Operating systems provide functions and links needed to control and synchronize computer hardware. Most computer applications use these functions. In this article, to learn about the history of operating systems from the beginning to the present day, we will learn about the stages of development and evolution of operating systems over time.
Operating systems provide functions and links needed to control and synchronize computer hardware. Most applications in the computer use these functions. Knowing the evolution stages of operating systems and their history has valuable and interesting information for you.
Introduction of operating systems
(1940s to early 1950s) – The first generation
The first Z1 electronic digital computers were built in 1938-1936; They had no operating system;
Any program run on these first computers had to include all the code needed to run on the computer while communicating with the hardware. Also, computers were generally used to solve simple mathematical calculations, and all programming was in the language. The absolute machine was often wired with plug-ins to control the device’s essential functions. This situation made even the most straightforward programs very complicated.
In response to this problem, due to the evolution and complexity of hardware, the owners of central computers began to develop system software that facilitated the writing and execution of programs on the computer. Thus, the first operating systems were born.
(1955-1965) – The second generation
The first operating system introduced in the early 1950s (in 1956) was GMOS, which Robert L. Patrick of General Motors developed. It was created for the IBM 701 machine. In the 1960s, IBM became the first computer manufacturer to take over the task of developing operating systems and began distributing the operating systems included in its computers.
Operating systems in the 1950s were called single-stream batch processing systems because data was sent in batches. These new machines were called mainframes and were used by professional operators in large computer rooms, as these machines were expensive. , only government organizations or large companies were able to buy them.
The genesis of this operating system happened when computers could only run one program at a time; in the following decades, computers began to include more and more software programs that came together to create today’s operating systems.
(1980-1965) – The third generation
The systems of the 1960s were also batch processing systems, but they could take advantage of computer resources by running multiple tasks simultaneously. Therefore, operating system designers developed the concept of multiprogramming, in which multiple tasks were performed simultaneously in the main memory. The introduction of multiprogramming was a major part of the development of operating systems, as it allowed the CPU to use the CPU almost 100% of the time. would do; be busy
In the late 1960s, Bell Labs began to use the Unix source. The first version of the multitasking, multiuser Unix operating system was developed by AT&T Bell Labs programmers Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna, and in the 1970s, first in It was widely accepted and made available by AT&T and later by colleges and universities, written in the C programming language, and freely available in its early years.
Unlike a generic operating system where if someone wanted to change a set of functions on a CPU, they had to format all the operational system functions and start over, this was a giant leap forward; Unix easily adapted to new systems and quickly gained widespread adoption. Many modern operating systems, including Linux, Mac OS X, Android, iOS, Chrome OS, and all the different versions of Linux, are older and older. They rely on Unix.
It is worth mentioning that you can get your desired server plan to buy a Linux virtual server.
The first version was available in the 70s. Unlike a generic operating system like the one used in GM, if someone wants to change a set of functions in a CPU, they have to reformat all the operational system functions and start changing them again.
Microsoft Windows developed the operating system during this period in response to IBM’s request to run a wide range of personal computers. It was also the primary operating system in ROM (read-only memory) alongside Integrated Basic, initially cassette-based; when the disk was implemented in 1978, Shepardson Microsystems launched the first disk operating system (DOS).
Another essential feature in the third-generation operating system was a technique called spooling (simultaneous peripheral operation on the line). Another significant development during the third generation was the phenomenal growth of small computers, with the DEC PDP-1 Launched in 1961 and sold like hotcakes. The Apple II series was born. It is a family of home computers, the first highly successful microcomputer designed by Steve Wozniak; it was an 8-bit computer with the first color graphics.
Microcomputers helped create a whole new industry and the development of more PDPs; these PDPs led to the creation of personal computers built in the fourth generation.
(1980 to today) – the fourth generation
The first operating system created by Microsoft was not called Windows; it was called MS-DOS and was built in 1981 when Microsoft purchased the 86-DOS operating system from Seattle Computer Products and modified it to meet IBM’s requirements.
The fourth generation of operating systems saw the creation of personal computing. Although these computers were very similar to the minicomputers developed in the third generation, personal computers cost a fraction of minicomputers; a personal computer was affordable enough to allow an individual to own a computer for personal use. Yes, minicomputers are still expensive enough that only companies can afford them.
One of the critical factors in creating personal computing was the birth of Microsoft and the Windows operating system. The Windows operating system was built in 1975 when Paul Allen and Bill Gates had the vision to take personal computing to the next level; they introduced MS-DOS in 1981, launched by Microsoft, and based on 86-DOS. It started with a company called (Seattle Computer Products) created by Tim Patterson.
