CHAPTER TWELVE: OS TYPES Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is an Operating System (OS)?
An Operating System (OS) is the main software that runs on your computer, phone, or tablet. It tells the hardware (like your keyboard, screen, or printer) how to work with the apps you use. Think of it like the boss of your device
Types of Operating Systems
There are four main types of OSs, based on what kind of device and situation they’re used for:
- Business Client OS
This is made for office computers that connect to a company network. It works well in a centrally managed system (like where IT people control what happens on each machine). - Network Operating System (NOS)
This OS is for servers (big powerful computers) in business networks. It helps run websites, company emails, file sharing, and more. - Home Client OS
These are OSs meant for personal computers at home or small offices. They’re simpler than business systems. - Cell Phone/Tablet OS
These are specially made for touchscreen devices like smartphones and tablets. Everything is made to work with your finger or a stylus (pen).
Microsoft Windows
Windows is the most popular OS made by Microsoft. It covers all four types mentioned above:
Windows 10/11: Used on home and office PCs. They can work with a mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen.
Windows Server 2019/2022: These are the NOS versions, used for company servers.
Touch support: Windows works on tablets and laptops with touchscreens.
Phones? Microsoft tried making Windows phones, but they stopped.
macOS (Apple Computers)
macOS runs only on Apple computers (like MacBook or iMac). It’s based on something called UNIX but Apple added its own graphical interface (the look and feel of your screen) and utilities (tools).
It works with a Magic Trackpad (like a fancy touchpad), but not with touchscreens.
You get free updates, but not all Macs can install the latest version.
UNIX
UNIX is one of the oldest OSs, made in the 1960s.
It’s used on all kinds of devices, from PCs to supercomputers.
It has a kernel (core part that controls memory, processor, and hardware) and a shell (user interface or command line you can type into).
It’s very portable, which means it runs on a huge variety of hardware.
Linux
Linux is a free, open-source version of UNIX.
It was created by Linus Torvalds.
mes in different “flavors” called distributions (distros), like:
- Ubuntu
- Debian
- Red Hat
- Fedora
- Mint
- Arch
Some are free (like Ubuntu), while others offer paid support (like Red Hat).
Two types of updates:
- Standard versioning (numbered updates)
- Rolling release (always gets the latest updates automatically)
Chrome OS
Made by Google, based on Linux.
Runs on Chromebooks (cheap laptops) and Chromeboxes.
Very simple OS that focuses on using web applications (apps that run in a browser).
Most of the work happens on the Internet, not on your computer.
Great for education and budget-friendly use.
Can also run offline apps and Android apps.
iOS (Apple)
Runs on iPhones and older iPads.
Based on UNIX, just like macOS.
Closed-source – only Apple can change it or install it.
You get a new version almost every year, like version 15.
Free updates, but older phones might not get new features.
Android
Made by the Open Handset Alliance (mainly Google).
Based on Linux.
Open-source – anyone can modify it, which is why many phone brands use it:
Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, Motorola, etc.
Each brand can make its own custom Android version.
High-level formatting
When you get a new hard drive (or memory card, or USB stick), your computer needs to get it ready before it can save files. That process is called formatting.
High-level formatting means your computer sets up a “file system” so it knows how to organize stuff on that drive.
Windows mostly uses three kinds of file systems:
NTFS (New Technology File System)
FAT32
exFAT
NTFS (New Technology File System)
This is the main file system used by Windows. It’s the smartest and most advanced.
- 64-bit addressing: It can handle really big files and drives—up to 16 exabytes (that’s crazy huge, think millions of terabytes). In real life, Windows limits it to about 256 terabytes depending on settings.
key features of NTFS
- journaling: NTFS keeps a log (or journal) of changes. So if your computer crashes or loses power, it can recover faster and knows which parts of the disk are messed up.
- snapshot (Volume Shadow Copy): This lets the system take a “picture” of your files at a certain moment, even if you’re using the file. So you can go back to an earlier version.
- security
File permissions: You can say who can see or change a file.
Audit trails: It can log who accessed a file and when.
Quotas: You can set space limits for different users.
