You’d be surprised how many people, despite using it on a daily basis, don’t know what an operating system is, what its functions are, and why it’s an essential component. This was already the case decades ago, with the proliferation of computers, but it has grown exponentially with the arrival of new devices and also with the introduction of electronics into many aspects of our lives. We spend all day interacting with operating systems, so it is important that we are able to understand what they are, what they offer us and of course also what we cannot expect from them.

Yes, you read that right, although many people tend to associate the term operating system with a computer and also mostly with mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.), the truth is that its presence is not limited to these, very often Operating systems can be found on the contrary in cars , televisions, coffee machines. Obviously, it’s not the same on some devices as it is on others, but don’t worry, we’ll cover that in more detail a little later. For now, let’s start by answering the main question.

What is the operating system?

· It is a set of software responsible for mediating between hardware and applications, while also providing an interface between the system and the user. Think of each PC component as a member of an orchestra, each with a different instrument, possibly a different formation (although of course with common elements that make them “compatible” with each other) and that they “speak” in a language, i.e. score, incomprehensible to the vast majority of people, including of all the people who attend his concerts.

The conductor of the orchestra is primarily responsible for ensuring that all members of the band act in a unified, integrated manner, even in cases where two or more members of the orchestra interact directly. And of course, he makes sure that what could be a nonsensical and unpleasant cacophony becomes something understandable and enjoyable for the people who listen to it. Of course, with nuances, but this analogy can help you better understand the reason for the operating system, and therefore why you need it whenever you interact with the device or even when it works passively.

Types of operating systems

We can make a classification based on different criteria. However, we mainly distinguish the following types of operating systems:

• operating system bench: the most famous, Windows, macOS, Linux, etc., are those found in personal computers, whether they are desktops or laptops.
• Operating system mobile: the main examples in this case are iOS and Android, but as we told you a few days ago, there are other interesting alternatives. The features and definitions are similar to desktop, the only difference is that they are specific to smartphones, tablets, etc.
• Operating system inserted: used in electronic devices such as routers, smart TVs, automobiles, etc.
• operating system server: as its own name suggests, they are operating systems designed specifically for systems that will perform the role of a server, whatever the type. Among them we find Windows Server and several proposals based on Linux, among others.
• operating systems in real time: used in critical applications that require immediate and completely reliable response.

We can also classify them according to whether their purpose is more or less specific. In this case we have the following:

• Universal operating systems: are those found in computers, smartphones, tablets and devices of this type. When we talk about general purpose, we can also refer to them as multi-purpose because they have been designed to suit a large number of different uses, making them adaptable to the needs of the vast majority of users.
• Specific operating systems: in this case we are talking about an operating system that was specially designed for a specific purpose. Here we find mainly those from embedded systems, although we can also think that server operating systems belong to this category.

Another classification we can use is related to its interface, and therefore the way we interact with them. In this regard, we can mainly distinguish the following groups:

• Graphical interface: This is the type of operating system we are most used to, as it is present in the vast majority of computers and mobile devices. Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, etc. use a graphical environment with a lot of visual metaphors that make it easier for the user to use. Graphical interfaces played a key role especially in the 1990s for the popularization of computer technology outside the professional environment.
• command line: Even if you don’t know what it consists of, you’ve probably seen a picture of someone controlling a computer using text commands on many occasions. Most users feel a great reluctance towards this type of interface, because they are much more complex, require prior knowledge of commands and their parameters, and are, of course, much more spartan visually. However, the command line is highly valued in professional environments because it tends to be faster, more flexible, and more reliable than graphical mode. Here are a few reasons why you might want to give it a try.
• Web interface: although we could classify the operating systems of this group between the two previous ones, the peculiarity is that they do not have their own interface elements. Instead, they have an integrated web server that we can access and use remotely through a web browser. If you’ve ever used your web browser to access addresses like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 to modify your router’s configuration, you’ve already used this type of interface.
• physical interface: This is the least common type, but not non-existent. The elements for accessing the functions of the operating system, as well as for knowing its state and the activities it manages, are based exclusively on physical elements, such as buttons and other controls, LEDs, information screens, etc. A closer example of a physical control interface can be found at TV remote controls.

It is important to clarify at this point that some operating systems may offer two or even three of these modes. For example, Linux is at its core a command-line operating system, but many of its distributions come standard with graphical environments that are installed with the system. Another example is server operating systems, as many can only be installed in command-line mode (the preferred choice for most administrators) or with a graphical interface that complements the command line.

In the opposite direction, we find Windows and macOS, operating systems with a graphical interface, but they also offer one or more console tools that allow you to perform many system tasks through the command line.

Why do I need an operating system?

At this point, you are surely perfectly capable of answering this question yourself. Without an operating system, devices can’t work, but even if they did, we wouldn’t be able to use them. This explains why, although we can count the most popular operating systems on our fingers, in reality the list of all of them, or even just the most relevant ones, is incredibly longer than most think, as you can see here.