Windows and unix operating systems

1. UNIX :
UNIX is a powerful, multi-user and multitasking operating system originally developed at AT & T Bell Laboratories. This operating system is very popular among the scientific, engineering and academic due to its most appreciating features like flexibility, portability, network capabilities etc.

2. Windows :
Microsoft window is a most demanding Graphical user Interface (GUI) based operating system that replaces all the command line based functions to the user friendly screens. Microsoft introduced a series of versions with the latest functions.

Difference between UNIX and Windows Operating System :

Sr. No.	Basis	UNIX	Windows
1.	Open Source Code	It is an open source code.	It is not an open source code.
2.	Stability	It is more stable.	As, multiple programs are running. So it is unstable.
3.	Case-sensitivity	It is case sensitive.	It is not a case sensitive.
4.	File-extension	In this, extensions have not affect on the type of file.	In this, certain file extensions are used to identify the type of file.
5.	Device drive	In this, several ways are used to manage the device drivers.	After the installation of Windows, the various device-drivers packages provide interactive GUI for the configuration of devices.
6.	Recovery	We cannot recover our data.	In this, we can recover our data from the recycle-bin, because in this after the deletion of data it will store in the recycle-bin.
7.	Processing Power	It has greater processing power.	It has less processing power.
8.	Security	It has greater in-built security.	It has less in-built security.
9.	Virus Attacks	It has interface between user and kernel known as shell, so it does not face any virus attack.	In this, we don’t have shell interface. User direct interact with hardware and it enhances the attack of virus.
10.	File-system	In this, file system is represented as a hierarchical tree under the same root. There is no drive system like drive C, drive D etc.	In this, file system can have many hierarchies; for example, different file system for each partitions and these partitions are represented as drive alphabet letters like as C: D: etc.

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Is the Unix Operating System for You?

An operating system serves as the software layer between your device’s hardware and the programs that you run. The three most common desktop-class operating systems for the retail market are Windows, macOS, and Linux.

There’s really no such thing as «Unix» as a specific operating system. Rather, Unix refers to a family of operating systems, the most common of which include macOS, Android, and Linux. Windows is not a Unix variant.

Unix vs. Windows: A Competitive History and Future

The Unix computer operating system has been in use for more than three decades. Originally it rose from the ashes of a failed attempt in the early 1960s to develop a reliable timesharing operating system. A few survivors from Bell Labs did not give up and developed a system that provided a work environment described as «of unusual simplicity, power, and elegance.»

Since the 1980’s Unix’s main competitor, Windows, has gained popularity due to the steadily increasing power of micro-computers with Intel-compatible processors, which is the platform that Windows was designed for. In recent years, however, a new version of Unix called Linux, also specifically developed for micro-computers, has emerged. It can be obtained for free and is, therefore, a good choice for people and businesses on a budget.

On the server front, Unix has been closing in on Microsoft’s market share. In 1999, Linux scooted past Novell’s Netware to become the No. 2 server operating system behind Windows NT. In 2001 the market share for the Linux operating system was 25 percent; other Unix flavors 12 percent. On the client front, Microsoft is currently dominating the operating system market with over 90 percent market share.

Advantages of Unix

Unix-based operating systems were developed to be robust, multi-user environments optimized for both desktop and server use. The philosophy of modern Linux distributions favors open-source solutions and free software.

Disadvantages of Unix

Compared to Windows, learning Linux can be a bit more challenging. Although contemporary Linux distributions are generally well-polished, much software for the home market, including a lot of games, are still written for the Windows platform.

Most home computers ship with Windows 10. Microsoft Office runs best on Windows, as do many bleeding-edge games.

Because some aspects of LInux benefit from the use of a shell prompt, people unfamiliar with text-based OS management might be a bit lost.

Unix vs. Windows

Which operating system is better?

An operating system is a sophisticated computer program that makes it possible for you to interact with the software and hardware on a computer. If you’re like millions of people who bought a PC, you use the Windows operating system that came installed on the machine. But did you know that you can use other operating systems, such as Unix, instead? We reviewed both Windows and Unix to help you determine which operating system better meets your computing needs.

