Example research essay topic: Comparing Ms Dos To Windows Vista - 1,249 words

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Comparing MS-DOS to Windows Vista Microsoft Windows is one of the most popular operating systems. The first version of Windows was created in November, 1985 to be served as addition to MS-DOS. At that time, in order to operate the computer, the person had to input special text commands in a special string. Windows replaced command line by the windows and offered a special computer mouse to effectively operate the computer. Beginning with Windows 95, this program became the independent operating system. Microsoft Windows Vista is the most modern version of the Microsoft operating system.

So, what are the differences and similarities between the oldest MS-DOS system and the most modern one, Microsoft Windows Vista? New operating system was a really great event for all those, who use computers. According to different researches, Windows is the dominant OS all over the world with more than 92 per cents of computers, compared to Mac OS (6. 21 %) and Linux (0. 8 %) accordingly. In contrast to MS-DOS, the kernel of Windows Vista was created from scratch, because it uses no code of previous versions.

Windows Vista is the system of new generation. Yet, it is fully compatible with DOS/ Windows 9 x/ Windows NT. However, the most important fact is that Vista/ Longhorn is developed using the kernel of new architecture. This kernel was developed taking into account the new possibilities of the hardware (for example, the use of 64 -bit platform), and new requirements of the private and corporate users.

This novelty provides the users with ample opportunity to utilize all possibilities of the new operating system. The new user interface, security system, search options (instant search, (search as you type) that is much faster and content-based compared even to the previous versions of Windows), administrative functions, and many other novelties are formed taking into account qualitatively new possibilities of the Vistas kernel. So, first of all, MS-DOS (abbreviation Microsoft Disk Operating System) is a commercial operating system for personal PC Microsoft. Windows Vista is a commercial graphical operating system. Vistas source model is closed source/ shared source, while MS-DOS source model is closed source. MS-DOS belongs to DOS OS family, while Microsoft Vista belongs to NT OS family.

MS-DOS kernel type is monolithic, while Microsoft Vistas kernel type is hybrid kernel. Yet, these are not all differences between then, It is very difficult to discuss these two operating systems, as far as MS-DOS is the oldest one, while Vista is the most modern operating system with all possible and impossible novelties introduced. MS-DOS has a command line interface and the batch scripting facility through command. com (the command interpreter). MS-DOS version was developed in such a way that the users were able substituting different command line interpreters. Further the developers of MS-DOS added DOS Shell (a special file manager program utilizing a quasi-graphical TUI (text user interface) with split windows, features menus, mouse support, different color themes and shortcuts for programs.

However, all these features were far from perfect, and couldnt be called a user-friendly environment. In contrast to MS-DOS, Windows Vista employs the most modern graphic and visual features. It supports four variants of user interface styles: Windows Aero, Windows Vista Basic, Windows Standard (corresponds to Windows XP classic style), and Windows Classic (corresponds to the classic style of the previous Windows versions: 2000, 98, 95, etc. ). Although Windows Vistas developers claim that their system has more enhanced speed of operation compared to the previous versions of Windows (for example, Windows XP) due to special updated memory management subsystem and input-output along with the possibility to autorun programs and services in a background mode, still it cannot be compared to MS-DOS speed of operation.

Yet, it is necessary to understand that MS-DOS quantity of programs, services and visual graph is not nearly so high as for Windows Vista, therefore it is incorrect to compare them by this characteristics. MS-DOS system works in on-line real time regime of x 86 processor. In contrast to Windows Vista, which is multitask system, MS-DOS supports only one task at one point in time. The kernel of MS-DOS system establishes interrupt INT 21 h for the system services, such as open the file, save file, etc (A Short History of MS-DOS 2007).

The minimum set of files for MS-DOS is as follows: IO. SYS (BIOS services), MSDOS. SYS, COMMAND. COM (the command interpreter). MS-DOS files of configuration are: CONFIG. SYS (driver and device configuration), and AUTOEXEC.

BAT (start script). Naturally, MS-DOS was just a simple version of operating system and offered only the command line interface. MS-DOS had a comparatively small number of commands that were generally inflexible because they were designed to accommodate few options or arguments (i. e. , values that can be passed to the commands) (MS-DOS: A Brief Introduction 2007). The developers of MS-DOS also created a number of so-called shells, e. g.

the programs that allow making the work with the computer file system and operating system more evident and clearly intuitive. The new version of Windows Vista has many new technical, management, security and safety, and input / output features. In contrast to MS-DOS, Windows Vista provides the user with the enhanced safety and data reliability (the developers of Windows Vista added some enhanced features, such as integrated antivirus protection feature the dynamic security protection that helps automatically safeguard your PC against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software (Productivity Highlights 2007), more flexible customization of users rights, data encryption, easier information management, and compatibility with the vast majority of modern communication mediums, enhanced and simplified management and OS installation). Along with these features, Windows Vista offers updated user interface, and master of synchronization with mobile devices (A tour of Windows Vista Beta 2 2007), to mention a few. New version of Windows Vista utilizes Ready Boost (Five Great Features in Windows Vista RC 1 2007) and Ready Drive technologies that use flash memory to enhance performance. They cash the most commonly used data and programs.

In addition, there is Super Fetch technology that uses machine learning. It analyzes usage patterns and allows the system making decisions whether the programs may or may not be allowed running in system memory. Certainly, Windows Vistas graphics is considerably enhanced compared to that of MS-DOS. Windows Vista employs WDDM (Windows Display Driver Model) along with the updated Direct 3 D.

These features allow Vista rendering more complex graphic scenes with higher quality. Conclusion In contrast to Windows Vista, MS-DOS is a single-user and single-tasking (MS-DOS: A Brief Introduction 2007) computer operating system that employs a command line interface. Despite of MS-DOS features additional functions and improved performance it cannot be compared to Windows Vista by its productivity and other features. MS-DOS has no built-in security features, in contrast to Vista that offers a built-in antivirus. MS-DOS is an obsolete operating system, while Windows Vista belongs to the new generation of multi-user and multi-tasking computer operating systems. Although some programmers still continue to use MS-DOS, it will never be able to come even anywhere close to Windows in terms of its features and performance.

Works Cited A Short History of MS-DOS. 18 June 2007 < web >. A tour of Windows Vista Beta 2. 18 June 2007 < web >. Five Great Features in Windows Vista RC 1. 18 jUNE 2007 < web >. MS-DOS: A Brief Introduction. 18 June 2007 < web >. Productivity Highlights. 18 June 2007 < web >.

Research essay sample on Comparing Ms Dos To Windows Vista