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Brief history of operating systems

October 23, 2018

Brief history of operating systems

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Operating System History: From Resident Monitor to Windows

We couldn’t live without them today. Operating systems are essential for the functioning of our computers, mobile phones and, in short, the devices and computer infrastructures that we use in our daily lives and allow modern societies to run smoothly.

Operating systems are basic to the operation of both the hardware and software on our devices.

However, just like everything else, they haven’t always been there. The operating systems had an origin and have had a history that is closely linked to the development of information technology itself.

In this post we are going to see, very briefly, how the first operating systems were and how they have been developed over time.

A brief operating system history

In order to find the first operative systems we must travel to the decade of the 50’s of the 20th Century.

Previously, during the 1940s, programs were introduced directly onto the machine hardware through a series of micro switches. In the 1950s some technologies emerged that allowed a more “simple” interaction between the user and the computer.

Resident monitor: this is a system that loads the program into the computer, reading it from a tape or punched cards. This technology gave rise to the first operating system in history, created in 1956 for an IBM 704 computer, which was responsible for loading programs successively (starting with the next one when the previous one had finished loading), reducing the work time required.

Temporary storage: this is a system that also tried to increase speed by simultaneously loading programs and executing tasks.

In the 1960s, the rise of the integrated circuit launched the power of computers, and operating systems responded by becoming increasingly complex and offering new techniques.

Multiprogramming: In this technique, the main memory already holds more than one program, and the operating system is responsible for allocating the machine’s resources to execute tasks based on existing needs.

Timeshare: This is a system that assigns the execution of applications within a group of users working online.

Real time: it is used specially in the area of telecommunications, it is responsible for processing events external to the computer, so that, once a certain time has passed without success, it considers them as failed.

Multiprocessor: these are systems that try to manage the readings and writings made in memory by two programs that are running simultaneously, in order to avoid errors. As their name suggests, they are designed for use in computers that use more than one processor.

In the 1970s, IT continued to become increasingly complex, resulting in the first versions of some of the operating systems that have served as the basis for many of the ones we use today, such as UNIX.

The operating systems of this decade are still available only to highly qualified users, and their complexity means that they consume a large amount of resources. Among the most outstanding, in addition to UNIX, we find MULTICS, BDOS and CP/M, widely used in computers with Intel microprocessor.

The 1980s gave rise to the boom in commercial computing. The arrival of computers in thousands of offices and homes changes the focus of operating systems, forcing the development of more user-friendly systems that introduced graphic elements such as menus.

In this decade the development is such that it gives rise to some operating systems already legendary, and that contribute to the rise of computing in later decades, such as C++, SunOS (developed by Sun Microsystems and derived from UNIX), AmigaOS (developed for the Commodore Amiga) and some classics such as these:

MS-DOS: developed by Microsoft for IBM PCs, which contributed enormously to the popularization of computing and gave rise to Windows systems.

Mac OS: a system of Macintosh computers developed by Apple Inc, launched in 1984, and which included a novel graphic interface and the use of the mouse (a rarity at that time for users that were used to typing commands).
The decade of the 90’s continues with the explosive line marked in the 80’s, giving rise to many of the operating systems that, in more modern versions, we use today:

GNU/Linux: it was developed based on UNIX, and which is one of the greatest exponents of free software. Today, GNU/Linux is widely used all over the world, having a pre-eminence close to 100% in fields as striking as supercomputers.

Solaris: also developed on UNIX basis by Sun Microsystems for servers and workstations.

Microsoft Windows: which has resulted in a popular family of commercially successful operating systems used by millions of users around the world.

In the first decade of the present century, new operating systems continue to succeed each other, perhaps with less impact than those that emerged in the previous decade, but have their own place. Highlights include SymbOS, MorphOS, Darwin, Mac OS, Haiku and OpenSolaris.

So now we see the current decade, in which the rise of phones gives rise to some popular operating systems, including Android, developed by Google or iOS, created by Apple.

The operating system history is relatively short, but it has been very intense.

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A History of Microsoft Windows – Timeline

Don’t be surprised if I say that 9 out of 10 computers run some version of the Windows operating system, today. However, no one could have predicted this outcome when the whole journey started with MS-DOS and a vision to have every computer on a desktop. Below, you will find a chronology of events that take you through highlights from the first 25 years of Windows, more preferably – A History of Windows.

In 1975, Gates and Allen formed a partnership called Microsoft. Like most start-ups, Microsoft began small but had a huge vision—a computer on every desktop and in every home. During the next years, Microsoft began to change the ways we work.

In June 1980, Gates and Allen hired Gates’ former Harvard classmate Steve Ballmer to help run the company.

IBM approached Microsoft about a project code-named “Chess.” In response, Microsoft focused on a new operating system—the software that manages, or runs, the computer hardware and also serves to bridge the gap between the computer hardware and programs, such as a word processor. It’s the foundation on which computer programs can run. They named their new operating system “MS-DOS.”

When the IBM PC is running MS-DOS shipped in 1981, it introduced a whole new language to the general public.

Microsoft worked on the first version of a new operating system. Interface Manager was the code name and was considered as the final name, but Windows prevailed because it best described the boxes or computing “windows” that were fundamental to the new system. Windows was announced in 1983, but it took a while to develop. Skeptics called it “vaporware.”

On November 20, 1985, two years after the initial announcement, Microsoft shipped Windows 1.0.

