Windows 95 was the first of the family. Developed on the basis of MS DOS OS and Windows 3.x operating shell. by Microsoft. In the future, the development of this family of operating systems continued in two directions - local and network. OS of the first direction - Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME (Millenium Edition). All of them are built on the same principles and, despite the fact that new functions are added, the user remains in the same familiar and comfortable environment. All versions of local operating systems of the Windows family are multi-tasking, single-user OS providing user-friendly graphical interface but enough weakly provide protection against unauthorized access .

Another group from this family was developed from the very beginning as OS for servers and workstations ... The first was Windows NT (New Technology), then - Windows 2000, Windows XP (eXPerience - experience, knowledge). This OS group is more stable than Windows 95/98 / Me, has improved protection of the address space of processes, an advanced file system .

Windows Vista and its revised and optimized version of Windows 7 are the latest versions of Microsoft Windows, a line of graphical operating systems used on personal computers.

The new version of Windows provides increased security and reliability of data compared to previous versions, easier work with information and compatibility with most modern communication tools, an updated interface, performance, etc., however, according to experts, the performance of Windows XP in many situations higher than the latest versions.

Approximate structure of Windows OS

The basic Windows system includes the following main components:

virtual machine manager subsystem;

file and driver management subsystem;

window management subsystem.

OS objects Windows

Logical objects :

1) documents- objects containing any information (text, graphic, sound, animation, video or multimedia);

2) programs- objects-tools that generate and process documents;

3) folders- larger objects containing documents, programs and other folders;

4) desktop- an object on which you can place the most frequently used documents, folders, programs;

5) basket- an object for throwing out unnecessary objects;

6) taskbar- a generalized object containing the names of open applications, the "Start" button, icons: time, alphabet switcher, etc .;

7) shortcut- auxiliary object-pointer to the path to a document, folder or program.

Physical object

My computer- an object for describing the configuration of a computer (disks, printers, network, etc.) and an embedded logical object - control Panel to configure various external devices.

Standard OS applications Windows

The operating system includes a group of applications "Standard", such as Notepad, Text editor, Graphic editor, Calculator, Multimedia (sound recorder, universal player, etc.), some utilities. These applications allow an application user to work within the Windows operating system until the purchase of licensed more powerful programs.

Basic Operating Principles Windows

Window (applications, documents, messages, dialog).

The main idea of ​​the Windows OS is to work with windows. Each window has a title and can be moved around the screen. Application and document windows have three buttons in the upper right corner of the window - pause the task, increase (decrease) the window size and close the application or document.

Virtual machines and multitasking.

A virtual machine is a logical computer with its own address space, which Windows creates in the computer memory. Each task runs on its own virtual machine. In this case, several tasks can be performed simultaneously. Windows provides each program with access to the processor for a very small amount of time, so it creates the effect of all tasks running simultaneously.

MS DOS OS is executed in a separate window as a separate application task, so-called emulation of MS DOS OS occurs (word emulation literally means "do something like this and even better", which in English sounds like this: try to do as well as and better then).

Desktop metaphor , the "Start" button, the Explorer program.

OS of the Windows family implements a metaphor (allegorically, in a figurative sense) of the desktop, on which all the necessary objects and a basket for unnecessary objects are located.

The Start button contains a menu with basic options for starting and stopping work. The main ones include the following:

the ability to access applications and service programs with which you can work in Windows;

the ability to customize the OS environment;

the ability to search for files and folders on disks;

graceful shutdown of work on the computer or reboot of the operating system.

To work with objects located outside the desktop - in folders on external media, use the Explorer program, a utility for organizing navigation through the file system.

On the left side of its window, Explorer shows computer configuration and tree structure of each disk , on the right - disc table of contents or directory (folder).

Cursor interface (Mouse pointers).

A set of mouse pointers is a kind of language for communication between a user and a computer. Each kind of mouse pointer means some kind of action, like waiting or typing, etc.

Technology "drag and drop ".

