Operating System (OS)

An Operating system provides the software platform which directs the overall activity of a computer, network or system, and on which all other software programs and applications can run. In many ways, choice of an operating system will effect which applications can be run. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disc and controlling peripheral devices such as disc drives and printers. For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers – becoming a traffic cop to makes sure different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other..”