Developing an operating system is frequently a difficult and intricate task. Because low-level system programming minimizes latency, consumes less resources, and gives developers more control over how computer memory is maintained, developers utilize it to create operating systems. Low level ensures that the OS can seamlessly communicate with the underlying computer architecture and allows developers to interface with hardware. Despite the fact that numerous languages can be used to create operating systems, certain languages are preferred by developers over others due to their advantages. The eight most popular programming languages are listed below:
Assembly Language: Developers frequently utilize assembly language to write the kernel, which is one of the most important components of an operating system. In situations where the system needs low-level access to the computers’ hardware, it is the lowest level programming language that is frequently utilized. Different assembly languages are used by different architectures.
C: One of the most used languages for creating operating systems is C. The main goal of the language’s creation was to advance UNIX. C has the ability to do pointer arithmetic and interact with memory addresses. It is ideal for system programming because of its basic functionality. Building operating systems and other system-level software requires the ability to directly control and manipulate memory, which is something that this tool facilitates.
C++: C++ is merely a C extension. This programming language meets a few requirements in the process of creating an operating system. It assists in producing more modular kernels that are object-oriented. This is demonstrated by the development of C++-based operating systems such as Haiku and the kernel components of Microsoft Windows.
Rust: Due to its support for parallelism, abstractions, memory safety, and control over low-level systems, Rust has become somewhat more well-known recently. The language is intended to minimize common programming issues linked to memory, such as use-after-free errors, buffer overflows, and null pointer differences. It gives the developers command over CPU registers, memory, and interrupts.
Nim: Nim is a programming language for systems. It seeks to bring low-level efficiency and high-level abstractions together. Although it’s not a conventional option for developing operating systems, there are applications for it. Nim is more suited for some user-level components and places a greater emphasis on performance, safety, and simplicity.
ADA: Ada is a statically typed, high-integrity language. It is a component of some real-time and embedded operating systems, as well as safety-critical systems.
Golang: Golang is also utilized for particular parts of OS development. For example, the Plan 9 kernel has been used to power a number of user-level services, utilities, and apps written in the Go programming language.
Zig: Zig is intended for low-level programming. It emphasizes readability above performance and safety. Within the community of systems programmers, it has garnered some interest. Similarly, the programming language Nim is likewise not widely used for creating entire operating systems, although it can be used to create low-level software, device drivers, and other system-level applications.
