The evolution of the Operating System

When we say Operating System, we think about MacOS, Windows, Linux etc. Early generations of Operating System didn't look like that. There are four generations of Operating System.

The first generation (1940s - 1950s)

1940 is the year when the first electronic computer was developed. This computer was created without any operating system. In that time, program was written for each task in absolute machine language. It was used for solving only simple mathematical calculations and this calculations didn't require an operating system.

The second generation (1955 - 1965)

The second generation represent the first operating system known as GMOS. This operating system was developed for the IBM computer. GMOS was based on single stream batch processing system, because it collects all similar jobs in groups or batches and then submits the jobs to the operating system using a punch card to complete all jobs in a machine. Operating system is cleaned after completing one job and then continues to read and initiates the next job in punch card. In that time, machines were very big and not everyone could use them, but only professional operators.

The third generation (1965 - 1980)

New operating system that could perform multiple tasks in a single computer program was success for this generation and this capability is called multiprogramming. Another progress which leads to developing of personal computers in fourth generation is a new development of minicomputers with DEC PDP-1.

The fourth generation (1980 - Present day)

Development of personal computer represent the fourth generation. The cost of personal computer was high back then. Microsoft and the Windows operating system were related to creating personal computers. Some of the popular operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux. Linux operating system was created in early 1990s. The first Windows operating system was created by Microsoft in 1975. Windows realised operating systems such as Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows XP. Most Windows users use the Windows 10 operating system. Apple realised another popular operating system developed in the 1980s which is named as Macintosh OS or Mac OS.

Which operating system is the best for programming depends on the career domain of the programmer, because every OS has advantages and limitations.