What is an operating system?

The software that allows the computer hardware and software to interact and communicate is known as the operating system. It is the primary piece of software that all computers need in order to run.

Examples

MS DOS (Microsoft Disk operating system)

Microsoft's MS DOS is a single-user operating system for personal computers (PCs).

MS WINDOWS (Microsoft Windows)

Typically known as Windows, this is a Microsoft product. It is a single-user operating system, but when connected to a network, it can be utilized by numerous users. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME (Millennium Edition), Windows XP (Experience), Windows NT (New Technology), Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 are some of the other versions of Windows.

UNIX

This is a product of Sun Microsoft Systems, Silicon Graphics, and IBM (International Business Machines). It is a multi-user operating system.

Linux

This is a descendant of UNIX. Because it is an open-source operating system, anyone in the world is free to alter and distribute it.

Macintosh (Mac)

The 'Mac' was first released by Apple computers in 1984.

Summary

An operating system is when the computer interacts with the user. Examples are:

• MS DOS
• MS WINDOWS
• UNIX
• Linux
• Mac