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  Unix Versus Windows

As far as operating systems go, to some it would seem as if UNIX has a clear advantage over Windows. UNIX offers greater flexibility than Windows operating systems; furthermore, it is more stable and it does not crash as much as much as Windows. To some, UNIX is just as easy to use as Windows, offering a GUI interface as well as command line. But there are users out there that believe UNIX is for only for computer gurus only, claiming that the fragmentation of the UNIX GUI is its greatest competitive weakness.

One thing that has been established though, UNIX is quite a bit more reliable than Windows, and less administration and maintenance is needed in maintaining a UNIX system. This is a huge cost saver for any organization. Rather than employing many individuals to maintain a Windows based system, one part-time employee would be needed for the upkeep of a typical size UNIX system. One key difference between UNIX and Windows is the implementation of multiple users on one computer. When a user logs onto a UNIX system, a shell process is started to service their commands. Keeping track of users and their processes, a UNIX operating system is able to keep track of processes and prevent them from interfering with each other. This is extremely beneficial when all the processes run on the server, which demands a greater use of resources - especially with numerous users and sizeable applications.

Another main difference between UNIX and Windows is the process hierarchy which UNIX possesses. When a new process is created by a UNIX application, it becomes a child of the process that created it. This hierarchy is very important, so there are system calls for influencing child processes. Windows processes on the other hand do not share a hierarchical relationship. Receiving the process handle and ID of the process it created, the creating process of a Windows system can maintain or simulate a hierarchical...

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COMMENTS

No Title 06/28/2008 10:48 PM
Grader: AllFreeEssays, Grade: B
The 5th paragraph has an error. Unix is not open source.

No Title 06/28/2008 10:48 PM
Grader: AllFreeEssays, Grade: B
I think the author is thinking of Linux when he/she says that the user must select a GUI for UNIX. Most UNIX vendors do not give a choice of GUIs. Most give you the CDE environment (like it or not), whereas Linux typically gives you a choice of KDE, Gnome, FVWM, Twm, Windowmaker ... just to name a few. Also, it is misleading to say the GUI (or window manager) is part of the OS. That is not a component of the OS, although Microsoft has chosen to weave it into their OS -- which is probably one of the many reasons Windows crashes so often.

No Title 06/28/2008 10:48 PM
Grader: AllFreeEssays, Grade: B
UNIX is open source! I program in it! Also UNIX gives a person a choice of KDE or GNOME upon installation.

No Title 06/28/2008 10:48 PM
Grader: AllFreeEssays, Grade: B
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No Title 06/28/2008 10:48 PM
Grader: AllFreeEssays, Grade: B
Good Essay: I also prefer if this essay include the information like file types and process of file linking, done in windows and Unix would be more beneficial for every one.

No Title 06/28/2008 10:48 PM
Grader: AllFreeEssays, Grade: B
very good product

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