Difference between revisions of "Operating system"
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== Descriptions == | == Descriptions == | ||
| − | The operating system is an essential component of the system software in a computer system. | + | The operating system is an essential component of the [[system software]] in a [[computer system]]. |
[[Application software|Application programs]] usually require an operating system to function. | [[Application software|Application programs]] usually require an operating system to function. | ||
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[[Time-sharing]] operating systems schedule tasks for efficient use of the system and may also include accounting software for cost allocation of processor time, mass storage, printing, and other resources. | [[Time-sharing]] operating systems schedule tasks for efficient use of the system and may also include accounting software for cost allocation of processor time, mass storage, printing, and other resources. | ||
| − | For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware, although the application code is usually executed directly by the hardware and frequently makes system calls to an OS function or be interrupted by it. | + | For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary between programs and the [[computer hardware]], although the application code is usually executed directly by the hardware and frequently makes system calls to an OS function or be interrupted by it. |
Operating systems are found on many devices that contain a computer — from cellular phones and video game consoles to [[Web server|web servers]] and supercomputers. | Operating systems are found on many devices that contain a computer — from cellular phones and video game consoles to [[Web server|web servers]] and supercomputers. | ||
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system Operating system] @ Wikipedia | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system Operating system] @ Wikipedia | ||
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| + | [[Category:Computer programs]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Computer science]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Operating systems]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Software]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:12, 25 April 2016
An operating system (OS) is software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs.
Descriptions
The operating system is an essential component of the system software in a computer system.
Application programs usually require an operating system to function.
Time-sharing operating systems schedule tasks for efficient use of the system and may also include accounting software for cost allocation of processor time, mass storage, printing, and other resources.
For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware, although the application code is usually executed directly by the hardware and frequently makes system calls to an OS function or be interrupted by it.
Operating systems are found on many devices that contain a computer — from cellular phones and video game consoles to web servers and supercomputers.
Security
See:
See also
- Berkeley Software Distribution
- Computer
- Computer hardware
- Computer security
- Directory service
- Internet security
- Linux
- Microsoft Windows
- Mobile operating system
- OS X
- Software
- Process (computing)
- Security
- Shell (computing)
- Time-sharing
- Unix
- Unix-like
- Web security
External links
- Operating system @ Wikipedia
