The conflict between Operating Systems is frequent presently. Why? because different operating systems provide different sets of advantages and disadvantages. The worst part is many people get a hard time choosing between Linux, Windows and macOS. So, to ease the process for you, in this article, we provide you with everything to consider when choosing one that’s ideal for you. Stay tuned. But before we move further, let’s get familiar with the very primary question and that is;
What is an Operating System?
An operating system is a program that is initially installed on a computer by a boot program to manage computer hardware, and software resources and provide regular services that allow you to run computer programs. Operating systems are found on many devices that contain a computer – from cellular phones and video game consoles to web servers and supercomputers.
For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware, although the application code is usually executed directly by the hardware and frequently makes system calls to an OS function or is interrupted by it.
Types of Operating Systems
Computers have made extensive technological advancements in the past couple of decades, developing from bulky machines into sleek, performance-focused and self-driven devices. Much as there are several operating systems at the moment, we are only discussing the three popular operating systems that power most computers.
- Windows
Windows is a collection of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed to control a computer. Every family serves a certain sector of the computing industry. That’s to say, Windows NT is for consumers, Windows IoT is for embedded systems and Windows Servers for servers. The first version of Windows was revealed on November 20, 1985, as a graphical operating system shell for MS-DOS in retaliation to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces. Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system in the world, with a market share of 74 percent as stated by Statista. Since its original release in 1985, the operating system has been through a slew of changes, and despite its ups and downs, it’s still leading the market by a long stretch.
- Linux
Linux is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux Kernel. Its first release was on September 17th 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is packaged as a Linux Distribution including the kernel and support system and libraries. Most of which are provided by the GNU project. Known Linux distributions include Fedora Linux, Debian and Ubuntu. Ubuntu consists of several different distributions and modifications like Xubuntu and Lubuntu. Desktop Linux distributions include a windowing system such as X11 or Wayland and a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE Plasma
- Mac OS
Previously known as OS X and initially Mac OS X, macOS is a Unix operating system designed and developed by Apple Inc. This is the operating system that powers all Mac computers. The macOS is developed particularly for the hardware it runs on and vice versa. Unlike Windows, you can’t just buy a copy and install it on any computer. It also doesn’t ship pre-installed with other computers; you can only get it with an iMac, MacBook, Mac mini, or other official Apple hardware. It’s a closed system (with lots of open-source influence and code!) but one that has easily proven its worth in the 35 years it’s been around
Ideal Operating System for Software Development
- Linux’s Distribution Ubuntu
Ubuntu is one of the outstanding operating systems these days when it comes to software development. It’s a Linux-based system and suitable for programmers. For many years till date, Ubuntu has been a key highlight of the Linux desktop environment. Ubuntu integrates all features of the Unix operating system with a tailored graphical user interface, probably making it the ideal OS for developers.
Here are some of the pros and features that make Linux’s Ubuntu ideal for software development
- Free to install. Linux and Ubuntu are free to test out and use a limited amount of your computer’s resources, as Linux is an open-source operating system. Therefore, developers don’t have to actually pay for an operating system for their projects. Linux has a concerned troubleshooting community that software developers can turn to when they hit obstacles.
- Performance. Ubuntu is a fast, efficient, and lightweight operating system. Programming, scripting and source codes run faster in Ubuntu, making it the top-priority operating system for programmers.
- Multitasking: The Linux operating system can multitask without being absorbed in standby mode, managing several tasks at once. When interrupted, the OS just goes back and forth through activities, which include sending fresh information to the GPU or refreshing graphics. Even if a process isn’t complete, the CPU can pause and return to it later.
- Linux has many alternatives to almost all the programs on the market like Photoshop, MS Word, etc. And, the surprising fact is all these alternatives also tend to be entirely free.
- Windows
The Windows OS does get a bad rep a lot of the time. But for certain situations, Windows is actually an ideal OS for software engineers.
Here are a few reasons why Windows can be a great operating system for software development.
- Security: Windows has a new security feature known as the “Secure Boot” functionality on UEFI systems. This feature prevents malware from infecting the boot process. The system also enables PINs and image passwords as secure touch screen-optimized authentication techniques.
- Windows, mainly Windows 10, supports a wide swathe of hardware almost unparalleled in other operating systems. Since it is the most popular operating system, a large proportion of hardware manufacturers support Windows before any other systems, although not always.
- Affordable: Windows is a cheaper operating system with great value, especially when compared to macOS. Windows is also easy to upgrade. Windows receives major updates every six months, making the system more robust, fast, and secure.
- macOS
macOS is an OS that allows you to play video games, check emails, edit photos, browse the web, and much more. It presently supports 39 languages, made up of C, Objective-C, C++, and Swift.
The macOS platform employs the Aqua user interface, built around a hybrid core. The system is compatible with workstations, computers, and embedded devices.
- macOS has an intuitive, simple, and clean user interface. This is especially true when comparing it to something like Windows. If you are developing apps for iOS systems, the similarity with macOS’ UI is a great advantage.
- Multitasking is at the heart of macOS. The operating systems come with various native features that really make having various programs open at one time a breeze to navigate and manage. The ability to switch between them at the press of a button saves tons of time, along with your sanity, especially in the long run.
- macOS is also famed for its reduced susceptibility to malware and other security issues. While, like Linux, it is not immune to security issues, the chances of getting infected with a nasty piece of software are reduced when compared to Windows.
Conclusion
When it comes to operating systems, macOS, Windows and Linux are the most popular systems. These operating systems have a lot in common and many differences. But when selecting which operating system to use for software development, we suggest you learn and master an operating system of your preference.
