I will explain how an operating system manages hardware, software, and user interactions inside a computer system.
I can describe at least three main functions of an operating system and give examples of common OS types used in personal, mobile, and enterprise environments.
Without an operating system, computers can’t communicate with humans or run applications.
Learning how the OS controls hardware and software prepares you for troubleshooting, configuration, and certification exams — the core of IT work.
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System (OS) | Software that manages hardware, software, and user input/output | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, ChromeOS |
| User Interface (UI) | How users interact with the computer — can be graphical (GUI) or command line (CLI) | Desktop icons, Start Menu, Terminal |
| Driver | Software that allows the OS to communicate with hardware components | Printer driver, GPU driver |
| Kernel | Core part of the OS that manages memory, CPU, and processes | The “brain” behind your OS |
| File System | Organizational structure for storing and retrieving data | FAT32, NTFS, ext4 |
| Process Management | The OS controlling what runs and when | Task Manager showing apps and background services |
“Imagine your computer just got a brand-new piece of hardware (like a new mouse or webcam). What needs to happen before it works?”
Write your guess. What role might software play in making that hardware usable?
Visual Demo: