Exploring Operating Systems and Their

Development Languages

Introduction
Operating systems (OS) serve as the backbone of computer systems, managing hardware
resources and providing services for application software. The choice of programming
languages and architectural designs in OS development is influenced by factors such as
performance requirements, portability, security, and the specific use cases of the operating
systems. This report explores a variety of operating systems, their architectures,
programming languages, and core components to understand the landscape of OS
development.

Operating Systems Overview Table

OS name Primary use Main Kernel
case programming architecture
language(s)
1.Windows Desktop and C, C++ Hybrid
server
2. macOS Desktop C, C++, XNU (Hybrid)
Objective-C
3. Linux Desktop, C, C++ Monolithic
server,
embedded

4. Android Mobile Java, Kotlin, C Linux-based

5. FreeRTOS Real-time C Microkernel
embedded
systems

6. QNX Real-time C, C++ Microkernel

systems

7. Haiku Desktop C, C++ Hybrid

8. Solaris Server C, C++ Monolithic

9. AIX Enterprise C, C++ Monolithic

server
10. Chrome OS Cloud-based C, C++, Linux-based
desktops JavaScript

In-Depth Descriptions
1.Windows
Overview: It is a popular operating system for personal computers and
servers, known for its user-friendly interface and extensive software
ecosystem, making it suitable for both general and enterprise
environments.
Main Languages: It is primarily developed in C and C++, chosen for their
performance and low-level hardware interaction capabilities.
Architectural Characteristics:
 o Advantage: The hybrid kernel allows for efficient performance while
supporting a wide range of hardware.
o Disadvantage: The complexity of the hybrid architecture can lead to
stability issues under certain conditions.
Key Components: The Windows NT kernel, primarily written in
C, manages system resources, processes, and memory.

2.macOS
Overview: It is the operating system for Apple's Macintosh computers,
known for its sleek interface and integration with Apple's ecosystem. It
targets creative professionals and general consumers.
Main Languages: Developed in C, C++, and Objective-C, these languages
provide a balance between performance and ease of use for application
developers.
Architectural Characteristics:
o Advantage: The XNU kernel integrates microkernel and monolithic
architectures for efficient performance and modularity.
o Disadvantage: The complexity of the architecture may result in longer
boot times compared to simpler systems.
Key Components: The HFS+ file system, primarily developed in C, manages
how data is stored and retrieved on macOS devices.

3.Linux
Overview: It is a versatile operating system used in servers, desktops, and
embedded systems. Its open-source nature appeals to developers and
businesses looking for customization.
Main Languages: Primarily developed in C, Linux is chosen for its
performance, portability, and control over system resources.
Architectural Characteristics:
o Advantage: The monolithic kernel provides high performance due to
direct communication between components.
o Disadvantage: The complexity of the kernel can make debugging and
maintenance more challenging.
Key Components: The Linux kernel, written in C, handles process
management, device drivers, and system calls.

4.Android
Overview: It is a Linux-based mobile operating system primarily designed
for touchscreen devices, catering to both consumers and developers.
Main Languages: Java and Kotlin are used for application development,
while C is used for performance-critical components.
Architectural Characteristics:
o Advantage: The Linux-based architecture allows for robust
performance and security features.
o Disadvantage: Fragmentation across devices can lead to inconsistent
user experiences.
Key Component: The Android Runtime (ART) is responsible for executing
Android applications, primarily developed in Java.

5.FreeRTOS
Overview: FreeRTOS is a real-time operating system designed for
embedded systems. It is lightweight and suitable for microcontrollers.
 Main Languages: Developed in C, which is ideal for resource-constrained
environments.
Architectural Characteristics:
o Advantage: The microkernel architecture allows for minimal resource
usage, making it suitable for small devices.
o Disadvantage: Limited features compared to full-fledged operating
systems.
Key Component: The task scheduler, written in C, manages the execution of
tasks based on priority.