This technology ("drag and drop") is used not only in operations with files and folders, but also in applications when working with objects or elements of documents, for example, text fragments, pictures, diagrams, etc.

Technology - OLE (Object Linking and Embedding ).

The technology of linking and embedding objects allows you to insert, for example, graphic objects into documents in two ways:

object binding saves information about the file and the application that generated it in the document. If a graphic file is changed separately, then it is automatically updated in the document;

introduction object saves information only about the application in the document and breaks the link with the file;

technology "Clipboard ".

This technology is used not only in operations with files and folders, but also for the exchange of data between applications. Its essence is that the required object (file, folder or fragment of a document) is placed in some memory, from which it can then be extracted for insertion into another object (folder, text document, etc.).

Menu text and pictographic.

Work in any Windows application is organized using a menu, and in almost any application you can get information about what a menu item or icon means using a hint.

Network operating systems

Network OS Is an OS, the main function of which is to manage data flows and network resources, protect against unauthorized access and ensure work with all workstations with different OS.

The creation of network operating systems is associated with the emergence of local and global networks... These operating systems are designed to provide the user with access to all the resources of the computer network. The most common operating systems are:

NetWare from Novell;

MS Windows NT (2000, XP);

• Solaris from Sun.

The network OS has no fundamental differences from the local OS, but it necessarily contains software support for network interface devices (network adapter driver), as well as tools for remote access to other computers on the network and tools for accessing remote files, but these additions do not significantly change the structure the operating system itself.

Network OS coordinates the work of local workstations and regulates the sharing process network resources. In addition, the network operating system provides various network administration tools that ensure data protection and integrity by controlling access rights to them.

The network operating system is located on the file server and controls the work on workstations, which, as a rule, are loaded with one of the basic operating systems, for example, the OS of the WINDOWS family. Requests coming from the user's application program are analyzed by a special module of the network OS and, if it belongs to the local OS, transfers this request to it for processing. When a network service is requested, control is transferred to the network OS.

All variety of software ( software) are largely divided by systemic and application programs... The first group ensures the operation of the second on the available hardware (processor, disks, RAM, input / output devices). OS(OS) refers to system software... One of the tasks of the OS is to implement algorithms for working with hardware. The question may arise: why is this necessary? After all, if you think about it, each application can include code that provides access to the hardware. However, this would only make life difficult for programmers and bloat the software to a large size. And the saddest thing is that in application programs there would be a lot of the same code responsible for the implementation of low-level commands (calls to hardware). Also, how to solve the problem working together different programs on the same computer - another question. Therefore, operating systems and other system software quite reasonably occupy the role assigned to them as an intermediary between application software and computer hardware.

Even in their historical development, operating systems originated precisely as a set of programs and libraries for managing input and output operations. These fairly universal programs were further used by other programmers, who no longer needed to puzzle over how to program reading data from a floppy disk or outputting text to a printer. They just called a function from the connected library, and it did all the work (it already had the code for working with physical devices).

Over time, the operating system became more and more complex, new functions... Computers became more powerful, it was required to simultaneously run a certain set of programs for the processor to execute. The OS began to solve the problem of efficiently distributing hardware resources between running programs. Several users began to work with one computer at the same time. The OS began to monitor the rights of everyone and protect data. As a result, modern operating systems include many different features.

In their own way operating system structure presents a set of programs and modules. Allocate the concept of the operating system kernel. The kernel software is protected from user and programmer interference. Application programs access the kernel using requests to perform one or another action with the hardware. These requests are called system calls and are special commands.

The purpose of the operating system

So, the operating system performs two main tasks:

1. makes it easier (or even empowered) for users and programmers to use the hardware. For example, an operating system makes it possible to abstract from how data is actually processed on a hard disk, and to work with the concept of a file.
2. ensures efficient use of hardware... Since more than one program is running simultaneously on modern computers, the OS is responsible for allocating memory, processor registers, etc. between running programs at every moment of time. The OS determines the optimal distribution of these resources in time (the use of the processor by programs in turn) and space (loading different programs into different parts of the RAM).

