How is unix different from windows

StatCounter reports that as of March , the share of operating systems goes as such:. Many software developers have invested thousands to millions of dollars in software, and Microsoft has shown no intent to share some of the vital pieces to Windows that would make other alternatives work with mainstream software.

To software developers, the. NET platform is a crucial piece that is still mostly exclusive to Windows. If you want to get a salesperson nervous, show off your skills in the UNIX terminal of a Mac computer in your local computer store. I won't be discussing Android OS in this article, but just so you know - Android is basically Linux tailored for a smartphone.

Market share isn't the only reason that Linux isn't such a hit with the regular consumer. It requires you to learn a few new semantics about how the operating system works.

The file system think C: D: and the folder structure is slightly different, and you still have to have a rudimentary understanding of the command-line. If users are willing to learn new semantics, then Linux would probably gain a larger share of the market.

For example, if your graphics interface the thing that allows you to point-and-click instead of memorizing commands stops working, then Windows won't let you continue. You have to boot into safe mode and find out why it's not working.

In contrast, a Linux operating system could simply allow you to reconfigure or reinstall the graphics from the console or terminal. Granted, you would have to learn the basic structure of a. A bonus: that also means that if a hacker breaks into a Linux system, there isn't a turn-key solution to destroy the system outside of having root primary local system administrator access. It's true that many websites are run by Linux servers rather than Windows Servers. The Fortune companies are most likely going to have Windows servers, according to W3Techs - which would make perfect sense.

They probably invested thousands of dollars in Windows technology and want to keep things uniform. Price: Servers hosting your web site require operating systems and licenses just like everyone else. Windows and other related applications like SQL Server each cost a significant amount of money; on the other hand, Linux is a free operating system to download, install and operate. Windows hosting results in being a more expensive platform. Conclusion: To sum it up, UNIX-based hosting is more stable, performs faster and more compatible than Windows-based hosting.

You only need Windows hosting if you are going to developing in. NET or Visual Basic, or some other application that limits your choices. Windows Operating System on the other hand is designed with the outset of keeping the UI as simple and user-friendly as possible, so that non-IT people can easily use computers for their work. Processing: UNIX operating system supports Multiprocessing , meaning m any processes are executed simultaneously.

In Multiprocessing, every process has a separate address space and CPUs can be added for increasing computing power. Windows Support Multithreading , meaning many threads are created from a single process for increasing computing power. In multithreading, many threads of a process are executed simultaneously where common address space is shared by all the threads.

It has a robust and efficient file system. File system is represented as a hierarchical tree under the same root. Skip to content. It has a Command Prompt window, but only those with more advanced Windows knowledge should use it. Supports plug and play. Unix is flexible, and you can install it on all types of computers, including mainframes , supercomputers, and microcomputers.

Unix also inspires novel approaches to software design, such as solving problems by interconnecting simpler tools instead of creating large, monolithic applications. The Windows operating system is more limited than Unix in terms of what it can do, but it's relatively easy for anyone to use.

Unix is more stable and doesn't crash as often as Windows, so it requires less administration and maintenance. Unix has greater security and permissions features than Windows out of the box and is more efficient than Windows. Unix also has a massive online community that you can draw on for troubleshooting or learning new command-line skills.

Operating system upgrades from Microsoft often require you to purchase new hardware; this isn't the case with Unix. Microsoft maintains a massive knowledge base for its operating system. That knowledge base, coupled with a vibrant user community, can help resolve technical issues relatively easily. Windows supports a large library of software, utilities, and games, as well as extensive plug-and-play support.

You can configure Windows to install updates automatically to improve security, as well as add or improve features. With Unix, you must install such updates manually. If you want to surf the web and play video games, do homework, or work from home, Windows is a great choice. It's more widely used on home computers than Unix, but it's also expensive to purchase and to maintain. Unix is a potentially less expensive depending on the distribution you choose , more flexible option.

If you're an aspiring or experienced computer user, however, and like to tinker and customize the operating system, these mostly free or inexpensive open-source operating systems are attractive because of the flexibility and control these systems offer.