Operating systems & OXYGEN
Operating systems (OS) are the backbone of any computer, providing the essential interface between the user and the hardware. This blog post explores the most common operating systems, highlighting their unique features, strengths, and typical use cases. Additionally, we discuss OXYGEN‘s compatibility with various operating systems and the benefits this compatibility brings.
What is an operating system?
An OS is the fundamental software that controls a computer’s hardware and manages its software resources. It acts as a bridge between the user and the computer, coordinating program execution, memory management, input and output processes, and maintaining security and stability. The OS allows users to interact with the computer through command-line interfaces (CLIs) or graphical user interfaces (GUIs). It simplifies tasks like file management, program execution, and hardware setup, enabling smooth and efficient operation across various devices.
What are the basic components of an OS?
An Operating system is a complex piece of software with several critical components, each playing a specific role in ensuring smooth and efficient operation. Here is a broad overview of the main OS components:
Kernel
The kernel is the core component of any operating system, playing a crucial role in managing system resources. It oversees process management, device interactions, and file operations, and is also responsible for memory allocation and deallocation. The design of the kernel significantly impacts the structure and efficiency of the OS. There are several types of kernels like Monolithic-, Micro-, Hybrid-, or Exo-Kernels, each with its own architecture and use cases.
User interface
The user interface (UI) is the bridge between users and the operating system, enabling interaction and control over system resources. There are two main types of user interfaces: the graphical user interface (GUI) which uses visual elements (e.g. icons, windows, menus) to facilitate user interactions, and the command-line interface (CLI) which Utilizes text-based commands to execute tasks and manage system operations.
Device drivers
Device drivers are specialized programs that enable the OS to communicate with hardware devices. They act as intermediaries between the OS and the hardware.
System libraries
System libraries are sets of pre-written code that applications use to perform common tasks, such as input/output operations, data manipulation, and system calls.
System services
System services are background processes and daemons that perform various system-level tasks and support applications like networking-, database-, or print services.
System utilities
System utilities are programs designed to perform maintenance and management tasks, enhancing the operating system’s functionality and overall performance. Examples include tools for file handling, software for security management, or monitoring applications.
What are the most common OS?
As mentioned, operating systems are designed with different structures to suit specific applications. The most common types are designed for personal computers and mobile devices, including Microsoft Windows, macOS (formerly OS X), Linux, Chrome OS, Android, and iOS. Figure XX provides a global overview of the operating system market share for both PC and mobile use as of July 2024.
Fig. 1: Operating System Market Share Worldwide for PC and mobile devices – July 2024, by statcounter.com
In the following section, we will take a closer look at the most popular OS—Windows—and compare it with the open-source OS, Linux.
Windows
Microsoft Windows is the most widely used PC operating system globally. Known for its user-friendly interface and broad software compatibility, Windows is a popular choice for both personal and professional environments.
Key features
- Extensive support for third-party applications
- Frequent updates and patches to enhance security and features
- Typical use cases: personal use, office environments, gaming & multimedia
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system known for its flexibility, security, and customizability. It offers a variety of distributions, each tailored to meet different needs and preferences. Key distributions include:
- Debian: stable and versatile distribution used as the foundation for many other Linux variants.
- Ubuntu: user-friendly distribution based on Debian, designed for home and personal use.
- RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux): commercial distribution based on Fedora, known for its enterprise-grade support and stability.
Key features
- Open-source with strong community of developers
- Multiple distributions for various purposes
- Highly customizable
- Typical use cases: development and programming, personal use
Which operating systems are supported by OXYGEN?
OXYGEN is DEWETRON’s intuitive measurement software packed with various features – ranging from continuous and synchronous acquisition of data from several sources, to online and offline data processing, evaluation, and analysis. It incorporates numerous tools like FFT calculation, order analysis, modal testing, power analysis, and plenty more. Unlike competitor software, OXYGEN runs on multiple operating systems including:
- Windows
- Ubuntu
- RHEL
A key advantage of OXYGEN is its full compatibility of measurement setups and recorded data files (DMD-files) across different operating systems. You can easily create a setup on Windows and use it on a Linux measurement system. Additionally, connecting and synchronizing multiple DEWETRON systems via the OXYGEN-NET extension is seamless, even when different OS are involved. This compatibility also extends to our programming plugins, OXYGEN SDK and TRION SDK, allowing developers to create custom measurement applications and extensions across various platforms.
Note: OXYGEN as well as its supported operating systems are updated regularly. For the latest compatibility information, please visit our customer care center to see which specific OS versions are supported by which OXYGEN version.
In a nutshell
Operating systems are essential for managing computer hardware and software, providing the interface between users and machines. The most common operating systems are:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Chrome OS
- Android
- iOS
Each offers unique features and strengths tailored to different user needs.
DEWETRON’s measurement software OXYGEN is designed for cross-platform compatibility, running seamlessly on Windows, Ubuntu, and RHEL. OXYGEN’s flexibility ensures that users can create and utilize measurement setups, load and analyze data files, as well as connect several DEWETRON devices across various operating systems.