Windows family OS

Today, the most popular operating systems are the Windows family, which are a proprietary (commercial) product of Microsoft Corporation.

Windows begin its "pedigree" from the DOS operating system and originally represented shells built on top of it (Windows was launched from under DOS), increasing the capabilities of DOS and making it easier for an unprepared user to work with a computer. Already later versions (starting with Windows NT) were full-fledged operating systems.

The advantage of Windows is the user-friendly interface. Among the shortcomings, the unreliability of the system is noted.

Unix-like OS

The UNIX operating system has had a great influence on the development of the world of operating systems, laying the foundations for the work of modern operating systems. UNIX was originally a system for software development. Mostly programmers worked in UNIX (and indeed, in the 70s, few others worked with computers).
UNIX has evolved from several fundamental ideas. For example, one small problem should be solved by one small program, and complex problems should be solved by a combination of simple programs.

In UNIX, much attention is paid to the distribution of computer resources between users. This system is multi-terminal (each user works with a computer using his own terminal).

Despite the fact that Unix-like systems are inferior in popularity to Windows, they work on large types of computers.

Linux

Linux is a multitude of Unix-like operating systems (distributions), which are most often freely redistributable.

One of the unique features of GNU / Linux systems is the lack of a single geographic center for development. Linux and its programs are written by millions of programmers around the world.

MAC OS

This operating system was also based on the UNIX kernel.

Is the product Apple for her own Macintosh computers.

It is considered reliable and convenient. But unlike Windows, it is not so popular.

While the share of Windows 10 continues to grow, there are still some users who continue to work on Windows XP... Each of them has its own reason not to switch to newer versions of the system, but only one can be called objective - a computer that is too weak, unable to fully pull a seven or eight. Not really XP bad, by no means, it's a wonderful system.

But she has outlived her, and already few software developers optimize their products for it. Programs from well-known brands may not work at all on it or work incorrectly.

It turns out that there is only one way out - to buy new computer? Yes, that would be the most correct decision, but there is another way. There is a family of Windows OS, among which there is as version 7 and 8 , characterized by very, very modest hardware resource requirements. And just such Windows can be installed on a weak machine, thus killing two birds with one stone, that is, it can be updated and not lose performance.

These are systems of a separate family NT - Windows Embedded used in various software and hardware systems: ATMs, terminals, medical devices, and the like. Based on desktop versions NT, systems Embedded differ from the first with a modified kernel, reduced functionality and lower cost. As with other versions of Windows, Windows Embedded have their own editions. For example, distributed in editions POSReady , Compact , Standard and Enterprise .

Place in the family Embedded there was also a more modern Windows 8.1 available in editions Compact , POSRead , Standard , Enterprise and Industry Pro... As for Windows 10, this version also has a separate branch for use in software and hardware complexes, but it is called IoT, which translates as for the Internet of Things. We will consider it in more detail sometime later, but now we will return to the main topic. Revisions type POSReady are too specific, due to their limited functionality, they do not suit the user, which cannot be said about editions Standard and Enterprise.

Version 7 more modest in terms of hardware resource requirements than version 8.1 ... For Windows Embedded Standard 7, for example, a processor with a frequency of 1 GHz and 512 MB RAM, but it is better to install the eight on a PC with at least memory 1 GB... Let's first take a look at Windows 7 Embedded Standard 32-bit.

The main differences between Windows 7 Embedded

Essentially, it's the same "seven", but with stripped down functionality. It has a control panel, a built-in browser, a player, a set of system utilities, a command line and registry editors, and group policies, standard themes, technologies supported Multitouch, Silverlight and DirectX, EWF and HORM... Externally almost does not differ from the desktop one, except for the logo and the welcome screen. It lacks some drivers, the paging file is disabled, a number of services and system components, the installation does not create a partition "Reserved by the system", the Russian language will have to be installed separately. There are no restrictions on the installation of third-party software. The latter is very important, since you may need to install additional drivers to fully work with peripheral devices.

