Language
Country/Area
No result found
How did Apple transition from the old Mac OS to the modern macOS? The transformation you never expected!
The history of Apple's macOS can be traced back to its gradual replacement of the classic Mac OS. The classic Mac OS has been the operating system for Apple computers since 1984, but in 1997, with Apple's acquisition of NeXT, it gradually switched to a new UNIX-based operating system - macOS. This transformation is not only a technological innovation, but also a strategic step.
The modernization of macOS began in 1999 with the release of Mac OS X Server 1.0. The operating system was based on advanced technology Apple acquired from NeXT, although it did not include the famous Aqua user interface.
In 2001, Apple officially launched the desktop version for ordinary users - Mac OS X 10.0, which marked a radical change from the classic Mac OS. Since then, Apple has continued to optimize its operating system, focusing on user experience. Starting with Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, macOS Server is no longer released as a standalone operating system, but instead is sold as a server management tool as an add-on.
As Apple improves, the support environment for older operating systems has also evolved. Surprisingly, the existence of the classic environment allows users to run older applications, which is an important feature for program developers. comfort measures.
macOS has also significantly optimized its security and network functions during its development. Its roots come from BSD and it features multi-user access, TCP/IP networking capabilities, and memory protection. This technical background has enabled macOS to obtain Unix system certification, making it a system that meets modern needs.
In order to allow developers to transition to the new platform more smoothly, Apple launched the Carbon API, which allows old versions of applications to quickly adapt to the new operating system architecture. More importantly, macOS also introduces a diversity of programming languages. Developers can use C, C++, Objective-C, Java and Python for development, which significantly improves the flexibility and breadth of its use.
In the course of multiple version improvements, macOS has also achieved a transition from naming after "big cats" to place names in California. For example, after Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, subsequent versions such as OS X 10.9 Mavericks were all codenamed after California, demonstrating Apple's emphasis on local culture.
With the release of the Public Beta in 2000 and the subsequent official version, the appearance of the Aqua user interface completely changed people's usage habits. This emphasis on user interface design makes macOS look significantly different from its predecessor. User experience has made great progress in this update, and many new features such as Dock also make desktop operations more convenient.
In subsequent versions, Apple continued to introduce innovations, such as the Time Machine feature introduced in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, which made data backup easier than ever before. In addition, Apple's system has also made significant improvements in performance and stability. This series of changes not only improves user power, but also further consolidates macOS's competitive advantage in the market.
The ever-evolving macOS finally reached a major milestone in 2020 - macOS 11 Big Sur. The change in its version number symbolizes the beginning of a new era, which is consistent with the version number rules of Apple's other operating systems.
Today's macOS is no longer a simple operating system, but a platform that integrates diverse functions and ultimate performance. How will it evolve further in the future? Will there be more unexpected changes?