The original version of MS-DOS took only six weeks to develop because it was similar to Digital Research’s CP/M, a similar product version. Although efficient, it caused many problems for people deciphering its coded commands.
The name Windows was first used in 1985 when a graphical user interface was created and paired with or joined to MS-DOS; Windows became the most extensive operating system used in technology today with the release of Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows XP (currently the most widely used operating system to date) and their latest operating system Windows 7.
Apple is another central operating system created in the 1980s; Apple co-founder Steve Jobs created the Apple Macintosh, which was a massive success because it was user-friendly. The development of Windows in the following years was influenced by the Macintosh, creating fierce competition between the two companies.
Today, all of our electronic devices are running on operating systems, from computers and smartphones to ATMs and motor vehicles, and as technology advances, so do operating systems.
NeXTSTEP is a multitasking, object-oriented operating system developed by NeXT Computer, initially used in the late 1980s and early 1990s for its trademark NeXTcube workstation computer; NeXT Computer was the platform that Electronic AppWrapper created the first commercial electronic software distribution catalog that collectively manages encryption and provides digital rights for software applications and digital media.
AppWrapper gave rise to what we know today as the app store. After Apple acquired NeXT, it created macOS, iOS, and WatchOS systems. In addition, many of Apple’s features and applications came directly from NeXT.
In December 1987, OS/2 was released; OS/2 is a series of computer operating systems initially developed by Microsoft and IBM after the two companies failed, after mispositioning OS/2 and Microsoft 3.1. 1992, both companies severed ties; OS/2 was initially intended as a PC-Dos preserver. On May 22, 1990, Microsoft launched Windows 3.0, the third central graphical environment.
Windows 3.0 became a competitor to the Apple Macintosh and Commodore Amiga in the GUI (Graphical User Interface) department; on September 17, 1991, Linux released its kernel operating system, which is based on the Unix operating system like open source. Note: Linux is a free operating system known for distributions such as Ubuntu and its commercial applications such as Redhat Enterprise Linux.
Linux is the leading operating system for servers and mainframes and the only operating system used in the top supercomputers; Linux has the most extensive installed base of all public operating systems.
On April 22, 1992, Microsoft launched Windows 3.1x, a 16-bit operating environment; Windows 3.1 brought several improvements to the MS-DOS-based platform during its lifetime, including expanded multimedia support, improved system stability, group networking, and TrueType fonts.
On August 24, 1995, Windows 95 was released by Microsoft as the first operating system in the 9x family (versions released after 1995 and up to 2000). The significant change was the 32-bit working environment and its plug-and-play features.
On June 25, 1998, Microsoft launched Windows 98, which featured a mixed 16-bit and 32-bit graphical interface, making it a visual operating system. -DOS runs; this Windows operating system is part of the 9x family.
On March 6, 2008, iPhone OS 1 was the first iOS for Apple’s mobile operating system; no official name was given to the system. Apple announced that the iPhone would run on a version of its macOS desktop operating system, then called Mac OSX. It worked when Apple released the iPhone SDK, then called the operating system iPhone OS, which later became iOS.
Released on September 23, 2008, Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. Based on the Linux kernel and other open-source software, it is primarily designed for touchscreen devices, although different operating system versions exist. Android is the first major competitor of IOS.
On October 22, 2009, Microsoft Windows 7 was developed to replace Vista, “Win7” is currently used by more than 50% of Internet users.
Windows 7 was intended to be an update to its predecessor, Windows Vista, and addressed Vista’s poor critical reception while maintaining hardware and software compatibility;
New features such as Libraries, HomeGroup – file sharing system, support for multi-touch input, and Action Center interface for overview of system maintenance and security information were added to the operating system, and revisions were made to User Account Control to make it less intrusive.
In May 2011, Google launched Chrome OS, an operating system based on the Linux kernel. It is free software that uses the Google Chrome web browser as the primary user interface (UI), and applications support the web. Its user data runs directly from the cloud, making it the first cloud-based operating system.
In 2012, Windows 8: “Win8”, developed by Microsoft to replace Win7, was released on October 26, 2012, when its Surface product, Windows 10, was finally introduced in 2014. It should be noted that a Windows virtual server can be the right choice if you are looking for an always-on and powerful server with a Windows operating system.
Conclusion
After looking at some of the most well-known operating systems over the generations, it becomes clear that there has been tremendous progress in the world of operating systems and how they have become more user-friendly and graphics-oriented to offer operating systems, the best product for End User Interaction Looking at all the previous operating systems, there is more to expect in the future, we are currently at the precipice of AI, robotics, and blockchain. These areas will drive us into different dimensions of the operating system.