Download and install

Download it is possible both from torrents along with activation keys, and from official page www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=11887... On the official resource, the distribution kit is presented by several self-extracting archives, do not be confused by this, tick all five parts of the archive as shown in the screenshot, download them and run the first part, unpack. As a result, you will get a regular boot image. ISO .

The installation procedure will be slightly different. When the wizard window appears, you need to click "Build an Image", accept the license agreement, and in the next window select a configuration compatible with third-party software "Application Compatibility"... Next, we select the Russian time localization and keyboard layout, at the next stage, if necessary, we modify the assembly. Option "Modify Drivers" allows you to add device drivers during the installation process, and the option "Modify Features"- enable or disable Windows components.

Then everything goes as usual. We split the disk, after copying the files, create a user, enter the product key. If there is no key, skip the step and make the usual settings that usually complete the installation of any version of Windows. Soon you will see your familiar desktop, decorated with branded wallpaper. "Sevens".

Customization

After installation, the first step is to enable the swap file, since in it is disabled by default. Open with the command systempropertiesperformance Performance Options, switch to tab Advanced, click Change -> Custom size, in the fields of the minimum and maximum values ​​set 2048 Mb, which is optimal for ... We save the settings and reboot.

Now let's Russify the interface. Download the language file from the links below. Browser IE may not display the download page correctly, so it's best to install it right away Chrome... By downloading CAB -file, run with command lpksetup the utility for installing the language pack, in the window that opens, click "Install display language" -> "Browse computer or network" and provide the path to the package CAB... Follow the instructions in the wizard to install the package, then click « Next ", select Russian as the main language and apply the settings. Changes will take effect after reboot.

Extending the test mode

Have official version there is one drawback - its trial period is only 30 days, after which the system will automatically restart every 20 minutes. Fortunately, built-in activation can be reset three times. When the trial period comes to an end, run the command line as administrator, run the reset command in it slmgr -rearm and reboot.

Those who wish to go even further can install more new version systems Windows Embedded 8.1... As well "seven", it is suitable for low-power PCs. It lacks some minor components and most of the universal programs, except metro-version of IE, Store, Apps OneDrive, Photos and Camera. The installed system weighs just over 6.5 GB. Otherwise, it is practically the same Windows 8.1 Pro.

Download and install

You can download the distribution kit with the system from the official page www.microsoft.com/ru-RU/download/details.aspx?id=40745... The procedure for installing the system is slightly different, whether you like it or not, but when installing the official assembly, you will have to enter the key right away.

Then everything is as usual: we accept the license agreement, partition the disk space, make the initial settings for the user profile. Customize in installed system nothing special is required. Paging file in Windows Embedded 8.1 enabled by default, the Russian language is present, all that remains is to activate the system in any way.

Russian for Windows 7 Embedded:

Language file for 32 -bit Windows 7 Embedded: www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26215

Language file for 64-bit Windows 7 Embedded: www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26216

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Operating System (OS) Families

Currently, there are many classifications of operating systems. Operating systems may differ in the features of the implementation of internal algorithms for managing the main resources of a computer (processors, memory, devices), features of the design methods used, types of hardware platforms, areas of use, and many other properties. With the rapid development in the field of computer technology, the emergence of new operating systems, the emergence of new classifications based on new criteria is also possible.

The current version of MacOS is designated X and was born at the end of 2001. If we consider the new operating system from the point of view of its functionality, we can safely say that it is a full-fledged equivalent Microsoft Windows XP for Apple Macintosh computers. There is the broadest set of software designed to run on MacOS X, and the platform itself is astoundingly responsive, efficient and reliable. Work on the further development of the MacOS series software package for Apple Macintosh computers continues. It is already known that Apple programmers are working on improving MacOS X, which, after a short time, will become, perhaps, a new implementation of programs of this class.

