Comparative Study of Operating System Quality Attributes

Abstract

An Operating System is an interface between a user and computer hardware. It’s a piece of software that handles hardware devices and acts as a bridge between an application software and hardware of the computer. Everything the user does is done in the user mode and what the system does is done in the kernel mode. The kernel is a computer program at the heart of the operating system, with absolute control of everything. Operating system concepts have been developed by many manufacturers over the years and a few quality ones to match with user demand and preferences. This paper helps compare operating systems by their quality attributes and using four of the most influential operating systems – Windows, Linux, Mac and Android OS, along with other technical details in assuring user guide when deciding what operating system to choose based on their requirements. The research uses factor analysis to obtain aggregate score based on selection criteria, with first choice at 50%, second choice at 42%, third choice at 6%, fourth choice at 2%. Windows 10 has highest GUI, Hardware Compatibility, Portability and Process Management features. Also it has high Memory Management, Text Mode Interface and file system features. However, Security feature on Windows 10 was least only 2% as fourth choice. Mac OS X has high percentage for Memory Management, GUI, Security and Architecture features. However, Hardware compatibility, Text Mode Interface, File System and Portability features was least only 2% as fourth choice. Linux Ubuntu 17.4 has highest Security, Text Mode Interface, Architecture and File System features. Also having high Portability and Process Management features. However, GUI and Memory Management was least only 2% as fourth choice. It was observed for latest version of operating system all have quality attributes but selecting most preferred choice of operating system would require proper analysis of the user. Windows with a percentage of 37% was first choice, followed by Linux having 33%, Mac with 23% and finally Android with the lowest score of 7%.