Chapter Introduction

Operating systems are the most common type of system software. Since many operating systems are bundled with application software, there is some confusion between the two. Operating systems run behind the scenes and are responsible managing your computers resources and hardware. Application software requires system software such as an operating system to talk to the hardware. Microsoft Windows and Apple’s OS X are the most widely used operating systems, but are not the only ones. There are also UNIX and Linux, which are not as well known but are widely used in everything from household appliances to supercomputers.

At home you are most likely using some version of Windows or Mac, and whether you know it or not, you are using UNIX and Linux. In fact you are using UNIX right now, this Wiki is located the webmail UNIX server on campus. You will also encounter all four operating systems around campus. Windows is widely available in computer labs around campus. Macs are also used in the Math, Statistics and Engineering department. UNIX is used when uploading a web page on the campus servers. A few Linux and UNIX desktop computers can be found around campus for student use, but they also play a major role for many behind the scene functions at the U of M.