The information in this article applies to Windows 10 and UNIX V7, which is aligned with the Single UNIX Specification Version 4, 2018 Edition. (Unix refers to a family of operating systems, while UNIX is the trademarked name of the technology owned by The Open Group.)

Overall Findings

Created in 1969, now owned by The Open Group.

Command-line interface (CLI) operating system.

Built-in security, but updates must be installed manually.

Built on an open standard, but the Single UNIX Specification provides a standard and ensures continuity across different distributions of Unix.

Has a steep learning curve.

Originally released in 1985.

Compatible with thousands of applications and utilities.

Updates and fixes can be downloaded and installed automatically.

Huge support community.

The code is proprietary, owned by Microsoft.

Unix arose from a failed attempt by several employees of AT&T Bell Labs in the early 1960s to develop a reliable time-sharing operating system. Despite the failed attempt, Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie of Bell Labs didn’t give up. They created an integrated development environment described as being «of unusual simplicity, power, and elegance.» The operating system took off, and today it runs many of the world’s web sites and cloud computing platforms.

In the 1980s, an up-and-coming competitor to Unix called Windows began gaining popularity, in part because of the increasing power of microcomputers with Intel processors. At the time, Windows was the only major operating system designed for this type of processor, and Unix was used manly on servers. Today, there are distributions of Unix and Unix-like operating systems such as Linux that run on a PC.

Interacting With the Operating System: Windows Is Easier to Use

Must run commands from the terminal to interact with the operating system.

Can install a desktop or windows manager to run on Unix, but need to know basic Unix commands.

Unix offers fine control and flexibility.

Designed for use with a mouse, trackpad, or touch screen.

Windows offers a Command Prompt window for fine control and flexibility.

There are two types of operating systems:

• CLI-based operating system: You type a text command in a terminal, and the computer carries out that command. The computer’s response is in plain-text format.
• GUI-based operating system: You interact with the computer by selecting objects such as buttons, icons, and menus on the desktop or in applications using a mouse, keyboard, or touch screen.

Windows is designed for use with a GUI. It has a Command Prompt window, but only those with more advanced Windows knowledge should use it. Unix natively runs from a CLI, but you can install a desktop or windows manager such as GNOME to make it more user-friendly.

Ease of Use: Unix Has a High Learning Curve

Portable and consistent.

String utilities and commands together.

Significant learning curve.

Unix is flexible, and you can install it on all types of computers, including mainframes, supercomputers, and microcomputers. Unix also inspires novel approaches to software design, such as solving problems by interconnecting simpler tools instead of creating large, monolithic applications.

The Windows operating system is more limited than Unix in terms of what it can do, but it’s relatively easy for anyone to use.

Software: Extensive Support With Windows

Built-in security and stability.

Updates don’t require software purchases.

Must install operating system updates manually.

Troubleshooting problems can be tricky.

Extensive support from Microsoft, plus a large user community.

Compatible with thousands of applications, tools, and utilities.

Unix is more stable and doesn’t crash as often as Windows, so it requires less administration and maintenance. Unix has greater security and permissions features than Windows out of the box and is more efficient than Windows. Unix also has a massive online community that you can draw on for troubleshooting or learning new command-line skills. Operating system upgrades from Microsoft often require you to purchase new hardware; this isn’t the case with Unix.

Microsoft maintains a massive knowledge base for its operating system. That knowledge base, coupled with a vibrant user community, can help resolve technical issues relatively easily. Windows supports a large library of software, utilities, and games, as well as extensive plug-and-play support. You can configure Windows to install updates automatically to improve security, as well as add or improve features. With Unix, you must install such updates manually.

Final Verdict: It Depends on What You Want Your Operating System For

If you want to surf the web and play video games, do homework, or work from home, Windows is a great choice. It’s more widely used on home computers than Unix, but it’s also expensive to purchase and to maintain. Unix is a potentially less expensive (depending on the distribution you choose), more flexible option. If you recently started with Unix and don’t want to invest in a formal Unix operating system such as IBM AIX or Sun Solaris, free versions are available, including FreeBSD and various Linux distributions (Linux is a Unix-like operating system).

