Difference between revisions of "Operating system"
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== Structure == | == Structure == | ||
An operating system is defined into a few basic parts: | An operating system is defined into a few basic parts: | ||
| − | * The '''[[BIOS]]''', which handles all hardware related things. Often a computer has a BIOS integrated within its hardware, though some operating systems such as [[Linux]] are independent of this BIOS. | + | * The '''[[BIOS]]''', which handles all hardware related things. Often a computer has a BIOS integrated within its hardware, though some operating systems such as [[Linux]] are independent of this BIOS.<ref>http://www.linux.com/base/ldp/howto/Linux-Init-HOWTO-5.html</ref> |
* The '''[[Kernel]]''', which handles all software related things and acts as a interpreter between applications and the hardware. | * The '''[[Kernel]]''', which handles all software related things and acts as a interpreter between applications and the hardware. | ||
* User Interface - Software that draws forms, toolbars, menus, main task bar, etc. | * User Interface - Software that draws forms, toolbars, menus, main task bar, etc. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| + | {{Reflist}} | ||
*[http://computer.howstuffworks.com/operating-system.htm Howstuffworks article on Operating Systems] | *[http://computer.howstuffworks.com/operating-system.htm Howstuffworks article on Operating Systems] | ||
[[Category:Technology]] | [[Category:Technology]] | ||
Revision as of 08:31, February 16, 2009
An operating system is a set of basic software that allows computers to perform basic tasks for people. It is responsible for displaying the graphics on screen and outputting sound to the speakers, controlling input from the mouse and keyboard, allowing hardware to work properly, interfacing with other computers on a network, and storing and retrieving data. The most common operating systems today are Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X, and Linux/BSD.
Structure
An operating system is defined into a few basic parts:
- The BIOS, which handles all hardware related things. Often a computer has a BIOS integrated within its hardware, though some operating systems such as Linux are independent of this BIOS.[1]
- The Kernel, which handles all software related things and acts as a interpreter between applications and the hardware.
- User Interface - Software that draws forms, toolbars, menus, main task bar, etc.