An operating system (OS) is the software that controls computer hardware. It provides a logical interface between the users and the hardware, which is essential for executing programs in a coordinated manner. It also provides basic functionality like memory management, file management and resource allocation.

The OS is a central component of a computer system and it can be found on most modern devices that are used to access the Internet. Examples of such devices include computers, laptops, mobile phones and tablets. The OS helps manage the hardware, which can consist of a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processor unit (GPU) and storage device as well as input and output devices such as keyboards, monitors and USB ports.

In addition, it enables the user to interact with the hardware using a graphic or command line interface. It also enables multitasking and provides tools for error detection and recovery.

Another function of the OS is to handle a variety of input and output devices such as printers, scanners, video cards, mice, and displays. In order to do this, it uses a library of drivers that allow it to tailor OS functions to the specific hardware environment.

Moreover, the OS can utilize a wide range of procedures to help with managing the available resources and synchronizing processes in the CPU. This includes scheduling, first-in-first-out, round robin, priority paging and more. Operating systems