An operating system is the software that runs in the background of a computer, managing a host of hardware components like memory as well as file systems and input/output devices such as keyboards, monitors, printers, and modems. It also controls access to the central processing unit or CPU.
Multitasking is a method of operation that allows multiple programs to run concurrently on an OS. This is because the OS allocates system resources to programs, like memory space and CPU when it is in execution. It monitors how much memory and CPU time a program consumes, and ensures it does not interfere with other applications that are using the same resources.
Operating systems keep track of the location of files and the state of their files on the computer’s disk. They create virtual directories and save metadata, like the date of creation or modification. Drivers allow an application to quickly connect to the hardware of computers. These drivers translate the proprietary language of the hardware into a standard language that an operating system can recognize.
When an application wishes to save a document it switches to the kernel of the operating system. This is due to the fact that the application cannot directly access the drive and requires an operating system driver to connect with it. The operating system then creates and transforms the file request into logic operation, and the hardware is utilized according to the instructions.
