In computing, the term "operating system" refers to the set of programs that manage the computer's resources.
It is often also called OS (Operating System).
Every action taken on your computer is continuously controlled by the operating system. It is the operating system that first authorizes the action to be performed and allocates resources for this purpose. In short, it is the operating system that makes the rain and the sun shine on a computer.
There are two main operating systems : Windows and Mac.
Each of these is actually divided into several different operating systems.
Mac : its versions and its general policy
Mac is published by the company Apple. Every year in the fall, Apple releases a new operating system. They all have a number and a name to identify them. You will have the system 12 "Monterey", 11 "Big Sur", 10.15 "Catalina", 10.14 "Mojave", etc. ...
Since 10.9 "Mavericks", the names are given after places in the state of California.
Once a new operating system is released, Apple maintains it for more or less two years. That is, during this period, Apple will offer updates to this operating system that correct bugs and adapt the OS to technological developments. Unlike Microsoft (Windows), Apple communicates very little about the length of time during which OSes benefit from updates as well as about the end of production of these updates.
Windows : its versions and general policy
Windows is published by the Microsoft company. Its policy is totally different from Mac. Windows releases a major version that keeps several years (Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, etc. ...). About every three months, an update is proposed for the operating system to correct bugs and adapt the OS to technological developments. Smaller updates are performed much more frequently, some of them "in the background" (i.e. they are performed while you are working on your computer without Microsoft informing you beforehand).
Microsoft clearly defines how long the company will provide updates to the operating system. Thus, there are no surprises. For example, we knew when Windows 7 was released that this operating system would be maintained for ten years. Also as this term approaches, Microsoft has publicly announced that from January 14, 2020, there will be no more maintenance on Windows 7 and invited users to switch to Windows 10.
One major and fundamental difference between Mac and Windows : Apple creates both the operating system and the machine itself. When you buy a Mac, you buy the machine and its operating system. Windows works differently: Microsoft publishes the operating system and this system can be installed on computers offered by a number of manufacturers (Dell, Asus, HP, etc...). Microsoft does not control the whole chain and must therefore be more flexible than Mac.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. It is up to each person to determine what suits them best according to their habits and budget.
There is, however, an exception concerning Microsoft's Surface products.
Here, Microsoft also builds the machines and just like Apple, sells machines with the latest versions of Windows.
Things to keep in mind :
- The age of the computer
The more operating systems evolve, the more resources they demand from your computer. So an "old" computer will have trouble running a newer OS. In some cases, the operating system detects blatant incompatibilities and will not offer you updates. Sometimes, the operating system will consider that the update is possible and will propose it to you. But be careful, "possible" does not mean "recommended" or "suitable". You can do the update and realize while using it that your computer is slower, that some functionalities and software run badly or very slowly... Depending on the age of the computer, this will be considered as normal. You then usually have the possibility to uninstall the update. But it is often a sign that the computer should be replaced by a newer one.
- The importance of the OS in relation to the software
Every software that is in your computer has been developed for one or more specific operating systems. Using software on a non-compatible OS can lead to malfunctions.
- The importance of OS maintenance
When your operating system offers updates, it is necessary to install them. These updates are deployed to correct malfunctions and keep the operating system technology up to date.
Refusing updates, as well as continuing to use an operating system that is no longer maintained by its publisher, exposes you to a number of risks. The technologies are no longer adapted and this can have an impact on the data contained in your computer. Also, the security systems of your computer being obsolete, you may find yourself without any protection against computer malware.
- Resource distribution
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, it is the operating system that distributes resources to the computer's components. If too many actions are requested at the same time, the operating system will distribute the resources well. This means that each action will have few resources to run. Sometimes it will be really too little to run the software or application. That's when you see those famous software become white with the mention "xxx does not respond". At this point, it is not the software that is at fault, but the lack of resources. It is necessary to check that all the actions being executed on the computer are really necessary. And beware: some tasks run in the background without your knowledge. You should check the task manager to see what is really running on your computer.