Operating system

In computing, an operating system (OS) is system software that controls computer hardware and software resources, as well as providing common functions for computer-based applications.

Schedule tasks to make the most of the available system resources. Time-sharing operating systems may also contain accounting software to allocate costs for processing time, mass storage, printing and other system resources, among other functions.

Although application code is typically executed directly by the hardware, the operating system frequently makes system calls to OS functions or is interrupted by them, the operating system serves as an intermediary between programmes and computer hardware for hardware functions such as input, output, and memory allocation, among others. From cellular phones and video game consoles to web servers and supercomputers and everything in between, operating systems may be found on a wide variety of devices that include computer hardware.