UniT 03 - History of OS

Angel Berlanas Vicente

October 31, 2023

Contents
1 The History of Operating Systems 2

2 Questions 3

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1 The History of Operating Systems

The evolution of operating systems (OS) is a tale of constant innovation,
revolutionizing the way we interact with computers. The history of OS dates
back to the mid-20th century, where the first primitive operating systems
were developed to manage hardware and software resources. One of the
earliest operating systems, the GM-NAA I/O, was introduced in the late
1950s by General Motors for the IBM 704 computer. It primarily handled
input/output operations.
The 1960s marked a significant turning point in OS history with the
birth of the Batch Processing System, which allowed multiple users to
submit tasks for processing, increasing the efficiency of computing. This era
also witnessed the arrival of more sophisticated systems like IBM’s OS/360,
which enabled multitasking and multiprogramming.
The 1970s saw the emergence of UNIX, developed by AT&T Bell Labs,
which laid the groundwork for many modern operating systems. Its design,
with features like a hierarchical file system and multitasking capabilities, in-
fluenced numerous OS systems to follow. Simultaneously, the early personal
computers, like Apple II and Commodore PET, were introduced, each with
its own rudimentary operating systems.
The 1980s witnessed a significant shift with the introduction of Mi-
crosoft’s MS-DOS, a text-based OS that powered IBM-compatible personal
computers. This decade also saw the launch of Apple’s Macintosh, which fea-
tured a graphical user interface (GUI) and a mouse, setting new standards
for user interaction.
The 1990s brought the dominance of Microsoft Windows, which evolved
into a user-friendly operating system with each iteration. Concurrently,
UNIX variants gained popularity in the server market due to their stability
and multitasking capabilities.
In the 21st century, the focus shifted towards mobile operating systems.
Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android transformed the way people interacted
with mobile devices, integrating touch-based interfaces and app ecosystems.
The evolution of operating systems continues today, with a focus on
cloud-based systems, increased security measures, and the integration of AI
for enhanced user experience.

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2 Questions
1. How did the introduction of UNIX impact the development of modern
operating systems?

2. What role did the graphical user interface (GUI) play in the evolution
of operating systems?

3. In what ways have mobile operating systems like iOS and Android
transformed the technology landscape?

4. How has the shift towards cloud-based systems influenced the devel-
opment of operating systems?

5. Why is it essential for modern operating systems to integrate advanced

security measures and AI capabilities?