Mac OS X is the brand new operating system for Machintos computer. First was Mac OS was released in 2001. Mac OS X version 10.5 (update 10.5.1-10.5.2-10.5.3-10.5.4) with "Leopard" code is the latest Mac OS X, was released on Oktober 2007.
Mac OS X is 10th generation of Machintos operating system, after Mac OS 8 and Mac OS 9. So…. Why they called/named it Mac OS X not Mac OS 10 ? Because it a tradition for their company to brand their own product with “unix” base operating system name, like AIX, IRIX, Linux, Minix, Ultrix, Xenix).The interesting one from this operating system is its beautiful user graphic interface, and it become a sample for others.
Mac OS X have a unique file system that is the Mac OS Extended format. It provides both perceived simplicity and enhanced metadata attributes. It responsible for the simplification of the Mac OS X files structure. As a sample is an entire application can be represented as a single icon to the user in the Finder.
Complexity of the underlying file system increased, this was the downside feature. It makes complexity affects both compatibility and deployment practices.
The Mac OS uses several unique file elements to hide complexity from the user: file attributes, resource forks, bundles, and packages on its extended file system. Attention when using deployment tools.
On a Mac OS Extended volume, every file and folder has additional file attributes that are not immediately visible to the user. These attributes includes creation date, modification date, ownership, permissions, access control lists, Spotlight information, Finder labels, legacy file type information, file system flags. Some of attributes only can be accessed from the Get Info window of the Finder.
A resource fork was built in Macintosh operating system since long time ago; it used to simplify the user experience. Forked file system make complex items, such as applications, appear as a single icon, allowing multiple pieces of data to appear as a single item in the file system.
See other articles for further explanation.