Operating Systems records
Generation
1st Generation - Vacuum Tubes (1945 - 1955)
In the 40s, there was already the first digital computer, which clearly there was not an operating system for it. But its existence was only in paper. Charles Babbage designed his 'Analytical Engine' but she never could turn from a mathematical model to real life cause technology at that time did not permit it. At first, there were no programming languages: the programmer inserted the programming panel on the computer and wait for the execution of thousands of valves. After 1950, it introduced the drills cards, and now it was possible to write programs on cards.
2nd Generation - Transistors and Batch Systems (1955 - 1965)
The second generation was marked by the introduction of transistors, which revolutionized the computer industry and made now possible to be produced for market and durable for a long time. It's also noteworthy the batch system where programs were loaded in tapes that were managed by a special computer, it considered the fisrt Operating System. They were used for scientific and engineering calculations.
3rd Generation - ICs and Multiprogramming (1965 - 1980)
One of the main innovations of the 60s was the use of integrated circuits (ICs) instead of separate transistors. Moreover, the implementation of a new technique in such systems has come to be much used: multiprogramming, which programs were alternately executed without leaving the CPU idle. Although effective, it is faced with safety problems and waiting time, which have been solved with the development of new OSs.
4th Generation - Personal Computers (1980 - present)
With the advancement of LSI, there are personal computers more accessible to the population, beginning the era of personal computers. To follow all evolution and complexity of computing in this era, it began emerging operating systems that could manage each new technology that was implemented. Microsoft, Bell Labs and Apple were the main companies in the 60s.Since then, all covered operating systems has been used as basis ultil now, being improved and adapted to new technologies and architectures improvements such as large-scale distributed systems, embedded systems, mobile technology, etc.
Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação - USP São Carlos