UNIX vs. Linux vs. Windows: 4 Key Comparisons
Microsoft Windows is defined as an operating system that features a graphical user interface and compatibility with a wide range of hardware and software, primarily for personal computers. UNIX is a multitasking, multi-user operating system developed for use on workstations, servers, and other devices for numerous applications, including database management, software development, and running networked applications. Linux is defined as an open-source operating system based on UNIX and is widely leveraged across various devices for its security, flexibility, and stability. This article compares these three operating systems.
UNIX, Linux, and Windows: An Introduction
Microsoft Windows is an operating system that features a graphical user interface and compatibility with a wide range of hardware and software, primarily for personal computers.
UNIX is a multitasking, multi-user operating system developed for workstations, servers, and other devices. Its numerous applications include database management, software development, and networked applications. Systems equipped with UNIX are preferred for their security, flexibility, and stability. This operating system is the basis for numerous others, including macOS and Linux.
Linux is an open-source operating system available free of cost and based on UNIX. It is widely leveraged across various devices for stability, flexibility, and security.
What Is UNIX?
UNIX was initially developed in the 1970s and was one of the first operating systems written using the C programming language. It is one of the most effective operating systems ever created, with numerous offshoots and a wide-reaching effect on the computing and electronics industries. Its main advantages include stability, interoperability, and portability across multiple heterogeneous environments and devices.
Today, UNIX and its variants are leveraged for multiple IT systems, including servers, workstations, mobile devices, embedded systems, and supercomputers. However, while Linux, macOS, and Android–arguably the most popular UNIX spin-offs–continue to maintain a strong presence in their respective markets, the demand for UNIX itself has declined.
One reason for this may be users moving away from reduced instruction set computer platforms and adopting x86-based alternatives capable of executing greater workloads and delivering higher performance more economically.
Enterprises will likely continue to leverage UNIX for mission-critical workloads; however, the operating system may continue to see falling demand due to a greater focus on IT modernization and consolidation. Naturally, this isn’t happening immediately; UNIX is still the first preference for many IT teams regarding use cases such as vertical-specific software, cloud security, and data center application support.
Even if UNIX server sales drop in the future, its applications in the governance, telecom, and financial domains are expected to keep it alive and running. The complete abandonment of UNIX will likely be a long, slow journey.
What Is Linux?
Linux is a popular operating system that is preferred for its reliability and security, performing better than its competitors in terms of protection against viruses and malware. It is also resistant to slowed-down performance, crashing, and expensive repairs and users need not pay licensing fees as often as they do for other commercial operating systems. Linux features a zero cost of entry and can be legally installed on any computer without any associated cost whatsoever.
Apart from its cost-effectiveness, Linux is an open-source system. The Linux kernel is among the world’s most significant open-source projects, making it a boon for enterprises seeking scalable growth without ballooning software costs. Most, if not all, DevOps lifecycles in enterprises around the globe rely on open-source software to reach their development goals. For instance, Linux makes it easy for developers to combine smaller software components they create with other software for building full-featured supply chains.
One significant way Linux helps bolster enterprise scalability is through containers, a popular way to deploy scalable enterprise applications. Containers help host applications on third-party cloud platforms. They simplify the automation of application scaling and help ensure that resource consumption matches the demand for application bandwidth at any given time.
Linux is the backbone of container operations. Users of Docker and Kubernetes alike must be familiar with Linux. And this is just one of the many examples of Linux’s flexibility. Other operating systems often lock the user into using software the ‘right way’ (according to the company backing it). Conversely, Linux users can make almost any change they desire at the platform level, allowing them to achieve business goals flexibly, swiftly, and accurately.
There isn’t much that users cannot accomplish when they are familiar with Linux. This operating system grants access to thousands of tools and packages that support the development of robust services and systems.
What Is Windows?
Every computer user has heard of Microsoft Windows, with over 75% of desktop and laptop computers worldwide using this operating system. Available in 32- and 64-bit versions, Windows is a user-friendly operating system that features a graphical user interface (GUI), virtual memory management, support for multiple peripherals, and multitasking functionalities.
Windows provides both server and client versions. Popular client versions include Windows 98, ME, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. Windows 11 is the newest version of this operating system, released in 2021. Server versions include 2000 Server, 2003 Server, NT Server, Server 2008 R2, Server 2016, and Server 2022 (latest version).
UNIX vs. Linux vs. Windows: 4 Key Comparisons
UNIX, Linux, and Windows are all used to manage computer hardware and software resources. Each operating system comes with unique characteristics and is suited to different applications. Let’s look at the four key comparisons among them.
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