Difference between Windows and Linux
Windows vs Linux:
It is no secret that among the numerous operating systems in the world, two of the most used are Windows and Linux. An operating system, or as shortly known by OS, is a program planned to run other programs on a computer. A computer’s operating system is its most important program. It is all fair to be considered as the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. Further, it is what is responsible for everything from the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. Among the many operating systems out there ranging from MS DOS to Ubuntu, the most widely discussed operating systems could undoubtedly be Windows and Linux. Although some people might be blind enough to view the two operating systems more like one, there are distinct differences between the two. This article endeavours to describe what Windows and Linux are with a final paragraph explaining the differences existing between the two.
What is Windows?
Windows is originally termed Microsoft Windows and it can be considered the most popular and most used operating system in the world. Although new operating systems such as UNIX, Linux, and Ubuntu came up, its popularity and usage never dropped down. However, to define Windows, it is a series of graphical interface operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft Corporation. Windows is an umbrella term for all the generations of the operating systems produced by Microsoft after they inaugurated the first Windows OS in 1985. Microsoft inaugurated their first version Windows operating system named Windows 1.0 which eventually followed by Windows 2.0, Windows 2.1x, Windows 3.0, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME (Millennium Edition), Windows 2003, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista, Windows 7 Ultimate. Windows 8 is developed as the successor of Windows 7 and is ready to be launched on 26, October 2012. The greatest aspect about the whole Windows experience is that its graphical user interface allows users with no prior programming experience or knowledge to navigate the system and complete the tasks with ease.
What is Linux?
Linux is, in the simplest terms, a computer operating system which is somewhat Unix-like. It is assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. It is the software on a computer that enables applications and the computer operator to access the devices on the computer to perform desired functions. The operating system (OS) relays instruction from an application to for illustration, the computer’s processor. The processor performs the instructed task, and then sends results back to the application via the operating system. Speaking of the history, Linux began in 1991 with the inauguration of a personal project by a Finnish student, Linus Torvalds, to create a new operating system core. Since then, the resulting Linux kernel has been marked by steady development throughout its history. Linux was initially developed as a free operating system for Intel x86-based personal computers. It has since been ported to more computer hardware platforms than any other operating system. It is a leading operating system on servers and other big iron systems such as mainframe computers and supercomputers. The development of Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software cooperation. Normally Linux is packaged in a format known as a Linux distribution for desktop and server use. Linux distributions include the Linux kernel, supporting utilities and libraries and usually a large amount of application software to fulfill the distribution’s intended use.
What is the difference between Linux and Windows?
There are differences between Linux and Windows both in the surface level and in the core level. The major difference would be while Windows is a commercial operating system with graphical interface. Linux is an open source operating system. Linux is considered more stable than Windows though. However, navigation is easier with Windows than with Linux. In addition, since Windows has graphical user interface which is generally easier to learn and use, Windows is undoubtedly chosen over Linux as more user-friendly. Another dissimilarity is that while Linux is technically a kernel; the central component of many operating systems, whereas Windows is not. Moreover, another difference can be observed in relation to source codes. The source code of Linux distributions is available for free. This means that anyone can download Linux source code and customize it as required. This cannot be done in relation to Windows. In conclusion, to use Windows operating systems, you need to purchase them, but Linux based operating systems are available for free and that is more profitable.
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Tags: codes, compute, computerize, crunch numbers, digitize, initialize, input, Internet, key in, keyboard, load, log in, log out, program, run, upload
