University Assignment: Comparative Analysis of Linux and Windows OS

This homework assignment compares and contrasts the Linux and Windows operating systems, focusing on their key differences and advantages. The analysis covers aspects such as security, stability, user-friendliness, open-source nature, hardware requirements, cloud computing capabilities, and software compatibility. The assignment highlights Linux's strengths in security, stability, and suitability for programming and cloud computing, while acknowledging Windows' user-friendliness and broader software support. It references several academic sources to support the arguments. The student concludes that Linux offers significant advantages, especially in cloud computing and stability, leading to a suggestion that Microsoft supports Linux to retain its customer base and remain competitive. This document provides a valuable resource for students studying operating systems and information systems, offering a concise overview of the two major operating systems.

Running head: FOUNDATION OF INFORMATION SYSTEM
Foundation of Information System
Name of Student:
Name of University:

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Answer to question 1
The Linux offers higher security, higher stability. Also, the operating system is quite easy
for the maintenance. Linux runs on any hardware. Linux is free to use and is open-source. The
advanced users who know the command line of Linux feel Linux more convenient. The
programmers choose Linux for its stability (Gunawan et al. 2018). Linux is suitable for Python,
Ruby, Java, and C/C++ programming. Linux is used for the educational purposes. The students
learn how to code operating system, compiler design and hacking on Linux platform. The web
developers also prefer Linux. However, the ASP.Net developers choose Windows.
Windows is much more user-friendly. The users who are not expert in computers and
have little computer knowledge can find Windows suitable. Windows has large customer base
compared to Linux all over the world (Regalado et al. 2015). The software companies thus
develop applications for the Windows platform. Adobe, Autodesk and Oracle’s applications
work better in Windows than Linux. Windows is a favourite choice for the gamers.
Answer to question 2
Linux is comparatively better than Windows. Windows have lots of vulnerabilities.
However, Linux gives numerous facilities which are listed below-
Open-source nature
Linux is an open-source platform. The applications that are used on the Linux platform
are all open-source as well (Membrey and Hows 2015). The users can be able to view the code,
can access the code and can modify the code as well. On the other hand, Windows operating
system and its applications are open sources.

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Security
Windows Operating System is vulnerable to several malware attacks. Linux is much
more stable and less prone to malware attack compared to Windows.
Hardware Requirements
Windows operating system requires minimum hardware as well as software requirements
to execute (Regalado et al. 2015). Linux distribution like Puppy Linux can work on the 256 MB
of RAM on any low-end system.
Stability
Linux operating system is more stable than Windows. Windows operating system hangs
frequently.
Cloud Computing
Linux is way ahead of Windows regarding cloud computing features (Gunawan et al.
2018). The users’ data remains in the database even after the virtual machine is rebooted.
Thus Linux offers robust and smooth performance, and for this reason, the customers are
more inclined towards Linux. Linux’s groundswell is very much strong in the market. That is
why Microsoft does not want to compete with Linux. Instead, they partnered with Linux. The
Azure cloud computing service gives the opportunity to run both Linux as well as Windows
(Membrey and Hows 2015). Linux provides the cloud computing features that comparatively
better than Windows. Thus for customer retention, Microsoft is offering support for Linux.

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Microsoft has taken the right decision. Linux overshadows Microsoft in multiple ways. If
Microsoft denies Linux, then they will lose customer base and will face a huge loss.
References
Gunawan, T.S., Lim, M.K., Zulkurnain, N.F. and Kartiwi, M., 2018. On the Review and Setup of
Security Audit using Kali Linux. Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer
Science, 11(1).
Ligh, M.H., Case, A., Levy, J. and Walters, A., 2014. The art of memory forensics: detecting
malware and threats in windows, linux, and Mac memory. John Wiley & Sons.
Membrey, P. and Hows, D., 2015. Learn Raspberry Pi 2 with Linux and Windows 10. Apress.
Regalado, D., Harris, S., Harper, A., Eagle, C., Ness, J., Spasojevic, B., Linn, R. and Sims, S.,
2015. Gray Hat Hacking The Ethical Hacker's Handbook. McGraw-Hill Education Group.