An operating system is the software on a computer that manages the way different programs use its hardware, and regulates the ways that a user controls the computer. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible for everything from the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. They also manage files on computer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners. Some popular modern operating systems for
