An operating system (OS) is a software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs. The main purpose of an operating system is to act as an interface between the user and the computer hardware.
Here are some of the primary functions of an operating system:
Resource management: The operating system manages computer hardware resources, such as the CPU, memory, and storage, to ensure that programs can access these resources as needed. It also manages peripheral devices, such as printers and scanners.
Memory management: The operating system allocates memory to different programs and manages the use of virtual memory when there is insufficient physical memory available.
Process management: The operating system manages the execution of programs and processes, including starting and stopping programs and scheduling processes to run on the CPU.
User interface: The operating system provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to interact with the computer through a visual interface, such as icons and windows.
Security: The operating system provides security features, such as user accounts and permissions, to protect the computer and its data from unauthorized access and malicious software.
