The operating system is a piece of software that controls all the hardware components in computers. It splits the time each program needs to run on the CPU. It also allocates disk space and protects data from unauthorised access. It also provides an interface between hardware and application programs. This lets the software communicate with a variety of hardware devices such as printers, Wi-Fi adapters, and hard disk drives.
A OS also allows multiple software processes to run concurrently on a single processor. This is referred to as multitasking. It also permits the user to interact with the computer through the use of a GUI (graphical) or command-line interface. The operating system may be an individual program that runs in memory, or a set of libraries and programs that reside on the hard drive and are loaded into memory when needed.
Other crucial functions of operating systems include error detection. The system constantly monitors all inputs and outputs in order to identify mistakes and prevent them from causing further problems. It is also responsible for the management of network connections as well as establishing security protocols to protect against unauthorized access.
The OS also records driver drivers in a standard format that allows for easy identification. It also installs and configures new drivers if hardware is replaced. The OS can translate high-level programs into machine code with an interpreter and loader. It can even move data from a disc if it detects bad sectors.
