Operating System

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. An Operating System is basically a set of programs that provide control of the CPU (Central Processor Unit) and its resources. Any general-purpose computer, such as a PC or a Mac to mention the most well known, requires an Operating System (OS) to organize the various hardware and software components that make up the system. The operating system is the core software component of our computer. It performs many functions and is, in very basic terms, an interface between your computer and the outside world. Hardware, a computer is described as consisting of several component parts including our monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other parts. The operating system provides an interface to these parts using what is referred to as "drivers". This is why sometimes when you install a new printer or other piece of hardware, your system will ask you to install more software called a driver. A driver is a specially written program which understands the operation of the device it interfaces to, such as a printer, video card, sound card or CD ROM drive. It translates commands from the operating system or user into commands understood by the the component computer part it interfaces with. It also translates responses from the component computer part back to responses that can be understood by the operating system, application program, or user. The below diagram gives a graphical depiction of the interfaces between the operating system and the computer component.