If you’re an aspiring or experienced computer user, however, and like to tinker and customize the operating system, these mostly free or inexpensive open-source operating systems are attractive because of the flexibility and control these systems offer. To make Unix and Unix-like operating systems even more appealing, many programmers are developing state-of-the-art software free of charge for the fast-growing open-source movement.

Windows vs. Linux: a comparison

The dispute over which operating system is the best is almost as old as computers themselves. One thing which should be clear before we get started: there’s not just one answer to that question. Furthermore, the old ‘Windows is for normal users, but pros use Linux’ saying is no longer quite as justified.

In this comparison we will only be looking at client versions of the operating systems. You can find out more about the differences between Linux and Windows in servers in our dedicated article.

Each operating system has its advantages and disadvantages. Our aim in this article is to compare the most significant aspects, so that each user can decide for themselves whether or not to switch or stick.

Windows

Microsoft Windows has been top dog in the world of operating systems for decades, only really suffering losses in recent years. In the mobile sector, Android has gained in popularity, and given the incredible speed at which the smartphone market is developing, Windows is no longer able to keep pace. But if you own a desktop PC or laptop, the chances are that you probably have Windows installed – unless of course you’re an Apple user. But that’s an entirely different, and even older, argument.

Windows has been around since 1985, and ever since its first release it has had a decisive influence on the functions and design of graphical operating systems. Indeed, one of the reasons for its popularity is that most people are familiar with using it. And at the same time, it is the user-oriented design of Windows which has made it so successful. However, Microsoft has also always been subject to a lot of criticism. Windows users all know, for example, that the system crashes from time to time, and the blue screen of death has become legendary.

On the other hand, the fact that Windows has been the market leader for so many years is what gives it one of its biggest advantages as far as users are concerned: the range of software available for Windows is unmatchable. Practically every program released today is compatible with Windows, whereas with other operating systems, it’s not uncommon for there to be no compatible version, because the development effort involved would be too great for too small a target audience. In addition, there are also Microsoft’s own products, primarily the Office Suite, which very few users are willing to do without.

But market leadership also has its disadvantages: Computers running Windows are more frequently subject to cyber attacks. On Windows systems, the favored method of attack is the introduction of viruses and malware. This is due to several factors, including the system’s widespread distribution, the type of users (in that the latter, unlike Linux users, tend to have little in-depth IT knowledge), and the complexity of the program structure, which makes it difficult to understand. Moreover, Microsoft is still somewhat reluctant about adopting the open-source mindset, even though the very fact of making source code visible means it can be more thoroughly checked for security flaws, because it is scrutinized by more people.

Advantages	Disadvantages
✔ Beginner-friendly	✘ Overly complex
✔ Large range of software	✘ More frequently targeted by malware
✔ Pre-installed on many devices	✘ Not open source
✔ Comprehensive driver support	✘ Cost of licenses

Linux

To be precise, ‘Linux’ as such does not actually exist. Its historical background lies in the 1960s, with the development of Unix. However, Unix is a proprietary operating system, which is why computer scientist Linus Torvalds developed an open-source alternative in the early 1990s: the Linux kernel. During the course of the following decades, various distributions were then developed based on this, for example Ubuntu. The kernel itself is only really operational when combined with one of these distributions.

Given that the various Linux distributions are mainly the result of community-driven projects, commercial interests are rarely the focus of further development and distribution. This means that none of the distributions can even hope to equal the marketing power behind Microsoft. It also explains why many end users are only vaguely aware of Linux.

Today, most of the distributions have an understandable graphical user interface (GUI). Nonetheless, newcomers to Linux are still faced with a number of hurdles. Whereas many Windows users never even come into contact with the system console, in many Linux distributions, some applications can only be installed via the terminal. Using console commands is therefore unavoidable in Linux.

Since none of the Linux distributions are as widely used as Windows, many software developers do not consider it worthwhile adapting their products for Linux. Consequently, in terms of compatible software, the choice is far more limited for Linux than for the Microsoft operating system. In the professional sector the difference is not quite so marked (for example, there are now Linux-compatible alternatives to the Office applications), but in the entertainment sector it’s a very different story – computer games for Linux are few and far between for instance.

