An operating system is a technology platform that provides the essential functions needed to use hardware. This system software manages the application software and software programs on a computer or mobile device.

Operating systems are the lowest level of technology platforms. Every software runs on an operating system except embedded systems and low-level firmware.

There are different types of operating systems based on their specific purposes. For example, a time-sharing operating system assists in scheduling tasks.

An operating system serves as an efficient intermediary between the computer hardware and programs for hardware functions, including input, output, and memory allocation.

Your mobile phones, video game consoles, personal computers, and supercomputers use an operating system.

The operating system can either come pre-installed on a system or run directly from media such as a CD or flash memory.