1.7 Operating Systems

Operating systems are software systems that make using computers more convenient for users, application developers and system administrators. Operating systems provide services that allow each application to execute safely, efficiently and concurrently (i.e., in parallel) with other applications. The software that contains the core components of the operating system is called the kernel. Popular desktop operating systems include Linux, Windows 7 and Mac OS X. Popular mobile operating systems used in smartphones and tablets include Google’s Android, BlackBerry OS and Apple’s iOS (for its iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices).

Windows—A Proprietary Operating System

In the mid-1980s, Microsoft developed the Windows operating ...

Get Java How to Program (early objects), 9/e now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.