Computer Software — Information Technology STD 9 — Question

It is a program that acts as an interface between the user and the hardware (i.e. for all computer resources). An operating system is an important component of a computer system, which controls and co-ordinates all other components of it. It activates all devices that makes them ready for work. It also performs all internal management functions and ensures systematic functioning of a computer system.
The operating system performs the following functions:

• It recognises input from keyboard and sends output to the display screen.
• It makes sure that the programs running simultaneously do not interfere with each other.
• It is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorised users cannot access the system e.g. MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Vista etc.