An 'operating system' (OS) is a type of software that interprets your commands and acts as an interface between the software you are using and the computer hardware. People have been developing new types of operating systems since the early days of computers.
Microsoft’s Windows, Apple’s macOS and iOS, and the various distributions of Linux and Android, are all examples of OSs that users interact with.
Over the years, increasingly advanced features have been incorporated, including network capabilities, unique windowing systems and voice assistants--to such an extent that operating systems are seamlessly integrated into many of the devices we use in our everyday lives. Your phone, car stereo, computer and even McDonald's kiosks use an OS to provide their basic functionality.
There is no official count yet on the total number of operating systems globally. Attempts have been made to document this, and it is sitting around 1,300.1
In the following topics, we will:
Topic 2: Identify suitable operating systems
Topic 3: Install, configure, test and optimise operating systems
Topic 4: Resolve operating system problems using command-line options and system tools
Topic 5: Provide instruction for new operating system implementation
