UNIX was earlier known as UNICS. The full form of UNIX ( also known as UNICS) is UNiplexed Information Computing System. UNICS is a highly popular, powerful and multitasking Operating System. It was launched in the year of 1969. UNICS is a multi-user Operating system that is also virtual. This operating system can be implemented across many platforms like laptops, servers, mobile devices, desktops, palmtops, tabs etc. The first version of this Operating System was written in assembly language, and later version four was written in C language in 1973. Later in 2000, Apple launched its own UNIX system called Darwin, popularly known as Mac OS(Macintosh Operating System).
Shell: It operates as an interface between the kernel and the user. Before entering into the shell, every user has to undergo an authentication check.
Program: Under execution, the program features a Unique PID (program identifier) which is used to identify the program.
Kernel: It is responsible for the storage of files and assigned time and memory allocation to programs.
Portable OS: UNIX system is very easy to understand, modify and transfer to other devices as it is written using High-Level Language(HLL). This feature not only allows users to modify but also to store the codes on new machines. This portability function allows UNIX OS to function efficiently on multiple devices.
Multitasking: UNIX OS can perform many tasks at a time with minimal use of physical memory, which means if a process is functioning then we can function another process in the background.
Filters and Pipes: This feature of UNIX OS helps the user to create complicated programs from simpler ones.
File system: UNIX OS follows a hierarchical file system that helps with easy maintenance and efficiency.
Extensive library: The UNIX OS has a very extensive library which makes it very useful for the user.
Command line-based OS: UNIX OS is based on the command line, due to which it becomes very difficult to work for common users.
Less accessible documentation: Documentation for many UNIX tools is not easily accessible.
Not easy to comprehend: Cryptics are applied using some special characters, which is difficult to comprehend for the new user.