Operating System

E.g Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Linux, Mac OS, iOS, iPad OS, Android…

The Operating System (usually called the “OS”) sounds like a bit of a complex one, but it isn’t really too bad if you break it up into 4 chunks.

  1. The first chunk is the hardware. You need the actual screen and the actual computer tower or tablet or phone or whatever, with all the techie insides in it.
  2. Secondly, you need the Operating System, which is the program that makes you able to use your computer, tablet or smartphone.
  3. Third, you have the applications, which are programs or apps like Microsoft office suite, Skype, Edge, etc.
  4. Last but not least, the user, which is you! You tell the mouse where to point or touch the screen, and you press the keys on the keyboard.

The OS is basically the big program that you need on your computer, tablet or smartphone, to be able to use it. The OS is what creates the folders where you store your documents, or your pictures, and gives you the ability to browse through your files, and make changes if you want to.

To put it another way, it’s the big important software bit that “talks” to the hardware bit, once you tell it what to do.

I hope that one isn’t too mind boggling!