GUI bases operating systems in computer fully explained

GUI Operating System

An operating system is software that provides an interface between the user and the hardware. The computer cannot perform any task without an operating system, which controls and manages the operation of computer hardware.

The evolution of operating systems has made PCs easier to use, more flexible, and reliable. Some popular modern graphical user interfaces include Microsoft Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Unity, GNOME Shell for desktop environments, and Android, Apple's iOS, BlackBerry OS, Windows 10 Mobile, Palm OS-WebOS, and Firefox OS for smartphones.

Modern operating systems and graphical user interfaces are incorporated into various interactive applications, such as ATMs, video games, smartphones, self-service checkouts, airline self-ticketing and check-in, and desktops.

Types of GUI-based Operating Systems

1. Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is one of the most common GUI-based operating systems, developed and marketed by Microsoft. The current version is Windows 10, with earlier versions including Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows 7. The most common editions for home computers are Windows Home (Win Home) and Windows Professional (Win Pro).

2. Linux

Linux is a popular operating system developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is an open-source operating system that is used in many organizations, private offices, on mobiles, and supercomputers. Linux contains almost all the features of UNIX OS and includes various user interfaces like GNOME, KDE, Mate, and Cinnamon. Some popular distributions are Ubuntu, Debian, Solas, and Linux Mint.

3. Android

Android is one of the most common operating systems today, primarily used on mobile phones and tablets. Most versions are open-source.

4. Apple iOS

iOS is a popular operating system designed to run on Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads.

5. macOS

macOS is the operating system used in Apple laptops and desktops, with popular features like Siri and FaceTime.

How Graphical User Interface Works

Graphical user interface (GUI) design principles follow the model-view-controller software pattern, separating internal representations of information from how it is presented to users. This approach results in a platform where users see available functions without needing to input command codes.

Users interact with information by manipulating visual widgets, which respond according to the type of data they hold and support actions necessary to complete tasks. The appearance of an operating system or application software may be redesigned independently of application functions. Applications typically implement their own unique GUI display elements, which are integrated with the existing operating system.

A typical GUI includes standard formats for representing graphics and text, facilitating data sharing between applications running under a common GUI design. GUI testing refers to the systematic process of generating test cases to evaluate the system's functionality and design elements, with various tools available for manual or automated testing.

Advantages of Graphical User Interfaces

The most common advantages of GUI-based operating systems include:

• Improved usability for the average user.
• Familiar metaphors, such as drag-and-drop for transferring files, and recognizable icons, such as a trash bin for deleted files, creating an intuitive environment for users without prior experience.
• Self-descriptive applications with immediate feedback and visual cues that encourage discoverability.

Difference between GUI and CUI Operating Systems

The interface serves as the medium of communication between users and computers. There are two main types of interfaces: the graphical user interface (GUI) and the command-line interface (CUI). The key difference lies in how users interact with the system—GUI relies on visual elements, while CUI relies on text commands.