Linux Vs. Windows

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Linux vs. Windows

Roger Thompson

POS/355

Introduction to Operating Systems

February 12, 2015

Carol Eichling

Linux vs. Windows

There has been a long battle between Microsoft Windows and Linus Computer Operating systems for a long time starting with “Windows 9x and the first Unix operating system that was started in 1969 but, source code wasn’t released until 1991. But, the biggest question isn’t whether one is better than the other but the undeniable fact is what differs one from the other. So, let’s first start by exploring the Linux.

• Belongs to the GNU Public License (meaning any users of all sorts can access and alter the code that serves as the Linux Operating System.
• GUI (Graphical User Interface) are available by desktop by GNOME and KDE
• There is no limitations to how you can build your own desktop without paying an arm and a leg for it.
• Supports 32 and 64 bit addresses and NUMA (Non Uniform Memory Access)
• Uses a single page size and one 32 bit system addresses 4GB of data and on the 64 kernel it supports up to 2 Peta Bytes of data.

Now let’s take a look at some of the differences in the Windows that was started in the early 1950’s but, the success of the GUI market wasn’t released until 1990 and is software that basically manages computer hardware.

• Code for Windows is not altered in any way and you have no access to it …unless you are “Bill Gates” just try to see if you can alter the code…not a chance!!!
• GDI (Graphical Design Interface) is the desktop windows manager and is built on top of stack manager.
• Alteration is Limited on how you want to design it unless, you pay for a third party install and come out of pocket to alter your desktop to your likings.
• On Windows the “Executive Component” is responsible for managing memory and allocating memory should be avoided.
• Has a 64 bit address space just like Linux but, the address space is only for 4GB per process.
• Has a 2 Level hierarchical memory map and the VMM (Virtual Memory Management) is used to allocate spaces for the requested memory in the VAS (Virtual Address Space).

Despite the listings of differences above there are still other factors in determining why Linux and Windows are different take for example the fact that in windows the program and system files are more than likely to be stored or saved in the C: drive. But, in Linux you would find the system and program files in different directories and boot files. The biggest thing to remember is not which system is better that the other but to realize that the Memory Management is handled by core operating system “The Kernel” and not the operating system itself and windows uses the “Windows NT Kernel” and is slower than the Linux Kernel.