The document compares the Windows and Linux operating systems across several categories such as performance, stability, and security. Windows has traditionally dominated the personal desktop market while Linux is most prominent as a free operating system. Both systems now extend beyond personal computers and compete in other markets like servers and embedded systems. The document concludes that neither system is truly superior as it depends on the intended use, though Linux is generally better suited for servers and web development due to its security, cost-effectiveness, and open-source benefits.

1. Prepared By : Syed Ovais Ali
Roll No : 959
Department : Computer Science
Section : BS(CS 1-D)

2. WINDOWS : AN INTRO

3. AN INTRO TO LINUX

4. WHY...
WINDOWS vs LINUX!!!
 Comparisons between the Microsoft
Windows and Linux computer operating
systems are a long-running discussion topic
within the personal computer industry.
 Throughout the entire period of
the Windows 9x systems through the
introduction of Windows 7, Windows has
retained an extremely large retail sales
majority among operating systems for
personal desktop use, while Linux has
sustained its status as the most
prominent free software operating system.
 After their initial clash, both operating
systems moved beyond the user base of the
personal computer market and share a
rivalry on a variety of other devices, with
offerings for the server and embedded
systems markets, and mobile
internet access.

5. Performance
Windows Linux
Process
Scheduling
NT-based versions of Windows use a CPU scheduler
based on a multilevel feedback queue with 32
priority levels defined.
Linux kernel(it is a bridge between applications and
the actual data processing done at the hardware
level) once used a scheduling algorithm favouring
interactive processes.
Memory
Management/
Disk paging
Windows NT family (including 2000, XP, Vista,
Win7) most commonly employs a dynamically
allocated page file for memory management. A page
file is allocated on disk, for less frequently accessed
objects in memory, leaving more RAM available to
actively used objects. This scheme suffers from
slow-downs due to disk fragmentation
Most hard drive installations of Linux utilize a
"swap partition", a partition dedicated exclusively
for paging operations. This reduces slowdown due to
disk fragmentation from general use. Linux also
allows to adjust aggressiveness of the kernel when
deciding whether to swap out an application or leave
it on RAM. Windows does not support such features.
Default file
systems
The way default Windows' file system NTFS(New
Technology File System) works causes files to
become fragmented.
Default Linux file systems do not require
defragmenting.

6. S T A B I L I T Y
Windows Linux
General
stability
Windows operating systems based on the
NT kernel are technically much more stable than some
older versions . Installing unsigned or beta drivers can
lead to decreased system stability
There are several indirection levels since all applications are
separated from the graphic subsystem which itself is detached
from the Linux kernel. As a result of that and because most
device drivers are integral part of the Linux kernel, it almost
never crashes. The graphic subsystem can only fail if the
application is using it in undocumented ways. Even in that
case, it can be easily restarted without system reboot.
Downtime Reboots are usually required after major system and
driver updates.
Reboots are usually required after system and driver
updates.
Recovery In modern, versions of Windows, programs that crash
may be forcibly ended through the task manager by
pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC or CTRL+ALT+DEL
If the GUI hangs, on most distributions,
CTRL+ALT+F1 (or <CTRL>+<ALT>+ either <F1>
to <F6> inclusive) takes the user to the full screen
terminal, where the process can be killed, and the GUI
restored.

7. SECURITY
Windows Linux
Malware As of 2009, well over 2 million malware programs target
Windows.
As of 2006, more than 800 pieces Linux malware had been
discovered.
Open vs.
Closed
Claims its platform is more secure because of a comprehensive
approach to security using the Security Development Lifecycle
Claims its platform is more secure because all of its code is
reviewed by so many people that bugs are detected (referred to
as Linus Law).
Response
speed
Critical bug fixes are released only once a month after extensive
programming and testing and certain bugs have been known to
go unpatched for months or even year
Bugs can be fixed and rolled out within a day of being reported
(often within hours), though usually it takes a few weeks before
the patch is available on all distributions.
User
Accounts
In Windows Vista, all logged-in sessions (even for those of
"administrator" users) run with standard user permissions,
preventing malicious programs (and inexperienced users) from
gaining total control of the system. Processes that require
administrator privileges can be run using the User Account
Control framework.
Users typically run as limited accounts, having created both
administrator and at least one user account during installation. In
most Linux distributions, there are commands that will
temporarily grant elevated permissions to processes that need it.
In practice, this can be very dangerous, as any error can lead to
severe damage to the system.

8. CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that not one of these operating
systems are truly superior. It all depends on the purpose
for which the system is being used. Personal preference
plays a big role in this regard. Windows is generally
more popular when it is being used as a workstation (a
regular desktop PC) and Linux is more popular as a
server, more specifically a web server. Our main
business at Into web revolves around web development.
It is for this reason that we support the Linux operating
system mainly because of its security, cost-effectiveness
and open-source benefits.