What is UNIX?

Question

What is a UNIX Machine? I know Macs are Unix machines... but what does that mean? why are Unix machines better for programming? What is windows? Because I know windows is not a Unix Platform, and how come it isn't? And whatever it is... what is it made for?

Thanks in advance :)

Answer 1

Windows and Unix are systems like Apple's OS X is a system. They control running programs, memory, resources, and hardware.



The original Unix is now known as AT&T UNIX, which was written Ritchie and Thompson at Bell Labs in 1969.



Although few people actually use the original AT&T UNIX today, the project spawned a bunch of derivative systems, of which Apple's (Mac) system, OS X, is one of many. It's confusing, but now Unix is a family of systems that meet certain criteria --- each system that does can brand itself as "a UNIX".



There are also "Unix-like" systems, which follow some conventions, standards, etc., originally set by AT&T UNIX, etc. but don't entirely meet the criteria to use the name. "Linux" is one such example, although there are others.



It's worth mentioning that "Unix" is sometimes used to describe everything I've just described, or in practice, everything that's not Windows.



Unices and Unix-like systems are supposedly better for programming because that's how those systems are designed.



When Ritchie and Thompson wrote the original AT&T Unix, they also developed the C programming language alongside, and designed it to make programming eas(ier) than on other systems of the time. Still, if you're writing C, a Unix system is almost certainly your best choice.



Microsoft Windows isn't a Unix system because the developers decided to ignore convention, making developing for Windows' native interface far more painful than it should be. The entire system is one big blob, and Microsoft has made a habit of changing standardized programming conventions _just enough_ to make conventional code broken.

Answer 2

Unix (often spelled "UNIX," especially as an official trademark) is an operating system that originated at Bell Labs in 1969 as an interactive time-sharing system. Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie are considered the inventors of Unix. The name (pronounced YEW-nihks) was a pun based on an earlier system, Multics. In 1974, Unix became the first operating system written in the C language. Unix has evolved as a kind of large freeware product, with many extensions and new ideas provided in a variety of versions of Unix by different companies, universities, and individuals.

Answer 3

UNIX is an operating system. It's what starts up a computer, provides a space for running programs, security and disk operations.



You can run UNIX on a PC. I used to run PICK on pc's in the past for the strengths is gave at that time over Windows.



Windows grew from the old DOS days (command line). It was made to be open to a lot of different hardware and software.

Answer 4

UNIX is one of the original operating systems for mainframe/minicomputers designed for multiple simultaneous users.



Because of that, every part of is is built with security and efficiency as priorities, to prevent any one user accidentally (or deliberately) damaging anyone else's files or the operating system itself.



Linux (the name comes from Linus's Unix) is not literally a "unix" system but is built in the same way and very compatible.

(UNIX was a commercial program, Linux is free).



There are other similar systems such as Solaris etc.





MS Windows started as a graphical add-on for command-line MS-Dos system.

Both were single user systems with concept of security or file protection; the present versions of Windows have some security but it's still not to the level of a general Unix/Linux type system, which is why Windows machines are far more susceptible to viruses and malware.





I would not say Unix-style systems are "better" for programming - but I do think the approach by typical Unix programmers is far superior.



Windows / MS stuff tends to be "Visual" programming - you build all the screens & graphics, then add code to make it do what it should. If someone runs out of time, you end up with a pretty but buggy or broken program.



Working on Unix/Linux etc., programmers tend to build the guts and functional side first, then the graphics and making it user-friendly.



When they run out of time, you end up with a program with a slightly odd (or plain ugly) user interface, that does exactly what is was intended to...

Answer 5

Unix is an old operating system that has been around since the late 1960's. It is very secure and reliable so is widely used in critical computing environments.



Windows isn't.

Answer 6

UNIX is a operating system .. like as windows