Operating system software
From The IT Law Wiki
Operating system software is a special collection of computer programs that has two primary purposes. First, operating systems provide the interface between application programs and the CPU and other hardware components. Second, operating systems load and run other programs. All operating systems include one or more command processors that allow users to type commands and perform tasks like running a program or printing a file.
Application programs make use of the capabilities that the operating system provides. For example, computer programs read and write files by using built-in capabilities of the operating system.
Operating systems include some built-in security features like user names, passwords, and permissions, to perform specific tasks, such as running certain applications or accessing specific information such as a file or a database.
Most operating systems also include a graphical user interface that enables the user to perform most tasks by clicking on-screen icons. Some examples of operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Unix, Linux, OS/390, z/OS, and Mac OS.
