An operating system (OS) is a set of software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for application software. The operating system is a crucial component of the system software in a computer system. Application programs usually require an operating system to function.
The operating system performs basic tasks, such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing system requests, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files. It also provides a user interface (UI) for interaction with the computer.
Some common operating systems include Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.