An operating system is the software that runs behind the scenes of the computer, coordinating the hardware components, including memory files, file systems, as well as input/output devices like keyboards, monitors, printers, and modems. It also controls access to the central processing unit, or CPU.
Multitasking is a term that allows multiple programs to run concurrently on an OS. This is possible because the OS allocates resources from the system like memory space and CPU time to a program during execution. It tracks how much memory and CPU time a program consumes and makes sure that it doesn’t interfere with other programs that use the same resources.
Operating systems also keep track of the locations and status of the files on the hard drives of computers. They create virtual directories and store metadata, including the date of creation or modification. An OS also makes it easier for an application to connect with the hardware of the computer through drivers. These drivers translate the hardware’s proprietary language into a common language that operating systems recognize.
If an application needs to save a document it connects to the kernel of the operating system. This is because an application cannot directly access the disk drive, which requires a driver to communicate with it. The operating system creates a logical request, which it then transforms. Hardware is utilized in accordance with instructions.