Today's OS / 2 is a powerful, multi-tasking operating system with a windowed graphical interface and a set of custom applications, focused on the market personal computers and workstations. The OS / 2 interface includes all the necessary elements of modern OS - desktop and trash, icons and taskbar, disk viewer, clock and drivers for many peripheral devices, such as, for example, USB ports or infrared port. The platform is installed automatically, and OS / 2 independently determines the optimal system configuration based on the speed of the processor and the amount of RAM (however, the user can independently specify the set required programs, excluding unnecessary ones), tests the equipment and configures all the necessary drivers without operator participation. The delivery set includes the IBM Works package, similar to MS Office and containing a text and spreadsheet editor, there is a convenient WebExplorer web browser and mail client NotesMail, the NeonGraphics animation system, the broadest selection of business applications and games from Civilization and Quake lll to Master of Orion. There are also global differences between OS / 2 and the usual IBM PC Microsoft Windows users - for example, a special self-learning software package allows you to control the system using voice commands, for which developers put a microphone and headphones in the box with CDs. However, despite the truly vast capabilities, high performance and amazing reliability of this platform, it is not in high demand now due to the dominance of the more widespread and cheaper MS Windows on the market. The main problem that hinders the development of OS / 2 is its incompatibility with Microsoft programs, through which almost all business documentation is created and with which the vast majority of private users work.

Recently, Russian PC users have increasingly begun to talk about Linux as an operating system capable of replacing Microsoft Windows from the market in the near future, if not, then fully replacing it on most home personal computers. At the same time, there is very little introductory information about Linux in Russian: most of the commercially available literature on this topic is very expensive, and it is designed primarily for specialists and experienced users, frightening off the average consumer with an abundance of technical terminology. The documentation presented on the Internet is noticeably fragmented and far from exhaustive. That is why, in the minds of domestic PC owners, Linux seems to be something elite and inaccessible, a kind of mystery, to which only a select few are destined to join .. The fear of facing something unknown, incomprehensible, difficult to operate and configure stops our compatriots in the initiative to establish use this system on your computer. At the same time, there is no "higher mathematics" here. Linux is a very simple, reliable and user-friendly operating system. Linux continues to improve and evolve to this day, with new kernel versions, new window managers, and new Linux software appearing every month. The logical structure of Linux is significantly different from the structure of MS DOS or the well-known Microsoft Windows platform, it is closest to the architecture of another class of operating systems, namely, systems of the UNIX family. Undoubtedly, the majority of Russian users who have gone through the stage of Windows 3.11 and have finally passed Windows 95, have become accustomed to the logic of operating systems performed by Microsoft so much that something new, unusual, coming out of the category of conditioned reflexes and postulates that have become firmly established in the minds of how it works machine ", they are just scared. However, Linux is no more complex than any familiar platform. It just works a little differently. If we consider the internal structure of Linux in comparison with the anatomy of MS Windows, the differences become obvious even at first glance. By default, Windows is installed into one logical partition of a disk with a FAT16 file table, which stores both the system kernel, which is responsible for I / O data, and the so-called "shell" or shell (the explorer.exe file), which determines the interpretation of commands and user actions. and, in fact, the files and libraries that form the Windows window interface. Moreover, these three components of the system are so closely integrated with each other that if you replace one of them with a similar file from another version of Windows, the entire system as a whole will not work. The functions of these elements are also largely mixed with each other: for example, some procedures for forming the interface in Windows are performed by the shell. Additional system utilities are also stored here, such as disk defragmenter, server remote access, drivers, as well as many service libraries. In the same section, user files are located, and in the same area the system performs swap - caching data that does not fit in RAM to disk. In other words, all the components of the platform are stored in one partition, which, of course, does not add to its reliability: any minor damage to the data table is enough to render Windows inoperable or spoil the useful information stored on the disk. It is also quite obvious what to change with the help of standard Windows tools the appearance of the default windows is not possible. This is quite feasible by replacing the existing shell with another shell, for example, LiteStep, or using special utilities like WindowsBlinds, which, when loaded into background occupy RAM and slow down your computer. Of the characteristic features of Linux, it is necessary to list the following: support for national keyboards, including Russian, support for many file systems, among which, in addition to our own - EXT2FS, there are FAT16, MINIX-1 and XENIX. The implementation of software support for FAT16 allows you to directly access MS DOS floppy disks, as well as DOS and Windows file partitions on the hard drive. It is possible to work with network protocols TCP / IP, PLIP, PPP and many others; within the framework of the network functions of the platform, the whole range of Internet clients and services is implemented: FTP, telnet, NNTP, SMTP and POP3. Programs are loaded into memory page by page, only those data segments that are not used by the system at the moment are cached to disk, which significantly speeds up the operation of applications. It is possible to jointly access memory pages by different programs at the same moment in time, this avoids reloading identical pieces of information into RAM and significantly saves computer resources. Like Microsoft Windows, Linux uses a system of dynamic libraries, in other words, several applications can use in their work a library represented on disk by one physical file.

