What can you learn from other operating system designs?

1 Historical perspective

One way to learn from other operating system designs is to look at their historical evolution and context. How did they emerge, what problems did they solve, and what innovations did they introduce? For example, you can learn how UNIX was developed as a portable, multi-user, and multi-tasking system that influenced many modern operating systems, such as Linux, MacOS, and Android. Or how Windows evolved from a graphical shell for DOS to a dominant platform for personal computers, with various versions and features. Or how embedded systems, such as IoT devices, require specialized operating systems that are optimized for low power, memory, and performance.

2 Architectural principles

Another way to learn from other operating system designs is to understand their architectural principles and components. How are they structured, modularized, and organized? What are the core functions and layers of an operating system, such as the kernel, the shell, the file system, the device drivers, the process management, the memory management, and the security? How do they communicate and interact with each other and with the hardware and the user? For example, you can learn how microkernel-based operating systems, such as Minix and QNX, separate the kernel into minimal services and run most functions in user space, which improves reliability, security, and portability. Or how monolithic kernel-based operating systems, such as Linux and Windows, integrate most functions into the kernel, which improves performance, compatibility, and functionality.

3 Design goals and trade-offs

A third way to learn from other operating system designs is to analyze their design goals and trade-offs. What are the main objectives and criteria that guide the development and evaluation of an operating system? How do they balance competing or conflicting demands, such as efficiency, scalability, usability, compatibility, security, and flexibility? For example, you can learn how real-time operating systems, such as RTLinux and VxWorks, prioritize predictability, responsiveness, and determinism over throughput, resource utilization, and functionality. Or how distributed operating systems, such as Plan 9 and Amoeba, aim to provide a transparent, coherent, and consistent view of a network of computers, while dealing with issues such as concurrency, synchronization, fault tolerance, and load balancing.

4 Features and functionalities

A fourth way to learn from other operating system designs is to explore their features and functionalities. What are the capabilities and services that an operating system provides to users and applications? How do they support different types of tasks, devices, and users? How do they cope with changing requirements and technologies? For example, you can learn how virtualization technologies, such as VMware and Xen, enable multiple operating systems to run on the same hardware, which increases efficiency, flexibility, and isolation. Or how mobile operating systems, such as iOS and Android, offer features such as touch input, sensors, location services, notifications, and app stores, which enhance user experience, interactivity, and functionality.

5 Philosophies and communities

A fifth way to learn from other operating system designs is to appreciate their philosophies and communities. What are the values and beliefs that shape the culture and direction of an operating system? How do they influence the design decisions, the development processes, and the user feedback? How do they foster collaboration, innovation, and diversity? For example, you can learn how open source operating systems, such as Linux and FreeBSD, embrace the principles of freedom, transparency, and participation, which enable anyone to access, modify, and distribute the source code, which leads to faster improvement, wider adoption, and more variety. Or how proprietary operating systems, such as Windows and MacOS, follow the principles of control, quality, and consistency, which enable the developers to maintain the standards, the features, and the user interface, which leads to better integration, stability, and usability.

6 Personal preferences and experiences

A sixth way to learn from other operating system designs is to reflect on your personal preferences and experiences. What are the operating systems that you use or have used in the past? What are the reasons and motivations behind your choices? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each operating system? How do they affect your productivity, satisfaction, and learning? For example, you can learn how switching from one operating system to another can expose you to new perspectives, challenges, and opportunities. Or how comparing different operating systems can help you identify your needs, goals, and preferences. Or how experimenting with different operating systems can help you develop your skills, knowledge, and curiosity.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?