History of Windows

MS-DOS

Windows 1.0 required a minimum of 256 kilobytes (KB), two double-sided floppy disk drives, and a graphics adapter card. A hard disk and 512 KB memory was recommended for running multiple programs or when using DOS 3.0 or higher. It was originally developed by Microsoft for IBM-compatible personal computers. Although the first version of OS from Microsoft, MS-DOS was a little-used or preferred alternative to Apple’s Macintosh. Despite witnessing little success, Microsoft continued to offer support for MS-DOS till the development of Windows XP.

Q: Ever wondered, what MS-DOS stood for?

Microsoft Disk Operating System

Windows 1.0 – 2.0 (1985-1992)

Instead of typing MS-DOS commands, Windows 1.0 allowed users to point and click to access the windows.

In 1987 Microsoft released Windows 2.0, which was designed for the Intel 286 processor. This version added desktop icons, keyboard shortcuts, and improved graphics support.

Q: Why was Windows OS named so?

Microsoft Windows 1.0 was named so since the computing boxes, or Windows design represented a fundamental aspect of the operating system.

Windows 3.0 – 3.1 (1990–1994)

Microsoft released Windows 3.0 in May 1900 offering better icons, performance and advanced graphics with 16 colors designed for Intel 386 processors. Its popularity grew by manifolds following the release of SDK that helped software developers focus more on writing and less on writing device drivers. With Windows 3.0 Microsoft completely rewrote the application development environment. The OS included Program Manager, File Manager, Print Manager and games, remember Solitare, a complete time-waster??

Q: What does SDK stand for?

SDK refers to a set of tools that allows for the creation of applications for certain software.

Windows 95 (August 1995)

A major release of the Microsoft Windows operating system that caused Apple’s Market share to decline or shrink was Windows 95. Windows 95 as the name suggests was released in 1995 represented a significant advance over its precursor, Windows 3.1. By the way, this was also the time when the first version of Microsoft’s proprietary browser – Internet Explorer 1 was rolled out in August 1995 to catch up the Internet wave.

Windows 98 (June 1998)

Described as an operating system that “Works Better & Plays Better, ‘Windows 98’ offered support for a number of new technologies, including FAT32, AGP, MMX, USB, DVD, and ACPI. Also, it was the first OS to include a tool called Windows Update. The tool alerted the customers when software updates became available for their computers.

Q: Which was the last version based on MS-DOS application?

Windows 98 indeed, was the last version based on MS?DOS.

Windows ME – Millennium Edition (September 2000)

The Windows Millennium Edition, referred as “Windows Me” was an update to the Windows 98 core that included some features of the Windows 2000 operating system. The version had the “boot in DOS” option removed but included other enhancements like Windows Media player and Movie Maker for basic video editing.

Q: System Restore, a feature that rolled your PC software configuration back to a date or time before a problem occurred first appeared in which version of Windows?

Windows ME – Millennium Edition

Windows NT 3.1 – 4.0 (1993-1996)

A version of the Windows OS with 32-bit support for preemptive multitasking. Two versions of Windows NT:

1. Windows NT Server – Designed to act as a server in networks
2. Windows NT – Workstation for stand-alone or client workstations

Windows 2000 (February 2000)

W2K (abbreviated form) was an operating system for business desktop and laptop systems to run software applications, connect to Internet and intranet sites, and access files, printers, and network resources. Windows 2000 4 versions released by Microsoft

1. Professional (for business desktop and laptop systems)
2. Server (both a Web server and an office server)
3. Advanced Server (for line-of-business applications)
4. Datacenter Server (for high-traffic computer networks)

Windows XP (October 2001)

This version of the OS was built on Windows 2000 Kernel and was introduced in 2001 along with a redesigned look and feel. It was made available to the public in 2 versions

1. Windows XP Home
2. Windows XP Professional

Microsoft focused on mobility for both editions, including plug and play features for connecting to wireless networks was introduced in this version of Windows, and it proved to one of Microsoft’s best-selling products. Its use started declining with more Windows 7 deployments.

Windows Vista (November 2006)

A marketing flop! People expected too much from its WOW factor. Windows Vista released in November 2006 was widely criticized for performance related issues.

Windows 7 (October 2009)

Windows 7 made its official debut on October 22, 2009. The OS included enhancements in the form of fast start-up time, Aero Snap, Aero Shake, support for virtual hard disks, a new and improved Windows Media Center, and better security features.

Windows 8

Bill Gates’ vision of future computing was Touch and voice replacing mouse and keyboard. We already have the touch with Windows 8, a completely redesigned OS built from the ground up.

The OS replaces the more traditional Microsoft Windows OS look and feels with a new “Modern Interface” consisting of flat tiles that first debuted in the Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system.

Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 changed a few things for the better which were found wanting in Windows 8.

Notable changes included a visible Start button, improved Start screen, Internet Explorer 11, tighter OneDrive integration, Bing-powered unified search box, the ability to land on the desktop on login instead of the Start screen.

Windows 10

Windows 10 has been described as the ‘last operating system’ from Microsoft. It is now a series of releases that receives half-yearly feature updates. They are referred to as Windows 10 v1501, Windows 10 1803 and so on..

The OS introduced Edge a new browser meant to replace Internet Explorer. It supports Universal Apps which Universal apps can be designed to run across multiple Microsoft product families like PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub and Mixed Reality. It has been well received – but its Automatic Windows Update system is one area that is disliked by some.

Date: October 16, 2018 Tags: Microsoft, Misc