what is the operating system (os)?

Answer 1

It a Program that tells all the computer parts how to talk to each other as in Modems and Hard Drives. Also, it helps other programs to work with these things.
In a shorter explain; It the Boss of all the workers.

Answer 2

OS is the bridge between the user and the system - it is a very simple
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. The other programs are called applications or application programs. The application programs make use of the operating system by making requests for services through a defined application program interface (API). In addition, users can interact directly with the operating system through a user interface such as a command language or a graphical user interface (GUI).

An operating system performs these services for applications:

* In a multitasking operating system where multiple programs can be running at the same time, the operating system determines which applications should run in what order and how much time should be allowed for each application before giving another application a turn.
* It manages the sharing of internal memory among multiple applications.
* It handles input and output to and from attached hardware devices, such as hard disks, printers, and dial-up ports.
* It sends messages to each application or interactive user (or to a system operator) about the status of operation and any errors that may have occurred.
* It can offload the management of what are called batch jobs (for example, printing) so that the initiating application is freed from this work.
* On computers that can provide parallel processing, an operating system can manage how to divide the program so that it runs on more than one processor at a time.

Answer 3

The most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a traffic cop -- it makes sure that different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system.

Answer 4

Modern general-purpose computers, including personal computers and mainframes, have an operating system to run other programs, such as application software. Examples of operating systems for personal computers include Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS (Darwin), and Unix.

The main advantages of an operating system include:

1. Allows multiple programs to run concurrently.
2. Simplifies the programming of application software because the program does not have to manage the hardware. The operating systems manages all hardware and the interaction of software. It also gives the program a high level interface to the hardware and ways of interacting with other programs.

Answer 5

The most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a traffic cop -- it makes sure that different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system.

Operating systems can be classified as follows:

multi-user : Allows two or more users to run programs at the same time. Some operating systems permit hundreds or even thousands of concurrent users.
multiprocessing : Supports running a program on more than one CPU.
multitasking : Allows more than one program to run concurrently.
multithreading : Allows different parts of a single program to run concurrently.
real time: Responds to input instantly. General-purpose operating systems, such as DOS and UNIX, are not real-time.
Operating systems provide a software platform on top of which other programs, called application programs, can run. The application programs must be written to run on top of a particular operating system. Your choice of operating system, therefore, determines to a great extent the applications you can run. For PCs, the most popular operating systems are DOS, OS/2, and Windows, but others are available, such as Linux

Answer 6

An operating system does not have a single definition. Answers range from "everything that comes out of the box" to a simple kernel that provides a software interface for humans to interact with. The most typical definition of OS that I've heard is a collection of software that does these things:

1. provides a software interface to control the hardware
2. efficiently allocate system resources (cpu cycles, memory, etc) to programs
3. efficiently run programs (multiple threads, caching, etc)
4. protect running programs from outside attack (virus, trojan) or other programs/users (accidently overwriting something in memory)
5. networking (communicating with other comps or devices)

Answer 7

hai pooja....

to know about operating system yu should know about the computers first....


in olden days( that is in precint of the development in the computers) for a computer to be able to work according to the instructions, they have to be loaded with resources and activities, manually..........
but.........
after developments in the making of computers, the designers thought of a simple solution to this ,
rather than everytime uploading of various files,resources and knowledge of how to function and what to do., like these they created a packaged software and installed on the computer, along with some memory added to it.

this program should, at the time of starting up of the system, take all the resources and devices , communication channels and check the integrity of the system. and then boot it up.. later on the instructions of the user should provide the necessary resources and know-how to the program. all this and many more tasks were given under its control...... this shall reside in the computer itself and should fucntion according to the users facility.

this packaged software, is what now we call an operating system.........

got that.....

Answer 8

the operating system is the program that your computer runs on. Windows is the operating system and XP, 2000 or 98 is the platform.

Answer 9

operating system is the platform to communicate between user and system ,there are so many os is
win95,98.nt,2000prof,xp,right now2003server

Answer 10

an os is an middle man between ur software and hardware.....