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 scene and manage your computer’s resources and hardware.^[1] Application software requires system software, such as an operating system, that talks 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 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 on the webmail UNIX server on campus. You will encounter all four operating systems around campus. Windows is widely available in most of the open area computer labs. 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 UNIX and Linux play a major role for many behind the scene functions at the U of M.