But while it may be lacking in qualities as far as the entertainment sector goes, Linux has gained fans because it is considered to be particularly stable and adaptable. Whereas Windows attempts to hide as many system settings as possible, with Linux everything is accessible. Users with the right knowledge have much more freedom.

Advantages	Disadvantages
✔ Mostly free	✘ Limited range of software
✔ Mostly open source	✘ Significant barriers to entry for those with little IT knowledge
✔ Very stable
✔ Extensive configuration possibilities

Windows vs. Linux – a bumper comparison table

To help you decide which operating system is best for you, we have compiled the following table to compare the key points.

Windows	Linux
Cost	The latest Windows operating system has many different versions and pricing options.	Most Linux distributions are free of charge (at least for private users).
Licensing model	Proprietary software.	The Linux kernel and most of the distributions are open source and (often) available under a GNU General Public License (GPU).
User-friendliness	From the outset, Windows was designed to be as simple to use as possible, even for users with no IT knowledge.	While it’s true that Ubuntu in particular is relatively easy for Windows users to grasp, with most of the other Linux distributions, there are significant barriers to entry for newcomers.
Graphical user interface	Microsoft set standards with its Windows GUI.	Users of Linux distributions have many freedoms in designing the GUI and can even do away with it altogether.
Support	Windows offers a large range of support services, both within the system and online. There is also comprehensive specialist literature available aimed at users with various levels of knowledge.	Linux support comes from the extensive user community. You can find an answer to almost every problem in the online forums and Wikis.
Software	Most software released is compatible with Windows.	There are far fewer applications designed specifically for Linux, although some Windows programs can run on Linux.
Installing programs	Programs are installed by downloading them from websites or from physical storage media.	In Linux, the majority of programs, drivers and packages are supplied via fixed repositories.
Uninstalling programs	When programs are uninstalled, some components remain on the system.	In Linux, programs are always completely removed.
Hardware	Windows drivers are available for almost any hardware.	Hardware support is more limited. Some drivers are not available immediately.
Reliability	Although the stability of Windows has improved in recent years, most Linux distributions are still far superior in this respect.	Linux and its distributions are known for being very stable to run.
Security	Windows systems are regularly threatened by viruses and other malware.	Linux systems are only attacked very rarely.
Speed	Windows is known for slowing down the longer it is used.	Linux generally runs very quickly.
Updates	Users are sometimes forced to install updates. Most updates are stable.	Each user decides which updates they want to install. These are sometimes experimental and therefore not recommended for all users.
Trial version	You can download and install a trial version of Windows without paying for a license.	Since most of the distributions are free of charge, you can easily try them out. Many of them can even run off a USB flash drive, so you don’t even need to install them.
Types of user	Windows is targeted at all types of user, from occasional to expert. Due to the wide range of Windows-compatible software, the operating system is suitable for professional use as well as for entertainment purposes.	Using Linux requires a minimum level of specialist knowledge. Furthermore, since many computer games are only available in limited versions, Linux distributions tend to be more suited to professional IT users.

Conclusion: which operating system is right for you?

In many ways, Linux beats its competitor, Microsoft. The open-source solutions are known for their stability, security and speed. However, to benefit from these advantages, you have to take a closer look at the operating system. Getting started is not particularly easy with any of the current Linux distributions. To get the system set up perfectly, you will need to acquire quite a bit of knowledge and really get to grips with its subtleties. Without this, you won’t have much luck with Linux.

In contrast, Windows is designed to operate out of the box, and it achieves this somewhat better than its reputation might lead you to believe. In recent years, Microsoft has made significant improvements to its operating system. Users looking for a functional system, which does not require extensive configuration, are especially likely to be satisfied with Windows. Its ease of use combined with extensive compatibility makes Windows a good choice for most users.

However, to get a better idea of which operating system would suit you best, why not simply give Linux a try? Most of the distributions are available online free of charge, and you can even run the second operating system on a virtual machine without making changes to your current system. Another option is to use a bootable USB drive and take advantage of the fact that many Linux distributions do not need to be installed on a hard drive and can run directly off a USB stick. This way you can try out several Linux distributions, which is worth doing, because they can vary quite significantly from one another.