When choosing a server operating system, we often have a question: what is better to choose? In this article, we will identify the strengths and weaknesses of both systems to make your choice on Windows vs Linux easier.
What is an operating system?
An operating system is a low-level software that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and provides basic computer functions such as task scheduling, resource management, memory management, peripheral management, networking, etc.
Its main purpose is to make the computer system easy to use, as well as to take effective advantage of the equipment. Here are the main tasks performed by the operating system:
- Execution of the programs themselves. To do this, they are loaded into RAM. This is a kind of intermediate stage between inaction and performance.
- RAM management. It involves the division of programs into tasks and loading them into the OP and the distribution of tasks by processes.
- Access to all devices. It is about everything that the computer receives information (minimum set – mouse, keyboard) and outputs it (monitor, printer, etc.).
- Media management. These are all kinds of disks, flash drives, and so on. The operating system can read data from them and write it down.
- User interface. All the functions described above are performed as follows.
Linux and Windows comparison
At the moment, there are only 2 directions of development of server operating systems: Windows Server and Linux. It is quite difficult to answer the question of what is better. The Windows operating system is familiar to most users. On the other hand, very often the preference is given to systems running on Linux, especially when it comes to server hardware.
In order to conduct a detailed comparative analysis of these OS, we pay attention to the following criteria:
- Core
Linux uses a monolithic kernel, which consumes more resources, while Windows uses a microkernel, which takes up less space, but at the same time reduces the efficiency of the system, unlike Linux.
- The cost
Windows provides the cost of purchasing a licensed version of the software while Linux offers free installation and just a service charge.
- Interface and design
Windows has a familiar design and interface, modified over the years while Linux has an open developer community that drives many designs and interface innovations.
- File system
In Microsoft Windows, files are stored in directories/folders on different drives (C: \, D: \, E: \ drives, etc.) while in Linux, files and folders, starting from the root directory, are organized in a tree structure, branching into different subdirectories.
- Safety
Windows was originally designed for single-user PCs without a network connection and had no built-in security features. In Windows, malware and viruses can easily access system files and can collect user data. Linux is also not immune to system attacks, but if you follow the simplest rules and don’t give superuser rights to everything you run, then you are likely to be safer than Windows.
- Compatibility
The first one provides compatibility with 97% of all released games while Linux is poorly reconcilable.