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A '''Distributed operating system''' is an [[operating system]]. While this statement is somewhat trivial, it is not always overtly obvious; because a distributed operating system is simultaneously a [[distributed system]]. This idea is synonymous to
An operating system, at its most basic level, is expected to isolate and manage the lower-level physical complexities of the [[hardware]] and associated resources. In turn, these low-level physical elements are organized into simplified logical [[abstractions]]. These abstractions are finally presented as higher-level [[Interface (computer science)|interfaces]] into the underlying hardware and [[Resource (computer science)|resources]]. The Distributed operating system not only fulfills its role in this capacity; but is capable of doing so in a manner indistinguishable from its more centralized counterparts. That is, although distributed in nature, it appears to the user as a singular and local entity; only exposing its unique distributed attributes if convenient or necessary for a specific purpose. Again, a square is a rectangle, the same in principle, different in configuration.
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=== Pioneering inspirations ===
With a cursory glance around the internet, or a modest perusal of pertinent writings, one could very easily gain the notion that computer operating systems were a new phenomenon in the mid-twentieth century. In fact, important research in operating systems was being conducted at this time.<ref>Dreyfuss, P. 1958. System design of the Gamma 60. In Proceedings of the May 6-8, 1958, Western Joint Computer Conference: Contrasts in Computers (Los Angeles, California, May 06 - 08, 1958). IRE-ACM-AIEE '58 (Western). ACM, New York, NY, 130-133. </ref><ref>Leiner, A. L., Notz, W. A., Smith, J. L., and Weinberger, A. 1958. Organizing a network of computers to meet deadlines. In Papers and Discussions Presented At the December 9-13, 1957, Eastern Joint Computer Conference: Computers with Deadlines To Meet (Washington, D.C., December 09 - 13, 1957). IRE-ACM-AIEE '57</ref><ref>Leiner, A. L., Smith, J. L., Notz, W. A., and Weinberger, A. 1958. PILOT, the NBS multicomputer system. In Papers and Discussions Presented At the December 3-5, 1958, Eastern Joint Computer Conference: Modern Computers: Objectives, Designs, Applications (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 03 - 05, 1958). AIEE-ACM-IRE '58 (Eastern). ACM, New York, NY, 71-75.</ref><ref>Bauer, W. F. 1958. Computer design from the programmer's viewpoint. In Papers and Discussions Presented At the December 3-5, 1958, Eastern Joint Computer Conference: Modern Computers: Objectives, Designs, Applications (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 03 - 05, 1958). AIEE-ACM-IRE '58 (Eastern). ACM, New York, NY, 46-51.</ref><ref>Leiner, A. L., Notz, W. A., Smith, J. L., and Weinberger, A. 1959. PILOT—A New Multiple Computer System. J. ACM 6, 3 (Jul. 1959), 313-335. </ref><ref>Estrin, G. 1960. Organization of computer systems: the fixed plus variable structure computer. In Papers Presented At the May 3-5, 1960, Western Joint IRE-AIEE-ACM Computer Conference (San Francisco, California, May 03 - 05, 1960). IRE-AIEE-ACM '60 (Western). ACM, New York, NY, 33-40.</ref> While early exploration into operating systems took place in the years leading to 1950; shortly afterward, highly advanced research began on new systems to conquer new problems. In the first decade of the second-half of the [[20th century]], many new questions were asked, many new problems were identified, many solutions were developed and working for years, in controlled production environments.
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