What Is An Operating System?
In computing, an operating system (OS) is the system software responsible for the direct control and management of hardware and basic system operations. Additionally, it provides a foundation upon which to run application software such as word processing programs and web browsers. Definition cited from Wikipedia.
Your operating system is the program that controls your computer. Most computers already have an operating system installed when you buy them. The two most popular operating system families are Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh. Each operating system family comes in specific versions. If you’re running Windows, you may be running Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows ME), Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista. If you’re using a Macintosh, you may be running Mac OS X 10.1, OS X 10.2 (Jaguar), OS X 10.3 (Panther), or OS X 10.4 (Tiger). Generally, if you want to upgrade your operating system, you need to purchase the upgrade from Microsoft, Apple, or a software reseller.
An operating system is the master control program for the computer. It is the stored information that your computer needs to operate. Without an operating system all of the hardware would just sit there and collect dust! The hardware is like your skeleton, muscles, and organs. Without a brain you would just sit there and collect dust, too!
An operating system is a program designed to run other programs on a computer. A computer’s operating system is its most important program. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible for everything from the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. They also manage files on computer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners. The operating system of a large computer system has even more work to do. Such operating systems monitor different programs and users, making sure everything runs smoothly, without interference, despite the fact that numerous devices and programs are used simultaneously. An operating system also has a vital role to play in security. Its job includes preventing unauthorized users from accessing the computer system. There are multiuser, multiprocessing, multitasking, multithreading, an
An operating system (sometimes abbreviated as “OS”) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all the other programs in a computer. The other programs are called applications or application programs. The application programs make use of the operating system by making requests for services through a defined application program interface (API). In addition, users can interact directly with the operating system through a user interface such as a command language or a graphical user interface (GUI). An operating system performs these services for applications: • In a multitasking operating system where multiple programs can be running at the same time, the operating system determines which applications should run in what order and how much time should be allowed for each application before giving another application a turn. • It manages the sharing of internal memory among multiple applications. • It handles input and output to and from
