An operating system is a program or software that controls the execution of application programs and acts as an interface between the user of a computer and the computer hardware.
To be more specific, the operating system is used to control the hardware memory, schedule the execution of programs, and schedule input output traffic between the CPU and other devices.
Operating systems are designed to present the various hardware resources of a computer to software and to a user.
A good operating system, can dramatically improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of program execution performance.
Every computer must have an operating system to run other program. The operating system controls and coordinates the use of the hardware among the various system programs an application program for a various users.
The operating system boots the computer, launches application software programs and ensures that all actions required by a user are valid and processed in orderly fashion.
Some operating systems are designed for a microcomputer single user environment, and others are for multiple users.
The complexity of operating system is much higher in a multiple user operating system due to the management of computer memory and CPU time shared by many users.
Different sizes of computers typically use different operating systems because operating systems generally are written to run on a specific type of computer. For example, a mainframe computer does not use the same operations system as personal computer.
Today, many computers use what is called an operating environment, which provides end users with a user friendly interface to use.
Definition of Operating System
