When Was The First Operating System Developed?

An operating system (OS) is a group of computer programs that control both hardware and software resources of a computer. An operating system uses and processes user input and responds by allocating tasks and inner system resources as a service to users and programs of the system. An operating system executes fundamental tasks such as assigning and controlling memory, managing input and output devices, prioritizing system requirements, and organizing file systems.


OS/360 stands for Operating System/360. This batch processing operating system was developed by IBM. OS/360 was amongst the first operating systems.

OS/360 was developed with the help of three control programs which improved in functionality as well as size.
• Primary Control Program (PCP): process task sequentially.
• Multiprogramming with a Fixed number of Tasks (MFT): allows a fixed number multitasking
• Multiprogramming with a Variable number of Tasks (MVT): allows varying numbers of tasks.
IBM's batch-scripting language JCL was also launched by OS/360.
OS/360 was delivered late due to a mixture of organizational disorder within IBM and lack of knowledge with the drawbacks of huge software projects, as well as the important technological challenges. Originally released date was in 1965 for prototype and 1966 for the more complex ones but it was released in 1966 and 1967.