How is Linux DIFFERENT from DOS?
 
 
 

• Implemented on several hardware platforms (Intel, Mac (68K and PPC), Alpha, MIPS, ...)
• Several users (or the same person more than once) can be running on the same machine at the same time. Each can be running several tasks.
• Multi-user structure implies :
• There must be a secure file permission system.
• Users cannot be allowed to affect each other or the OS.
• User(s) must log in (id/password) before use.
• Programs compiled to run on Linux do not run on DOS/Windows. Some DOS and Windows programs can be run under Linux using emulators.
• Modularity - user is NOT locked in to one shell or GUI.