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What is a kernel?

Updated: 12/16/2022
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14y ago

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The central module of an operating system. It is the part of the operating system that loads first, and it remains in main memory. Because it stays in memory, it is important for the kernel to be as small as possible while still providing all the essential services required by other parts of the operating system and applications. Typically, the kernel is responsible for memory management, process and task management, and disk management. The definition of kernel is "the portion of an OS (Operating System) that is responsible for interacting with the hardware. It is the operating system software that runs in kernel mode on the computer's processor and which provides low-level intelligence for the operating system. In other words, the kernel is the "heart" of an operating system.

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