kernel is a derivate of Unix Based system, however it does not copy or resemble the kernel of Linux or Android for each has its own designated and specific kernel. The I.O.S takes it support for kernel from the OS X- Mach. Online Application Stores: Google and Apple Inc have designated special application stores for the users online to get the necessary and supporting applications. Google’s app store comes in form of Google Play while Apple Inc’s is App store. Each of these provide over thousands of applications that are freely available for download. Antiquity: Out of the three chosen operating systems, Android operating system is relatively new in the context of market existence. It was introduced only recently in the start days of 21st century. The history and existence of Apple’s I.O.S and Microsoft windows stretch back to the days of 1960s and 1970s. Multitasking feature: The recent versions of Android as well as I.O.S have shown the multi tasking features and support through various incremental advances added. Software development support: Since it is an established fact that the open source operating systems will find more frequent and effective software upgrades and patches handling, Android and I.O.S in this regard are way ahead of Microsoft when it comes to the software development teams and support functioning. Viruses’ consideration: Microsoft Windows is relatively highly prone to the viruses and other malware. The other two operating systems, are relatively less prone to the bugs and viruses. This feature of the latter two can be attributed to the open source interface of the two along with the kind of kernel each of these bring along with them. O.H.A: Open Handheld Alliance gives Android an edge in the marketing context. Since it is a consortium and partnership of over 80 hardware manufacturing franchise, its network of operations and production increases by multiple proportions through the O.H.A platform. The other two comparative operating systems are not engaged in any similar form of partnership and membership chain. Degree of customization: Android followed by I.O.S provide relatively higher degree of customization of options and functioning features as compared to the Microsoft Windows. This is again supported by the large amount of open source platforms working directly and indirectly under the parent brand structure. Hardware specific constraint: I.O.S is the only operating system among the three that is hardware specific. It can be operated on the Apple supported devices such as the Mac book, the laptop, I-Pad, I-phone in case of mobile phone and other similar products offered by Apple Inc. Microsoft windows and Android in contrast are not hardware restricted and can be operated and installed on any kind of device and hardware combination. Market perspective: In the recent times, the trends have changed considerably. While Microsoft has been in the market for the longest time, Android being the youngest, is the market runner in terms of the shares in the recent year or two. Apple Inc and I.O.S have been able to maintain its bench strength through the introduction of the latest operating system version as well as the I-Phone 6 phone. Yet Android has been relatively above the rest and still tops the charts in the year 2013-2014. This is primarily due to the fact that Android is supported by the O.H.A (Hill). Each has its own market shares, its own advantages and own functioning features that make them the top most three operating systems in the computing and mobile phone market of digital technology. Versions: Each of the operating system has a large variety of operating systems versions to it. Few of the common versions of each include the following: Microsoft Windows: Windows 3.0 Windows 95 Windows 98 Windows N.T Windows M.E Windows 7 Windows 8 Android Operating system versions: Android Alpha Android beta Android Cupcake Android Donut Jelly Bean Kit-Kat- version 4.1 Lolipop-Version- 5 I.O.S operating systems versions: I phone OS 1.X I Phone OS 2.X IOS-4 IOS-5 IOS-6 IOS-8-x References: Hill, Simon. ANDROID 4.4 VS. IOS 7 VS. WINDOWS PHONE 8: WHICH SMARTPHONE OS IS BEST? 27 July 2014. 2 Dec 2014 Read More