UNIX is a multi-user multi-tasking operating system. This means that more than one user can use it effectively at time. Many users can share the computer's resources, and the computer will still work properly and efficiently. Also, UNIX lets you open more than one application at a time. For instance, you can have open an Internet browser and another program at the same time!
History:
UNIX was developed by AT&T in the early 1970s. It is primarily used in businesses and corporations by computer programmers to develop new software and new programs.
Now, UNIX has become a general-purpose operating system. However, it is not as widely used by the general public as systems like Microsoft Windows and Mac OS.
What makes UNIX different from Microsoft Windows?
Well, UNIX is unique in that it is a multi-user operating system. So… how can many people use one computer?
Multi-user does not mean that many people are using a single computer. Rather, the files and data on one computer can be accessed by a group of people on their own computer systems. For example, say you have a UNIX computer at your office and another UNIX computer at home. While at your office, you were working on developing a new type of software. Say that you want to try to finish up your work at home. UNIX computers can be connected so that you can access the files on one computer on any of the other connected systems.
It is important not to get this confused with networks. Although with Microsoft Windows you can connect to the Internet, and thus to other people's files, this is essentially different from UNIX. This is because the operating systems themselves aren't really shared by multiple users.
UNIX Shell:
The UNIX shell is a program that acts as an interface between the user and the computer. It is sometimes called a command interpreter because it is used to interpret the commands you give to your computer into a form that the computer system can understand. This way, the computer will be able to carry out and fulfill its tasks!
UNIX shells have three main purposes:
2. Customization
3. Programming
Linux:
A very popular and common form of the UNIX operating system is an operating system called Linux. Now, Linux is a free operating system- you can download it off the Internet for free! Of course, if you really want, you can also buy it at stores.
As you know, different operating systems have different ways of interacting with the user- they all have different interfaces. There are different types of Linux operating systems. Some operate using a graphical user interface like Windows and Mac OS. This means that there are icons and images that represent certain programs, applications, and files. All you need to do is use your mouse, point to the application you want to access, and click! In addition, some Linux operating systems use a command-driven interface, like MS-DOS. In this type of interface, the user has to type in commands that they want the computer to carry out.
As stated above, there are many different
types of Linux operating systems. Many different companies produce and distribute
this type of operating system, and they all add on their own unique features.
Some of the more popular distributors of Linux include RedHat, Caldera, Suse,
Mandrake, and BSD.
Continue on to the next section:
Programming Languages
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