An operating system is the foundational software that manages a computer’s hardware and provides services to applications. It handles tasks such as memory management, process scheduling, file systems, and device communication. Without an operating system, programs would need to control hardware directly, which would be impractical and unsafe. Operating systems create an abstraction layer so applications can run consistently across different machines. Popular operating systems include Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions. Each OS defines how applications interact with resources, permissions, and security boundaries. The operating system also manages users, system services, and background tasks.
how it works
When a computer boots, the operating system loads into memory and initializes hardware drivers. It creates isolated environments called processes, each with its own memory space. The OS schedules CPU time among processes, handles interrupts from devices, and manages file operations through the file system. Networking stacks inside the OS handle packets and connections. Security mechanisms enforce permissions on files, ports, and system settings. Applications request resources through system calls, which the OS executes safely. Understanding operating systems helps developers troubleshoot performance issues and design efficient software.