NeXTSTEP was an operating system developed by NeXT, a company founded by Steve Jobs in 1985. It was designed for workstations and featured a Unix-based architecture, which provided stability and advanced networking capabilities. The system was known for its object-oriented programming environment, making it easier for developers to create applications. Released in 1989, NeXTSTEP included a graphical user interface that was innovative for its time, incorporating features like drag-and-drop functionality. It played a significant role in the development of software, particularly in education and scientific research, and laid the groundwork for future operating systems, including macOS.