Context

Explore the basics of operating systems and the core features that power your computer.

Talk about the invisible layer that ties it all together: the operating system, or OS.

Starting hypothesis

• Understand what an operating system is and the role it plays
• Explain the core duties of an operating system
• Identify common OS types and their typical use cases
• Practice interacting with an OS to gather system information

Method / Used Tools

Operating System (OS)

Context

An Operating System (OS) is the fundamental software layer that controls everything happening on a computer. It serves as an intermediary between the user, the applications, and the hardware, ensuring that all components interact correctly and efficiently.

Rather than allowing applications to directly access hardware resources such as the CPU, memory, or storage, the OS coordinates and regulates these interactions. This central coordination allows the machine to function as a unified and stable system.

Conceptual View (Layered Model)

A computer system can be understood as a layered structure:

• Hardware (CPU, RAM, storage, peripheral devices)
• Operating System
• Applications
• User