EFS (Encrypting File System): You can encrypt (lock) files so only certain people can open them. - POSIX compliance: This means NTFS can play nicely with Linux/UNIX apps by supporting things like:
Case-sensitive names (e.g. “file.txt” ≠ “File.txt”)
Hard links (shortcuts that act like real files)
- indexing: NTFS keeps a catalog of all files to speed up searches.
- Dynamic disks: Lets you combine multiple physical drives into one big virtual drive.
Downsides to NTFS
Not all systems support NTFS well.
macOS can read but not write to NTFS drives.
Linux sometimes works, but not perfectly.
FAT32 (File Allocation Table - 32-bit)
This is the “grandpa” of file systems. It’s very old but still used for compatibility.
- File Allocation Table: Think of it like a table of contents telling the computer where each piece of your file is stored.
- 32-bit: That’s how big the “table” is. It can handle volumes (drives) up to 2 TB (terabytes).
- Max file size: You can’t store anything larger than 4 GB - 1 byte. So, no big video files.
FAT32 has no:
Journaling (no crash recovery help)
Security features (anyone can access files)
Encryption
FAT32 is great for what?
USB drives, SD cards, and other stuff that needs to work on many devices (Windows, Macs, smart TVs, etc.)
System boot partitions (a small part of your hard drive that helps Windows start)
exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)
This is like FAT32’s modern cousin. It was designed for flash drives and removable storage.
- 64-bit version of FAT: Bigger file sizes (up to 16 exabytes) and drive sizes (up to 128 petabytes).
- Permissions: You can control who accesses files, but it doesn’t do encryption like NTFS.
exFAT is a sweet spot:
Works well with both Windows and macOS
Handles large files (great for videos, backups, etc.)
Good for USB sticks and external drives
Linux File Systems
Linux commonly uses the ext family—ext3 and ext4.
ext3: Older, supports journaling (which is like keeping a log of changes to prevent data loss during crashes).
ext4: Newer and faster—better performance and also uses journaling.
Linux can also understand FAT and FAT32 (older Windows formats) and calls them VFAT.
Linux can use NFS (Network File System), which is like having a shared folder from another computer show up like it’s part of your own system.
macOS File System
Mac computers use APFS (Apple File System).
It’s built for Apple devices and includes features like:
Journaling (logs changes for safety),
Snapshots (you can “rewind” to earlier file versions),
Permissions (controls who can open or change files),
Encryption (locks files with a password).
OS Compatibility Issues (Making Sure Stuff Works Together)
Devices and software don’t always “get along” when they use different operating systems.
Compatibility concerns come in a few types:
- Hardware Compatibility:
Your computer must be strong enough (fast processor, enough memory) to handle a new OS version.
Sometimes old hardware just can’t run new software properly. - Software Compatibility:
Apps are built for specific operating systems.
Example: An app made for iPhone (iOS) won’t work on an Android phone unless the developer makes a separate version. - Network Compatibility:
Devices on different operating systems still need to share files or chat over a network.
They must speak the same “language” (network protocols like TCP/IP) to understand each other. - User Training:
New OS = new look and new controls.
If users aren’t trained, they might get frustrated or waste time.
That’s why businesses train employees and provide support before switching.
Vendor Life-Cycle Limitations (How Long a Company Supports an OS)
Every operating system goes through life stages:
Beta Phase:
Early testers try the software and report bugs.
Microsoft’s “Insider Program” lets you try early versions of Windows.
Supported Phase:
OS is officially released and actively updated with new features and bug fixes.
Extended Support:
OS isn’t sold anymore but still gets security updates.
It might not work with the latest hardware or features
End of Life (EOL):
The company stops supporting it—no more updates.
If you’re still using it, you’re at risk of hacks and viruses.
Windows Versions
Windows has had lots of different versions over the years—like Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11.
Each new version usually comes with a new look (called the user interface or “UI”), new features, and support for newer hardware (like newer printers or graphics cards).
windows editions
“Editions” are like trim levels of that car. For example, Windows Home and Windows Pro are both Windows 10, but they’re built for different needs.
