Final answer:
Operating systems manage hardware resources, provide interfaces, and execute processes. Types include desktop, server, mobile, and embedded systems, with examples like Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Device specifications influence the OS functionality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Common characteristics among operating systems include managing hardware resources, providing a user interface, executing and managing processes, handling system input and output, providing a file system, ensuring security, and allowing for network connectivity. Four main types of operating systems are:
- Desktop operating systems: Examples include Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora.
- Server operating systems: Examples include Windows Server, Linux Server distributions such as CentOS, and UNIX.
- Mobile operating systems: Examples include Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS.
- Embedded operating systems for devices like routers or smart TVs: Examples include VxWorks, Embedded Linux, and Tizen.
The device on which an operating system runs greatly affects its functionality. For instance, a mobile operating system is designed for touch input and power efficiency, while desktop operating systems offer functionality suited to keyboard and mouse input. The hardware limitations, such as CPU power, memory, and storage, also determine what an operating system can do on a particular device.