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History of OS Final

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20 views5 pages

History of OS Final

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iakambamu
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Faculty of computing, Library and Information Science

Name: KATO SURAIMAN.

REG NO: 2024/A/DCS/1598/F

DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER SCIENCE.

DCS1105 OPERATING SYSTEMS.

Lecturer: MR. AKANKWASA AURERI.

QUESTION:

Write short notes about the history of operating system.


HISTORY OPERATING SYSTEM

An operating system is a program that controls the execution of application programs and acts as
an interface between the user of the computer and the computer hardware. Operating system can
also be defined as software that manages the computer hardware. An operating system acts as an
intermediary between the hardware and the user of a computer.

The main purpose of an operating system is to provide an environment in which a user can
execute programs in a convenient and efficient manner. The computer hardware must provide
appropriate mechanisms to ensure the correct operation of the computer system and to prevent
user programs from interfering with the proper operation of the system.

An operating system plays a big role in the computer system such as; convenience, efficiency
and ability to evolve.

The history of Operating System can be summarized in the table below

Year Type of OS evolved Type of computer running Characteristics of the OS


the OS evolved
1940s to 1950s .Batch Processing Early mainframe computers No interaction between
Systems e.g. IBM 1401 forexample programs and users
IBM OS/360 during execution.
Limited user input and
output capabilities.

1950s to 1960s Multiprogramming Mainframes servers, and Improved efficiency


Systems workstations compared to batch
Forexample; UNIX, IBM processing.
OS/360, early version Introduced concept of
windows and Linux processes and threads.
Basic memory
management techniques
developed.

1960s to 1970s . Time-Sharing Mainframe and Allowed multiple users


Systems Minicomputers e.g. PDP- to interact with computer
10, IBM System/370 simultaneously
forexample MULTICS, Introduced command line
UNIX interfaces
Developed basic security
mechanisms
Implemented multi-
tasking and multi-user
support

1970s to 1980s . Introduction of Personal computers Graphical User Interfaces


GUI (desktops, laptops), introduced
smartphones, tablets Made computing more
forexample; Microsoft accessible to general
Windows, macOS, public
Android, iOS Popularized personal
computers
Introduced mouse-based
navigation
1980s to 1990s . Networked Networked computers, Development of local
Systems servers forexample; area networks (LANs)
windows server, UNIX- Emergence of client-
based systems server architecture
Increased focus on
distributed computing
Popularization of the
internet

Late 1990s to . Mobile Operating Smartphones, Tablets Specialized operating


Early 2000s Systems forexample; Android, iOS systems developed for
mobile devices
Optimized for battery life
and portability
Examples include iOS
and Android
Revolutionized personal
computing
2010s to . AI Integration Advanced workstations, Increasing integration of
ongoing cloud servers, personal artificial intelligence and
devices (e.g. Smartphones machine learning
IOT devices) Enhanced natural
Forexample; windows 11 language processing and
voice recognition
Improved predictive
maintenance and
automation
Focus on edge computing
and IoT devices

These notes cover the major milestones in the evolution of operating systems, highlighting key
technological advancements and their impact on computing capabilities and accessibility.
REFERENCES

Bullynck, M. (2018). What is an operating system? A historical investigation (1954–1964).


Reflections on programming systems: Historical and philosophical aspects, 49-79.

Mamcenko, J. (2010). Lecture notes on operating systems.

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