UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Unix started to be used to name a single operating system. Later, Unix was used generically to name all descendants of that original OS. The term *nix was/is also used. There is also Unix like which refer to all OSes that share the same set of features and interface. That common set is standardized and Unix is no more an OS but is used to formally qualify an OS that is certified to comply with these standards (Single Unix Specifications / POSIX).

On the other hand, the term platform has no clear-cut definition. It usually designs the combination of hardware and software onto what you are developing/installing something (eg: Solaris on SPARC, Wintel, Linux on x86, AIX on POWER architecture, Java) but might only design either the OS alone (software platform) or the hardware alone (hardware platform).

The Macmillan online dictionary has one definition of "platform" and example usage:
Computing: The type of computer system that you have and the programs that you can use with it
Can the project be run on a personal computer platform?

Personally I do not agree with this definition. Common usage comes up with "Oracle running on a unix platform" and "Oracle running on a Windows platform". IMHO these two are both inaccurate and also contradict the Macmillan definition (which would include Oracle in the "platform").

The Shorter Oxford dictionary has the definition of "platform" which I agree with:
A standard for the hardware of a computer system, which determines what kinds of software it can run.

DYOR and good luck.

Ps. There are a lot lot more definitions of "platform", but do concentrate on those in the computing context:
http://www.onelook.com/?w=platform&ls=a