Windows operating system computer interface

At the dawn of MS_DOS

In June 1980, Gates and Allen recruited Steve Ballmer, with whom Gates attended Harvard University, to help run the company. Next month, IBM is reaching out to Microsoft about a project codenamed Chess. As a result, Microsoft is focusing its efforts on a new operating system - the software that controls the operation of computer hardware and acts as a link between hardware and programs such as word processor... It is a platform on which programs can run. The company named its new operating system MS_DOS.

When the IBM personal computer running MS_DOS was released in 1981, the public was presented with absolutely new language... Typing various intricate commands after the "C:" combination is gradually becoming a part of daily work. Users discover the backslash key ().

The MS_DOS operating system has proven to be effective, but for many difficult to learn. It was obvious that the principles of working with the operating system needed to be improved.

1982-1985: Windows 1.0 release arrives

Microsoft is working on the first version of the new operating system. It was assumed that her codename Interface manager will become final, but the option was selected as a result Windows, as he best described the "windows" of computation on the screen, which became the main element new system... Windows was announced in 1983, but it took some time to develop. Skeptics have called it "bloated software."

• On November 20, 1985, two years after the initial announcement, Microsoft releases Windows 1.0 to the market. Now, instead of typing MS_DOS commands, you just need to move the mouse and click different screens (or "windows"). Bill Gates notes: "This unique software is intended for the serious computer user ..."
• 1987-1990: Windows 2.0-2.11 - more windows, faster speed
• December 9, 1987 Microsoft releases Windows 2.0 with desktop icons and expanded memory. With improved video support, you can now overlay windows, control the display layout, and use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work. Several software developers are starting to create the first programs for this release of Windows.

The Windows 2.0 operating system is designed for Intel processor 286. Soon after the release of the Intel 386 processor, Windows / 386 appears, taking advantage of its extended memory. Subsequent releases of Windows continue to improve the speed, reliability, and usability of your computer.

• 1990-1994: development of graphics in Windows 3.0-Windows NT
• May 22, 1990 Microsoft announces creating windows 3.0, and already in 1992, Windows 3.1 appears. In the first two years after release, 10 million copies of both versions are sold, making Windows the most widely used operating system. The sheer scale of the success is forcing Microsoft to rethink its earlier plans. Virtual memory has improved visual graphics. In 1990, Windows acquires its own corporate appearance, the features of which will be transferred to subsequent versions.

Windows now has significant performance improvements, support for advanced 16-color graphics, and improved icon appearance. The new wave of 386-based personal computers is driving the rise in popularity of Windows 3.0. With full Intel 386 processor support, programs run much faster. Windows 3.0 introduces the Program, File, and Print Managers.

• 1995-1998: Windows 95 - the heyday of computers and the emergence of the Internet
• Microsoft releases Windows 95 on August 24, 1995, selling a record 7 million copies in its first five weeks. This launch became the most publicized in the history of Microsoft. In TV commercials, the Rolling Stones sing "Start Me" in front of the new Start button. Articles in the media begin with the words: "She has appeared."

Windows 98, released on June 25, 1998, was the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers. Computers are widely used at work and at home, and the number of Internet cafes where you can connect to the Internet is growing rapidly. Windows 98 has been called the operating system "better to work and play".

