Question Description
I’m working on a operating systems project and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.
- I need a conclusion for my research
- Source code accessibility:
accessibility to source code could be the main difference and the most significant point that expose the aim tendency of each system. While Microsoft is a proprietary tech company that has been known for decades for its tendency against the open-source paradigm, Linux was software developed originally as an open-source operating system. in 1991 Linux was created by Linus Torvalds, under the GNU General Public License (GPL) to represent the tendency of open-source programs. Linux became the largest open-source operating system in recent years. Unlike Microsoft which has high reticence of revealing its codes, Linux is very open about it and makes it possible to access and modify the source codes. [9]
- Applications: (15)
The popularity of Linux is not comparable to Windows. Windows is the dominantly used system, being used by 76% of users. while Linux-based operating systems users make 5% only. The applications produced by Microsoft and for Windows OS are much higher since it has a greater user base and has been in the market for a longer period in comparison to Linux. The lock of GUI in Linux also plays a role in limiting its popularity.
- Investment:
Although the number of users and the application numbers are much larger in Microsoft, the ability to in role in developing the system is much larger in Linux. Investment firms and developers tend to improve the quality and satisfy the user needs of the applications and platforms they invest in. when the software is proprietary such as Microsoft, the investment is exclusive to the company platform providers. On the other hand, in open-source software such as Linux, users invest in platform development. The degree of investment is bigger in open-source operating systems compared with priority systems of the same quality level. (15). The intense competition between Linux and Microsoft increases the application productivity in both systems
- Security:
Although Microsoft claim and argue that its system is secure against security vulnerability, it faces so many flaws in this concept. For example, In 2019, 667 vulnerabilities were testified about Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows RT, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows 10 operating systems. Although Windows 10 was anounced as the “most secure Windows OS”, it faced 167 Critical vulnerabilities last year. From all the recorder vulnerabilities of windows in 2019, 170 security vulnerabilities were categorized as critical threats. On the other hand, the security vulnerabilities that face the Linux operating system are negligible because it has a more secure protection system. The monolithic-kernel structure of Linux, which has all the microkernel functionality, in addition to hardware drivers, reduces the interaction internally and increases system security. Unlike Microsoft, Linux is more protected against malicious attacks. It does not give direct access for users to browse installed programs’ registry keys. Therefore, virus programs cannot loop automatically in Linux systems.
