What is the operating system

New computer users usually have a lot of questions, which need answers in the most understandable and accessible form. One of them is the following: "What is the operating system?". Let's figure it out.

What is the operating system and what is its purpose?

It is a specialized shell designed to manage a computer, run programs, provide effective protection of data stored on the computer, perform a variety of service functions on requests from programs and users. The operating system services are used by any program, therefore the work can be carried out exclusively under the control of a certain OS. Only when this condition is fulfilled can you count on the well-coordinated operation of the computer.

Required parts included in the operating system are:

- the kernel, which is a command interpreter, that is, a kind of translator that transfers requests from users or programs into a form that is understandable to the physical components of the computer;

- specialized software components, focused on the management of various devices that are included in the computer, they are usually called drivers;

- user interface, that is, a convenient shell, through which basic communication is carried out.

What is the operating system and what is included in it?

OS is a complex, formed from interrelated programs, which is designed to organize convenient user-computer interaction, as well as for execution of other programs. It is important to understand that the installation of the second operating system is possible only on another logical drive, since each of them has its own modules and components. You can consider the structure of the OS, which consists of quite specific components and modules:

- the core of the system or the base module is designed to control the operation of the program and file system, providing easy access to it, as well as file exchange between peripheral devices;

- The command processor is created for decryption and execution of user commands, which are usually received through the keyboard;

- drivers for peripherals are designed to ensure the consistency of the operation of devices and the processor, they are necessary because each of the peripheral devices processes information in different ways and at different speeds;

- utilities that are additional service programs that make the process of user communication with the computer versatile and most convenient.

If with the fact that such an operating system is more or less clear, then you can consider the issues associated with its download. The files included in the OS are stored on the disk. It is known that for the execution of programs they must be in RAM. For starters, the boot program must be executed, initially absent from the main memory. And here there is an exit - OS is gradually loaded into RAM.

The first segment of the system is loaded from a permanent storage device, where all PC power supply testing programs are located. They are executed instantly after the arrival of the first current pulses. At the same time, the boot sector starts on the initial sector of the disk, taking control of itself. This application looks for the base OS module, and then transfers control to it. The loader from the base module retrieves all other components and loads them into RAM. When the OS is loaded, the control is handed to the command processor, after which the user can interact with the system. Mobile operating systems operate on a similar principle, however, with some modifications related to the peculiarities of the devices.

This principle extends absolutely to all modern operating systems.