Operating systems (OS) are fundamental software components that serve as an intermediary between the of a computer or electronic device and the user or other software applications. The primary purpose of an operating system is to manage and control the computer's while providing a user-friendly interface for interactions. The OS kernel acts as the core or central component that manages essential functions and resources. Its key roles include hardware abstraction, process and task management, memory management, device drivers, file system management, and .
Hardware abstraction involves creating a simplified and consistent interface between software and hardware components, allowing software to interact with various hardware devices without needing to understand the intricate details of each device. This speeds up application development and allows portability of software between with different hardware specifications. Process and task management in an operating system involve the creation, scheduling, and termination of processes, threads, or tasks, enabling multitasking and efficient resource allocation. Device drivers serve as a bridge between the OS and hardware devices, facilitating communication and control between them.
File system management is a critical function of an operating system that involves the organization, storage, retrieval, and maintenance of and directories on storage devices. OSs also manage system memory by allocating memory space to processes as needed, ensuring efficient utilization of available memory. Operating systems implement security mechanisms to protect the system and its resources from unauthorized access, viruses, and other threats. User interfaces provided by operating systems allow users to interact with the system and run applications, which include graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and command-line interfaces (CLIs).
