Operating systems are the software that runs in the background of computers. They manage hardware components such as memory keyboards, file-systems, file-systems printers and monitors. It also manages access to the central processing unit or CPU.

An OS allows multiple programs to be running at once, a concept known as multitasking. This is because the OS allocates resources from the system to the program, including memory space and CPU, during execution. It keeps track of the amount of memory and CPU time a program consumes, and ensures it does not interfere myopendatablog.com with other applications that use the same resources.

Operating systems also monitor the location and status of files on the computer’s hard drives. They create virtual directories and save metadata, such as the date of creation or modification. Drivers allow applications to easily connect to the hardware of computers. These drivers translate the proprietary language of the hardware into a standard the operating system can comprehend.

When an application must save the file, it connects to the operating system kernel. This is because the program isn’t able to directly access the disk drive, which requires a driver in order to communicate with it. The operating system then creates and translates the file request into a logic operation, and the hardware is utilized in accordance with the instructions.