Operating System - An IT Definition From Webopedia.com. Operating System. The operating system (OS) is the foundation of your computer’s software. Everything that runs on the computer is based on this in one form or another and it’s stability and functionality will determine what you can get out of the computer. Currently there are three main options: Windows, Linux, and Apple’s OS X. They may serve the same purpose, but they are too firmly established to say that one is better than the others.
Each has their own strengths and weaknesses and each will have unique appeal to different buyers. As important as this decision is, it is largely a moot issue because the vast majority of consumer desktops sold run Windows. As of October 22, 2009 the current version is Windows 7, and it’s a highly regarded update to the previous Windows Vista. Apple’s OS X (current version “Snow Leopard”) is also an excellent OS and it’s generally seen as a great choice for most home users, ranging from the casual buyers to computer professionals.
Computer Basics: Understanding Operating Systems - Lesson 2. What is an operating system? Watch the video (2:13). An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory, processes, and all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless. Watch the video to learn about operating systems. The operating system's job Your computer's operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Types of operating systems Operating systems usually come preloaded on any computer you buy. The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.
The Windows, OS X, and Linux logos Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). The Windows GUI The OS X GUI. How Operating Systems Work" When you turn on your computer, it's nice to think that you're in control. There's the trusty computer mouse, which you can move anywhere on the screen, summoning up your music library or Internet browser at the slightest whim.
Although it's easy to feel like a director in front of your desktop or laptop, there's a lot going on inside, and the real man behind the curtain handling the necessary tasks is the operating system. Most desktop or laptop PCs come pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows. Macintosh computers come pre-loaded with Mac OS X. Many corporate servers use the Linux or UNIX operating systems. The operating system (OS) is the first thing loaded onto the computer -- without the operating system, a computer is useless. More recently, operating systems have started to pop up in smaller computers as well.
The purpose of an operating system is to organize and control hardware and software so that the device it lives in behaves in a flexible but predictable way.