What Is An Operating System
Uploaded by
nikkichoudhary363What Is An Operating System
Uploaded by
nikkichoudhary363What is an Operating System?
An Operating System (OS) is system software that acts as a bridge between the user and the computer
hardware.
* Users can’t directly talk to hardware (CPU, memory, hard disk, printer, etc.) because hardware
understands only machine language (0s and 1s).
The OS translates user commands into machine instructions so the hardware can understand and
execute them.
It also makes sure resources (CPU, memory, files, and devices) are used efficiently and fairly.
Without an OS, you would need to write very complex instructions just to run a single program.
Examples of Operating Systems
Desktop/Laptop OS: Windows, Linux, macOS
Mobile OS: Android, iOS
Others: Unix, Chromes, real-time OS in machines (like medical devices, airplanes, washing machines).
Diagram of OS Layers
+-----------------------------------+
| Application Programs |
| (MS Word, Chrome, Games, Apps) |
+-----------------------------------+
| Operating System (OS) |
| - Process Management |
| - Memory Management |
| - File Management |
| - Device Management |
| - Security & User Interface |
+-----------------------------------+
| Computer Hardware |
| (CPU, RAM, Hard Disk, Printer) |
+-----------------------------------+
The OS sits in the middle and acts like a manager between applications and hardware.
Functions of an Operating System
1. Process Management– Runs multiple programs (like browser + music player at the same time).
2. Memory Management – Decides which program gets how much RAM.
3. File Management – Keeps track of files in folders and storage devices.
4. Device Management – Controls devices like keyboard, mouse, printer, speakers.
5. Security
– Protects the system from unauthorized users (passwords, firewalls).
6. User Interface– Provides GUI (Windows, icons, menus) or CLI (command line).
Real-Life Example: Restaurant Analogy
Think of a **restaurant**:
You (customer) = User
Waiter = Operating System
Kitchen (chefs, stove, ingredients) = Hardware
Process:
1. You tell the waiter your order (→ run an application).
2. The waiter understands and passes it to the kitchen (→ OS instructs hardware).
3. Kitchen prepares the food (→ hardware executes).
4. The waiter serves it back to you (→ output on screen).
Without the waiter (OS), you would have to cook yourself (directly talk to hardware) — very hard!
Example in Computer
You click Play Song on your mobile.
The App (Music Player) sends a request to the OS.
The OS tells the hardware (speaker, CPU, memory, storage)** what to do.
You hear the song
In Short:
An Operating System is the heart of a computer system.
It manages hardware, runs applications, provides security, and makes computers user-friendly
