What’s the difference between Linux and Windows? Which is the best operating system? People have argued about which is better since the first day of Linux and Windows. So let’s look at what distinguishes Windows and Linux.
Architecture, Performance, and Security Differences Between Linux and Windows Operating Systems:
Both the Linux and Windows operating systems are well known.
Before comparing Linux and Windows, we must first understand what an operating system is and how it functions.
An operating system is a piece of low-level system software that controls the computer’s hardware and software resources. It allows it to schedule tasks, manage resources and memory, control peripherals, set up networks, and so on.
It serves as a bridge between the computer’s hardware and software. The operating system is the most critical component of a computer system. Without an operating system, no computer or mobile device can work.
A Quick Overview of Linux And Windows Operating Systems
There are various types of operating systems available on the market. For example, Microsoft Windows is the most popular desktop operating system (OS). It controls about 83 percent of the market. Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS are the most popular mobile operating systems. When it comes to servers and supercomputers, Linux distributions take the lead.
Windows OS is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions and client and server versions. The latest client version of Windows is Windows 10, which was released in 2015, and the most recent server version is Windows Server 2019, which was released in 2019. Linux is a collection of Unix-like free and open-source operating systems based on the Linux kernel.
Windows Architecture
Windows architecture is made into two parts:
• User mode
• Kernel mode
Each layer is also made up of different modules.
User Mode
User mode includes built-in subsystems as well as environmental subsystems.
Integral subsystems include fixed system support processes like the session manager and the login process, service processes like the task scheduler and the print spooler service, the security subsystem (for security tokens and access management), and user applications.
The environment subsystem connects user-mode applications to OS kernel functions. The four major environment subsystems are Win32/, POSIX, OS/2, and the windows subsystem for LINUX.
Kernel Mode
Kernel mode has access to all computer hardware and system resources. It consists of the Executive, the microkernel, the kernel-mode drivers, and the hardware abstraction layer (HAL). HAL is a software layer between the computer’s hardware and the operating system. It is in charge of the I/O interfaces, interrupts controllers, and responsible processors.
Linux Architecture
The Linux kernel is the most responsible part of the operating system, in charge of many essential tasks such as controlling processes, networking, accessing peripherals and the file system, managing security, and managing memory.
The keyboard, mouse, printer, CPU, and RAM are all examples of hardware. Within these layers, there are four major components: the hardware, the kernel, the System call interface (also known as “Shell”), and the user applications or utilities.
Linux Architecture Simplified
The shell is the interface between the user and the kernel. It shows the user what the kernel is capable of. For example, a shell can make approximately 380 system calls, including start, read, open, close, and exit. Shells are classified into two types: command-line shells and graphical shells. The shell is the layer of the architecture where applications run.
Comparison of Linux and Windows Security
Even though Linux is open-source, it is extremely difficult to break into. This makes it a very secure operating system when compared to others. One of the main reasons Linux is so popular and widely used is its high-tech security.
As administrators in Windows, users have complete control over their accounts. As a result, when a virus enters the system, it quickly wreaks havoc on the entire system. On the other hand, Linux is open and has a large user base. However, because every user has access to the source code, there is a good chance that any flaws will be found before hackers.
Linux has separate work environments that secure it safe from virus attacks. Because the Windows operating system is not well-divided, it is more vulnerable to threats. On the other hand, Linux has accounts to which users have limited access. If a virus attacks, it will only affect a small portion of the system.
In a nutshell, Linux is safer than Windows and other operating systems because it has some security features.
How do Linux and Windows Performance Compare?
Linux is known for being fast and simple, whereas Windows 10 is known to slow down over time. Because Linux is so fast, it powers most of the world’s fastest supercomputers. Overall, Linux outperforms Windows in core areas such as thread scheduling, memory management, I/O handling, file system management, and tool usage.
Why is Windows slower than Linux?
For a lot of reasons, Linux is frequently faster than Windows. To begin with, Linux is extremely thin, whereas Windows is exceptionally thick. Many programs in Windows run in the background, consuming RAM.
Second, Linux’s file system is very well designed. Files are found in groups that are close to each other. This makes reading and writing extremely quick. Windows, on the other hand, is a shambles of files.
Linux vs. Windows 10
Windows 10 has some new features that set it apart, such as the digital assistant Cortana, the Microsoft Edge browser, and 3D features in Microsoft Office. Linux would use less RAM in the background than Windows in an ideal world. Virtual workspaces in Windows 10 allow users to run applications on multiple desktops.
Linux Mint 19 has 373 megabytes of RAM, while Windows 10 has 1.3 gigabytes, about 1000 megabytes more than Linux. Windows 10 updates are more linear than Linux updates. This comparison was performed on a brand-new installation with no apps open.
Conclusion
This article examined almost every distinction between Linux and Windows OS.
So, which do you believe is the best operating system?
I don’t believe one operating system is superior to another. However, they are both distinct and best meet the needs of their respective users and markets. Each operating system has different marketing objectives.
Linux is both fast and secure. On the other hand, Windows is easy to use, so even people who don’t know much about computers can use them.
Many businesses use Linux as a server and operating system (OS) for security, whereas business users and gamers primarily use Windows. When comparing the prices of these two operating systems, there are numerous factors to consider.
We can’t simply make Linux free or cheaper than Windows in general. Linux has no licensing fees, but Windows and Linux have the infrastructure, software support, and IT staffing costs.
