The basic program on any computer that runs the underlying system and hardware. An operating system enables a computer to work. Some operating systems (such as Windows NT and Windows 2000) can be network operating systems as well.
Operating system is the most important system control software, it refers to a complex set of software modules that manage the overall operations of a computer. It is a master control program that acts as a manager, a housekeeper, and a traffic cop for the computer system. Depending on the type of computer (mainframe, personal computer, and so on), the operating system performs a number of functions, such as allocating resources for running different software programs, tracking the use of different computer resources, ensuring optimal utilization of various resources, and acting as an interface between the user and the computer. Application programs, such as word processors and spreadsheets, run under the supervision of the operating system.
An operating system loads programs, performs and manages input/output operations, manages files, monitors and manages the use of computer memory. It loads programs to be executed into primary memory and sends a message to the user when the execution is completed.
The operating system also manages hard-disk storage so the users can create, execute, save, and retrieve various applications. Hard-disk storage management is an important consideration in ensuring the efficient utilization of computer memory.