What is an Operating System?

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The operating system is the program that manages the underlying hardware within the computer. It allocates the amount of time each application gets to utilize the CPU and allocates disk storage space, and protects the data from unauthorized access. It also provides an interfacing between the hardware and applications programs. This allows the software easily to work with a variety of hardware devices, including printers, WiFi adapters, and disk drives.

A OS also allows multiple software processes running simultaneously on one processor. This is known as multitasking. It also allows users to interact with the computer through a GUI (graphical) or command-line interface. The operating system could be a standalone application that runs in memory or a collection programs and libraries on the hard drive that are loaded into memory when required.

Error detection is a crucial aspect of operating systems. The system continuously monitors input and output in order to detect errors and prevent the occurrence of further issues. It also is responsible for managing network connections and for establishing security protocols to protect against access by unauthorized persons.

The OS also stores drivers of devices in a standard file format to make identification easier. It also installs and configures new drivers whenever hardware is replaced. The OS can translate high-level programs into machine code using a compiler and a loader. It can even relocate the data on a disk if it detects an infected sector.