Windows XP is released on October 25, 2001, with a redesigned usability-focused design and a single center for help and support. The operating system is available in 25 languages. From the mid-1970s until the release of Windows XP, over 1 billion computers were sold worldwide.

The operating system was released in 2006 Windows Vista with the most reliable security system at the time. User Account Control helps prevent potentially harmful programs from making changes to your computer. In the Ultimate edition of Windows Vista, BitLocker Drive Encryption provides increased protection for your computer's data as notebook sales and security requirements increase. In addition, Windows Vista also includes enhancements to Windows Media Player as more and more users see their computer as their primary device for digital media. In it, you can watch TV shows, edit videos, and send and view photos.

The late 2000s saw the start of the wireless era, and this was reflected in Windows 7. Notebook sales outnumbered sales desktop computers and connecting to the Internet in cafes and using private home networks has become commonplace.

It is a reimagined operating system, from the chipset to the user experience. She represents perfectly new interface, convenient for both touch control and keyboard and mouse control. It is used both on tablets for entertainment and on full-featured computers designed for complex tasks. Windows 8 also includes enhancements to the familiar worker windows desktop with a new taskbar and optimized file management.

First, let's give a description of Microsoft, which is contained on the Wikipedia page about this company.

Microsoft (Microsoft Corporation, read "microsoft", NASDAQ: MSFT) - the largest (profit for 2008 - $ 17.7 billion with a turnover of $ 60.4 billion) multinational company producing software for various kinds of computing technology - personal computers, game consoles, PDAs, mobile phones and other things, the developer of the most widely used software platform in the world at the moment - the Windows operating system family. The division of the company also manufactures some accessories for personal computers (keyboards, mice, etc.). Microsoft products are sold in more than 80 countries around the world, programs are translated into more than 45 languages.

Microsoft was founded by two students, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, in 1975. They read an article about the Altair 8800 personal computer and developed a Basic interpreter for it. It was acquired by a hardware manufacturer. This was the beginning of the company, and its founders, instead of studying, went into business and were significantly successful in this.

The history of operating systems for personal computers IBM PC begins in 1981, when MS DOS 1.0 was installed on this hardware. True, this operating system may not be considered Microsoft-developed. Its prototype was developed outside Microsoft at Seattle Computer Production and was supplemented by a BASIC interpreter for Bill Gates.

The first operating system Microsoft was built after purchasing a UNIX license from AT&T. This is how it appeared operating system Xenix, which the company had been developing for several years, but then decided to get rid of it, preferring MS DOS.

Microsoft has developed and released several dozen operating systems for various hardware, but mainly for personal computers IBM PC. They can be divided into the following groups:

1. MS DOS... A series of operating systems that only support the command line as the user interface. Versions 1.0 (1981) to 6.22 (1994) released. Many companies (including IBM, DEC and even MIPT) created their own versions of this system.

2 ... Windows 1, 2, 3 and 3.11 ... Add-ons over MS DOS operating systems that provide graphical user interface mode. They were not full-fledged operating systems, but were wrappers that provided standardization of the use of hardware and uniformity of interfaces for user programs. Their first version appeared in 1985, and the last - in 1995.

It should be noted that there was a predecessor to Windows - Visi Corp's graphical shell called Visi On. Let's take an example of the interface for this shell from 1983 (Figure 2.10).

Rice. 2.10.

Here's what the screen looked like for users in Windows 1.0, released two years later in 1985 (Figure 2.11).

Rice. 2.11.

3. Windows 9X... This series of operating systems is represented by the following versions: Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Me. They were designed for users to work on personal computers IBM PC. The graphical interface of these systems has had a great impact on the standards of user experience with a personal computer. The user screen is shown in Fig. 2.12.

