Member Avatar for firdousahmad

Whose Operating system is best Linux OR Windows????

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Short answer for an architecture question (as and asked: define the metric): "best" at the architecture level depends on which architectural properties you value — kernel structure, process model, driver strategy, IPC/io model, filesystem semantics, scheduler/real-time behavior, and security/privilege model. Below is a concise, practical comparison and a couple of quick commands you can run to inspect a machine.

Linux (what its architecture buys you)

  • Monolithic kernel with loadable modules: most core services (VFS, networking, scheduler, drivers) run in kernel space but can be extended without rebooting.
  • Process model: fork()/exec() + copy-on-write is central; useful for many server designs and fast process cloning.
  • Isolation primitives: namespaces + cgroups provide kernel-level containerization and resource control.
  • Tunability: scheduler (CFS) and realtime scheduling classes let you tune latency.
  • Drivers typically come as kernel modules built against a particular kernel tree, so custom kernel work is common in embedded/Appliance use.

Windows NT (what its architecture buys you)

  • Hybrid/layered kernel with a rich user-mode executive: clear separation between kernel-mode components and high-level services in user mode.
  • Process model: CreateProcess-style creation and a long-standing emphasis on backward binary compatibility; good for vendor-supplied commercial apps.
  • High-performance I/O: IO completion ports (IOCP) and overlapped I/O are common patterns for scalable servers on Windows.
  • Driver model and ecosystem: drivers are developed against stable driver frameworks (WDM/WDF), with vendor tooling and signing workflows aimed at compatibility and supportability.
  • Security: token/SID/ACL model integrated with Active Directory for enterprise policy.

Practical checks (run on the target machine to see architecture-info)

Linux:

uname -sr
lsmod | head
cat /proc/cmdline

Windows (cmd / PowerShell):

systeminfo
wmic os get Caption,Version,OSArchitecture
driverquery | more

Which to pick? Use architecture to match requirements: choose Linux for kernel control, containers, embedded or low-latency tuning; choose Windows when you need broad vendor driver support, guaranteed Win32 compatibility, or deep Microsoft integration. This complements points made by and about use cases — architecture should drive the choice, not blanket "best" claims.

Recommended Answers

All 15 Replies

Member Avatar for Member #905211

Best at what? Which versions of the OSes? What are you trying to do? What about OSX, Solaris or something new like http://www.haiku-os.org/

Can you try to be a little more specific about what you mean by best?

Member Avatar for JorgeM

Without a specific metric to measure, there is no way to answer this. Is there a purpose os the computer for building applications, running a web server, database, just browsing the internet, etc?

Member Avatar for firdousahmad

ai mean to say at architecture point of view

Member Avatar for firdousahmad

Any body can give me answer plzzzzzzzzzzzz

Member Avatar for krishrhce

Linux is best . Because it is free anti virus , This OS is Open source, download free software anyware and and it is user frendly.Linux OS supports .rpm and .bin extension packages to installation.In Linux we have so many flavoures (RedHat,fedora,Ubuntu,Suse,cent-OS etc.,) all are servers and Desktop support. Fedora and Cent-OS is user friendly. and also its architecture is also good.

All the best all
..... KRISH.....

Edited by krishrhce
Member Avatar for firdousahmad

thnx Krish

Member Avatar for Member #905211

So linux is best for programming C#? What about running IIS? What about running MS Office? Does it support Photoshop? 3DS Max? You can say you can use Mono (doesn't support the latest version of C#), Apache (doesn't do asp.net, unless you have mono, but look at last comment), Open Office or Gimp, but they aren't what is best or what people are used to using.

I like Linux, but to say it is the best you have to say at what. Is it the best for tablets? Phone? Netbooks? Desktops? Servers?

So as it's been stated from the beginning, you need to be specific.

For instance:

"I want to do movie editing, what would be the best OS for this?" - probably Mac since it seems to have the best tools for it.

"I want to create business software, what would be the best OS for this?" - probably Windows, since it has the greatest market share and you can easily test yuor program on it.

"I'm a cheap SOB that wants to pretend to be an elitist, what would be the best OS for this?" - Pick any Linux distro and you're in. The more obscure the distro the better.

ok, that last one is a bit of a jab, Linux really is great, but each have their strengths and weaknesses. If one was the best at everything, you'd be able to have a clear winner. However, since none are the best at everything, you have to give it context (as in at what?).

Member Avatar for DavidB

As others have said, it depends upon your application.

For most standard software applications, Windows offers the most options, although you could probably find comparable applications for Linux. It would be a little harder though. The difference would be the price: most software packages for Windows are commercial for-sale products, whereas most Linux products are free.

The one factor for which Linux beats Windows is the real-time capability.
Windows--I think--by definition prevents users from directly accessing the operating system. The delay introduced by this interface means it is not useful for any application requiring real-time interaction. So, if your application involves programming for robotics, telephony, communication, etc. --anything for which you want interaction to be as close to real-time as possible, you really have no choice but to use Linux (or Unix).

Member Avatar for capton

If you want to use the computer for your day to day stuff go for windows.
Use linux if you want to learn computing.
Perfect.

Member Avatar for khajvah

I can't agree with capton. Linux is freedom, there are linux distros for everything. Ubuntu is better than windows for day to day use.It is more secure, it is faster, it is EASIER TO USE (dont be surprised, ubuntu IS easier than windows, only some advanced things are harder on linux) and it is free, you can freely use your computer without spending any money on some software. Windows is better only for gaming and for some professional programs that are only on windows...

Edited by khajvah
Member Avatar for hbgy1s

I like linux a little more then Windows, you dont have to have anti virus software.

Member Avatar for mzs_47

It depends, claiming that Linux is free of viruses is naivety, it does have viruses alebit very few but growing(Use wikipedia if you don't trust my words), and for others it is free beer, that is how I started but now, for me it is the Freedom I get when I use linux/BSD. Read MS-EULA and understand it, you are paying money to give up your freedom. That is the reason I left windows after using it for 8 years and hating Linux all along.

Linux is spoiling me! ;P

Member Avatar for chris.stout

I prefer Linux. For me it's really all about the freedom that comes with using free (libre) software; though free (gratis) is a huge plus. I like having unfettered access to tinker with, and sometimes break, the software I'm using.

Member Avatar for professor123

they all have got their pros and cons and also it is a matter of ypur choice as to what you want to do and also which platform i.e linux or windows you have greatly been exposed to it will also make it alot easier for you to use!!!!!

Member Avatar for lewashby

I'M not a big game player but there are a few select games I have to keep Window$ around for (Half-Life original). I've also had bad luck replacing iTunes and running my iPod with Linux software.

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