Operating systems are the software that runs in the background of a computer. They manage hardware components like memory keyboards, file systems, keyboards monitors and printers. It also manages access to the central processing unit or CPU.

An OS allows multiple programs to be running simultaneously, a practice known as multitasking. This is because the OS allots system resources to the program, for instance memory space and CPU when it is in execution. It monitors how much memory and CPU time a program consumes, and ensures it does not interfere with other programs that are using the same resources.

Operating systems also track the locations and status of the files on the hard drives of the computer. They create a virtual directory structure and store the location of each file along with other metadata, like the our website date it was created or modified. An OS also makes it possible for an application to connect with the hardware of the computer through drivers. These drivers convert the proprietary language of the hardware into a standard the operating system understands.

When an application wants to save a document it is switched to the kernel of the operating system. This is because the application cannot directly connect to the disk drive, and therefore requires an interface driver to communicate with it. The operating system generates a logical request and then translate it. Hardware is used according to the instructions.