Computer Operating Systems
An operating system (OS) is a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer. A key component of system software, the OS performs basic tasks, such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.
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- Modern general-purpose computers, including personal computers and mainframes, have an operating system to run other programs, such as application software. Examples of operating systems for personal computers include Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS Darwin), and Unix.
The main advantages of an operating system include:
Allows multiple programs to run concurrently.
- Simplifies the programming of application software because the program does not have to manage the hardware. The operating systems manages all hardware and the interaction of software. It also gives the program a high level interface to the hardware and ways of interacting with other programs.
The lowest level of any operating system is its kernel. This is the first layer of software loaded into memory when a system boots or starts up. The kernel provides access to various common core services to all other system and application programs. These services include, but are not limited to: task scheduling, memory management, disk access, and access to hardware devices.
As well as the kernel, an operating system is often distributed with system software that manages a graphical user interface (although Windows and Macintosh have integrated these programs into the operating system), as well as utility programs for tasks such as managing files and configuring the operating system. Often times distributed with operating systems are application software that does not directly relate to the operating system's core function, but which the operating system distributor finds advantageous to supply with the operating system.
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