What Exactly is an Operating System?

The main goal of a computer operating system is to ensure that hardware and software operating on the system coexists in harmony and without adversely impacting each other. The operating system further ensures that when the user makes a request of his or her system, the appropriate allocations are made of the resources available and that the applications requested by the user, interacts efficiently with the necessary hardware on the system. So, much like the human brain directs the activity of the body as per our requests, the operating system directs the activities of hardware and software on the computer as per the user's requests. To operate efficiently, the operating system takes on the following management roles:

* Processor manager

* Random access memory manager

* Input/output manager

* Application execution manager

* Authorization manager

* File manager

* Information manager

As the processor manager, the operating system schedules processor usage between applications as they are requested; and, as the random access memory manager, the operating system allows each application and each user the space necessary to perform a task. As the input/output manager, the operating system directs the traffic of peripherals attached to the system; and as the application execution manager, the operating system ensures that applications open and run as expected. As the authorization manager, the operating system offers security services and ensures that only users with the appropriate rights are allowed to perform certain tasks. In the file manager role, the operating system provides additional security by allowing only users and applications with appropriate rights to read or write to a file. Finally, as the information manager, the operating system makes notes of and advises of the appropriate use of the system.

Clearly, the operating system provides absolute integral services in all areas of a computer system. And with such an important role, it is imperative that the user understand the operating system's functions. Understanding the operating system's functions, may prevent the user from unnecessarily shelling out hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars for a new system. For example, if the system slows, the user can look to the operating system to find out why. The operating system will don its information manager hat and may likely advise the user that fragmented data or a corrupt registry has occurred. Of course there are many other reasons that a system may slow and many other issues that can occur on a system. Understanding each of the operating system's roles gives the user a starting place to look to fix issues and even provides the user resources to prevent issues therefore saving the user tons of money.