What is an Operating System

Operating System

About Operating System

What is an Operating System

An operating system is a software programme required to manage and operate a computing device like smartphones, tablets, computers, supercomputers, web servers, cars, network towers, smartwatches, etc. It is the operating system that eliminates the need to know coding language to interact with computing devices. It is a layer of graphical user interface (GUI), which acts as a platform between the user and the computer hardware. Moreover, the operating system manages the software side of a computer and controls programs execution.
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Here are some of the functions of an operating system:
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Memory management
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Memory is a crucial hardware resource for any computing device. It is the memory that keeps the program running or stay active when not in use. Here, it is the operating system that directs memory resources to different computer programmes and handles memory management for uninterrupted experience.
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Processor management
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If processor is the heart of computer, operating system is the brain. The operating system decides which process gets the processor resources when and for how much time. Moreover, it is the operating system that optimises processor for efficient performance.
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Device management
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Computer is a set of hardware and software resources. The operating system manages these resources so everything works without conflict. For this, a computer requires drivers so that the software communicate to hardware efficiently through operating system. It is the operating system, however, that manages device management.
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In consumer PC segment, Microsoft Windows leads the computer operating system in June 2020 with a market share of around 77.21 per cent. It is followed by macOS by Apple Inc. in the second place with 16.97 per cent market share, and the varieties of Linux are collectively in third place with 1.84 per cent market share – according to Statcounter. In smartphone segment, Google Android leads the chart with more than 70 per cent market share, followed by Apple iOS with around 24 per cent market share – according to Statista.
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Latest Updates on Operating System

Phone 2a: Nothing rolls out update to improve performance, imaging and more

2 min read Last Updated :Mar 19 2024 | 1:15 PM IST
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iOS 17.4: Apple iPhones get feature-packed update with new emojis and more

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HyperOS set to arrive on these Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco devices in Q1, 2024

2 min read Last Updated :Dec 19 2023 | 11:54 AM IST
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OnePlus rolls out OxygenOS 14 update for OnePlus 11 users in India: Details

2 min read Last Updated :Nov 16 2023 | 5:00 PM IST
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SaaS major Zoho sees strong traction for its collaboration platform Cliq

3 min read Last Updated :Oct 09 2023 | 4:13 PM IST
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OnePlus announces Android 14-based OxygenOS 14: What's new, rollout details

2 min read Last Updated :Sep 26 2023 | 12:16 PM IST
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iOS 17 set to roll out today: Compatible iPhones, how-to install, and more

3 min read Last Updated :Sep 18 2023 | 2:12 PM IST
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Nothing Phone (2) software update brings new features, widget, and more

2 min read Last Updated :Sep 12 2023 | 1:09 PM IST
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China releases its first open-source computer operating system OpenKylin

1 min read Last Updated :Jul 06 2023 | 2:30 PM IST
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Why artificial intelligence could spell the end of OS as we know it

5 min read Last Updated :Apr 20 2023 | 10:27 AM IST
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Microsoft's new feature to let users set default apps in Windows 11

2 min read Last Updated :Mar 19 2023 | 1:17 PM IST
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Rajeev Chandrasekhar denies reports of mandatory lab testing of OS updates

2 min read Last Updated :Mar 15 2023 | 10:13 AM IST
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Tech giant Microsoft working to launch new version of Teams next month

1 min read Last Updated :Feb 21 2023 | 11:23 AM IST
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Volume IconTMS Ep356: Google unbundling, Indian start-ups, PSU, capex stocks, BharOS

2 min read Last Updated :Jan 27 2023 | 8:00 AM IST
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Microsoft working on File Explorer update with UI improvement on Windows 11

2 min read Last Updated :Jan 26 2023 | 12:59 PM IST
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BharOS opens doors for OEMs, companies; already in talks with 8 entities

3 min read Last Updated :Jan 26 2023 | 11:06 PM IST
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BharOS: Know about indigenous OS successfully tested by union ministers

3 min read Last Updated :Jan 25 2023 | 10:25 AM IST
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Union ministers test 'BharOS' operating system developed by IIT-Madras

1 min read Last Updated :Jan 25 2023 | 8:46 AM IST
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BharOS: Everything about India's indigenous mobile operating system

2 min read Last Updated :Jan 20 2023 | 3:32 PM IST
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Tech-tonic shift: Govt looks to take on iOS, Android with Indian OS

5 min read Last Updated :Jan 15 2023 | 11:53 PM IST
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