operating system 32 bit vs. 64bit

 

Operating System lies in the category of system software. It basically manages all the resources of the computer. An operating system acts as an interface between the software and different parts of the computer or the computer hardware. The operating system is designed in such a way that it can manage the overall resources and operations of the computer. It is a fully integrated set of specialized programs that handle all the operations of the computer. It controls and monitors the execution of all other programs that reside in the computer, which also includes application programs and other system software of the computer.

Examples of operating system are Windows, Linux, Mac OS, etc.

 

Characteristics:

Let us now discuss some of the important characteristic features of operating systems:

Device Management: The operating system keeps track of all the devices. So, it is also called the          Input / Output controller that decides which process gets the device, when, and for how much time.

File Management: It allocates and de-allocates the resources and also decides who gets the resource.

Job Accounting: It keeps the track of time and resources used by various jobs or users.

Error-detecting Aids: It contains methods that include the production of dumps, traces, error  messages, and other debugging and error-detecting methods.

Memory Management: It keeps track of the primary memory, like what part of it is in use by whom, or what part is not in use, etc. and It also allocates the memory when a process or program requests it.

Processor Management: It allocates the processor to a process and then de-allocates the  processor when it is no longer required or the job is done.

Control on System Performance: It records the delays between the request for a service and  from the system.

Security: It prevents unauthorized access to programs and data by means of passwords or some kind  of protection technique.

 

Difference between 32-Bit and 64-Bit Operating Systems

 

Parameter	32-Bit OS	64-Bit OS
Handling of Data and Storage	As its name suggests, the 32 bit OS can store and handle lesser data than the 64 bit OS. More specifically, it addresses a maximum of 4,294,967,296 bytes (4 GB) of RAM.	The 64 bit OS, on the other hand, can handle more data than the 32 bit OS. It means that it can address a total of 264 memory addresses, which is 18-Quintillion GB of RAM.
Compatibility of System	A 32-bit processor system could properly run a 32-bit OS, but it cannot run the 64-bit OS at its full capability.	A 64-bit processor system can run either a 32-bit or 64-bit version of an installed operating system (OS).
Application Support	The 64-bit programs and applications won’t work.	The 32-bit programs and applications will work with no hassle.
Performance	The factor of performance in a 32-bit processor is less efficient than the 64-bit processor.	It exhibits a higher performance than the 32-bit processor.
Addressable Space	It has an addressable space of 4 GB.	These have an addressable space of 16 GB.
OS Support	It needs a 32-bit operating system.	This one can run on both 32-bit and the 64-bit operating system.
Multi-Tasking Support	The 32-bit system is not a very ideal option for multi-tasking and stress-testing.	For multitasking and stress testing, the 64-bit processor is better. It also works well for the execution of other heavy applications.
OS and CPU Requirements	The 32-bit applications and operating systems require 32-bit CPUs.	The 64-bit operating system needs a 64-bit CPU, and the 64-bit applications require a 64-bit CPU and OS.
Systems Available	These support Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 8, and Linux.	These support Windows XP Professional, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows Vista, Linux, and Mac OS X.
Limits in Memory	A 32-bit system has a limit of 32 bit Windows 3.2 GB of RAM. The limit in its addressable space doesn’t allow you to use the entire physical memory space of 4GB.	A 64-bit system enables its users to store up to 17 Billion GB of RAM.