November 26th, 2008 | 
Author: Windows, Linux or Mac OS X are operating systems. They are the backbone of a computer system managing the computer hardware and software. It controls the computer after the BIOS has been loaded by loading drivers to support the hardware and software programs that run on the hardware.
The kind of operating system a computer uses is dependent on what kind of computer it is and what it is going to be used for. Most computers come pre-loaded with the operating system when you purchase them. Personal computers usually come pre-loaded with Windows, Apple computers usually are pre-loaded with the Macintosh operating system and servers use such operating systems as Linux and UNIX however there are hundreds of operating systems available if you have specific needs for them.
Not only computers make use of operating systems. They come in many electronic devices like cell phones, video game consoles and even in high tech fridges and coffee machines.
The operating system has control over all the functions of the computer and manages how software programs work and their communication and interactions with each other. The operating system is responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly during the operation of your computer and that the programs that are running do not interfere with each other.
So called drivers are used so that the operating system can interact and work with the computer’s hardware such as the video card or computer memory.
The operating system provides the software programs with hardware information which means that the applications do not have to add their own routines to work with the hardware. The operating system manages all hardware of a computer system.
The operating system is the core component. It recognizes input from computer hardware or software and sends the requests to software or hardware that is running or connected to the computer. It is basically moving data from one piece to another on the computer. Moving the computer mouse sends the information about the speed and direction to the operating system which transfers the information to the video card which outputs the result on the computer monitor.
Operating systems make use of user groups and users. This is being used to give users access to specific parts of the operating system. It can also prevent certain users and user groups from accessing parts of the operating system, software or hardware.
Martin reports regularly about the soon to be released Windows operating system Windows 7. You can find more information about the Windows operating system like the one about Windows 7 Wallpapers at his site.
Article Source: What Is An Operating System
