The history of computer operating systems is relatively
new. Early versions of computers didn’t
run on any kind of operating system which made them complicated to operate for
the general user. The user had sole use
of the machine and would arrive armed with programs and data generally on
punched paper tape. The program would be
loaded into the machine and the machine would set to work until it was
completed or the computer crashed.
Over the years, operating systems have evolved to more
user-friendly software programs that make it easier for everyone to use a
computer in a more efficient way. As
machines became more powerful, the necessity for some type of program to manage
the data and the processes became more and more important.
One of the first operating systems that came about
originated at Microsoft with the invention of MS-DOS. This operating system called for users to
enter commands in to make a system perform certain tasks. While it wasn’t for everyone, it was still a
step forward into computer technology.
The next step in the history of operating systems came from
Apple Corporation with the advent of Mac OS.
The Macintosh operating system was the basis for a lot of the operating
systems we see on computers today. This
operating system was the first to introduce graphical user interfaces (GUI)
that made navigating the personal computer much easier for any user.
Using Mac OS as a model, Microsoft began re-vamping their
own operating system eventually releasing the first version of Microsoft
Windows which also used graphical user interfaces (GUI) technology to make it
easier to use a computer. As user
requirements became more demanding, Microsoft developed more and more operating
system versions to make the computer more efficient.
While Mac OS was the basis for Windows, the latter has
certainly taken over the market in popularity.
The history of Windows as an operating system is certainly much more
involved than Mac. The many versions of
Windows – each improving on the other – has made computer technology evolve
into a science that is ever-growing and ever-changing.
Even though computer technology is a relatively new
phenomenon, the history of operating systems has a long past. As different versions of the two biggies –
Windows and Mac OS – come out, a new page is written in the computer history
“books”. Just as the history of
operating systems has evolved over the years, it will continue to evolve. Programmers will make operating systems
better and better and make our computer usage easier and easier.