6.QNX
Overview: It is a reliable real-time operating system used in embedded
systems and critical applications like automotive and medical devices,
known for its performance in time-sensitive environments
Main Languages: Developed in C and C++, chosen for their efficiency and
control over hardware resources, which is crucial for real-time applications.
Architectural Characteristics:
o Advantage: The microkernel architecture enhances reliability by
minimizing the amount of code running in kernel mode.
o Disadvantage: The complexity of application development can be
enhanced by requiring more inter-process communication.
o Key Component: The QNX Neutrino microkernel, primarily written in C,
manages processes, memory, and inter-process communication.

7.Haiku
Overview: It is a lightweight, open-source operating system inspired by
BeOS, specifically designed for personal computing, aiming for simplicity
and efficiency among developers and users.
Main Languages: Developed in C++, which allows for high performance and
object-oriented programming features.
Architectural Characteristics:
o Advantage: The hybrid architecture provides a balance between
performance and modularity, allowing for efficient resource
management.
o Disadvantage: Limited hardware support compared to more established
operating systems can restrict its user base.
Key Component: The BFS primarily developed in C++, manages file storage
and retrieval efficiently.

8.Solaris
Overview: It is a scalable enterprise-level operating system primarily used
for servers, known for its advanced features for managing large workloads.
Main Languages: Developed in C and C++, chosen for their performance
and ability to handle complex system tasks.
Architectural Characteristics:
o Advantage: The monolithic kernel provides high performance and
efficient resource management for enterprise applications.
o Disadvantage: The complexity of the system can lead to longer
development cycles for applications.
Key Component: The ZFS file system, primarily written in C, offers advanced
features like data integrity verification and high storage capacity.
9.AIX
 Overview: It is an IBM-developed enterprise operating system primarily
used in business applications and data centers for high-performance
computing environments.
Main Languages: Developed in C and C++, which provide the necessary
performance and reliability for enterprise applications.
Architectural Characteristics:
o Advantage: The monolithic kernel allows for efficient processing and
resource management in demanding environments.
o Disadvantage: The complexity of the system can make it challenging
to manage and maintain.
Key Component: The AIX Logical Volume Manager (LVM), primarily
developed in C, manages disk storage and allocation efficiently.

10. Chrome OS
Overview: It is a lightweight operating system designed for web-based
applications and cloud computing, catering to users reliant on internet
connectivity.
Main Languages: Developed in C, C++, and JavaScript, chosen for their
performance and suitability for web applications.
Architectural Characteristics:
o Advantage: The Linux-based architecture provides a secure and stable
environment for web applications.
o Disadvantage: Limited offline capabilities can restrict usability in areas
with poor internet connectivity.
Key Component: The Chrome browser, primarily developed in C++,
serves as the main interface for users to access applications and the
internet.

Comparative Analysis
Operating systems' programming languages and architectural designs are
influenced by performance, portability, and ease of use. C and C++ are
preferred for desktop and server environments, while Java and Kotlin are
preferred for mobile systems.
Monolithic kernels are commonly used in enterprise and server operating
systems for performance, while microkernel architectures are preferred for
reliability and minimal resource usage in real-time and embedded systems.
Operating system development encompasses a wide range of languages and
architectures, each tailored to meet the specific needs of their intended
audiences and use cases.
Operating systems and development languages are designed with specific
audience requirements in mind. Programming languages balance performance,
security, and ease of use, while architectural choices prioritize efficiency and
reliability in modern computing environments.
Operating system landscapes are expected to evolve with new languages and
architectural innovations, requiring understanding for developers, engineers,
and organizations in a dynamic digital landscape.

References
 Official documentation from each operating system's website.
 Technical articles and white papers on operating system architecture and
programming languages.
 Credible tech websites and forums discussing OS development trends and
best practices.
 Books on OS design and implementation.
 Community contributions and discussions from platforms like GitHub and
stack overflow regarding OS development practices.