disk operating system
(DOS).
In microcomputers, OS programs are
commonly stored on floppy disks or a hard disk. They are called adisk operating system
(DOS).
Before you use a microcomputer, you must load the OS or ¡¥Boot¡¨ the system. To do this, you insert an operating system disk into a disk drive, close the driver door, and then turn on the computer. On micro with hard discs, all you have to do is turn on the system.
In both cases, the operating system is transferred automatically from the disk to the main memory. When the system is activated, a prompt chacter, A> or C>, is often displayed on the screen showing the user that the computer is ¡¥alive; and is ready to accept commands.
Below shows the different operating systems commonly used on microcomputers.
| MS-DOS (Microsoft) | This is the standard operating system used with IBM PC compatible computers. |
Macintosh DOS (Apple) |
This operating system is designed for the Macintosh line of computers with quality graphics and graphical users interface. |
OS/2 (Microsoft/ IBM) |
This is designed for the IBM PS/2 line of computers with multitasking, graphical users interface and more memory. |
UNIX (AT&T) |
UNIX is a multi-user operating system, which was originally designed for minicomputers. It is good for multitasking and networking. |
Windows NT(Microsoft) |
It is a more recent and powerful operating system with quality graphics, built-in multitasking and networking capabilities. |
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