4. Windows NT... The NT abbreviation for its name is derived from New Technology. Its first version, created by 1993, was supposed to supplant MS DOS, which did not happen. Next versions were supposed to squeeze Windows 95 out of the market, which happened only in the early 2000s. Variants of this system were created both for the user to work on the local computer and for managing local area network... Versions of this direction were called NT until a certain time, and since 2000 they received different names: NT 5.0 - Windows 2000, NT 5.2 - Windows 2003, NT 6.0 - Windows Vista and Windows 2008, NT 6.1 - Windows 7.

5. Windows CE... Development of these operating systems began in 1996. At the moment, they are created for a variety of mobile devices. Latest version in this line - Windows mobile 6.

It can be noted that Microsoft is a monopoly on the production of software for personal computers. A wide variety of software is created under its auspices - operating systems, office applications, development tools, systems of management of firms and enterprises (corporate systems). Attempts to conquer other hardware platforms have been unsuccessful (except for mobile and portable devices). The company also has certain achievements in the supercomputer market.

Rice. 2.12.

Recently, the company has become a defendant in the lawsuits of the EU antitrust commission and competitors. Here are two examples (Wikipedia).

In March 2004, the European Commission found an American company guilty of using its dominant position in the European software market and imposed a € 497 million fine on the company, requiring Microsoft to provide third-party developers with information about their products so that they could release compatible software without hindrance. After Microsoft disobeyed this decision, in July 2006 she was again fined - this time for 280.5 million euros, after which she complied with the decision of the European Commission.

On December 13, 2007, the Norwegian company Opera Software ASA, the developer of the Opera web browser, announced that it had filed a complaint against Microsoft with the European Commission. In a complaint, Opera Software asks Microsoft to give users a "real choice" of browsers by shipping competing browsers with Windows or by separating Internet Explorer from the mainstream. The company also wants to build support for open web standards into Internet Explorer.

2.4. Differences of the UNIX / Linux family from Windows and MS DOS operating systems

In this book, we have focused primarily on readers who, until now, have only used Windows operating systems. We would like to note that before the appearance of MS DOS in 1981, the UNIX system had already come a long way in its history. There was a time when Microsoft itself was faced with a choice: to develop one of the UNIX variants for the IBM PC or to continue its own system. Even the corresponding license was bought and the UNIX variant - XENIX - was released. But then the choice remained with MS DOS. Running UNIX and MS DOS, and now UNIX in graphical mode and modern versions Windows has a lot in common, sometimes even in the smallest detail. Having made this introduction, here are a few points where the UNIX / Linux OS family differs significantly from Microsoft's operating systems. In what follows, wherever the term "system" appears, the UNIX / Linux family is meant.

1. The source codes of the system components are available for viewing and modification. Most often they are located in a subdirectory named source, which is subordinate to the / usr directory.
2. The system can be modified by recompiling the kernel - the basis of the system, which is constantly evolving and tuned to the configuration of the computing facility.
3. There are several levels of setting the parameters of the system:
   • work with utilities, including in the graphical interface mode;
   • adjusting configuration files;
   • making changes to the source code and their further recompilation.
4. Command mode is loaded initially and the GUI requires an additional call. The latter has several implementation methods.
5. Linux system installers include a complete set of software required to operate as an office or home computer, as well as a server.
6. An interesting feature of the system is the ability to simultaneously register several users on virtual terminals.
7. There are many shells in the system (analogous to the command interpreter comand.com in MS DOS). In the process, you can get a complete list of them (chsh - listshell command) and select any (chsh command).
8. In addition to working with the main file system, you can access information prepared in other operating systems.
9. File Linux system on a hard disk can be located on several disk partitions, and a separate disk partition with the type file system different from the main one. Also, the following information can be placed in separate partitions of the disk (the list is available in ASli Linux):
   • boot data (/ boot);
   • the area of ​​the disk where constantly changing system information is written, for example, system files, mail messages, (/ var);
   • disk areas allocated for work by ordinary users (/ home);
   • information for all users (/ usr).
10. Access to data obtained from various equipment is carried out not in one of the top-level vertices of the file system, but in one of the vertices subordinate to a single root of the hierarchical file system (its name is /).