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What is the difference between a Kernel and an operating system?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
An operating system, also known as an OS, is the software that makes a computer usable. The kernel is merely the "core" or lowest level of an operating system. The kernel provides numerous callable routines that allow other software to access files, display text and graphics, get input from a keyboard or mouse, and other such capabilities.
The operating systems that we come across today, generally have many features which are not the necessary features to make a system work. But these features are required to make the interaction with the system easier. Such features include graphical interface, file management, process management, shell, etc. These features rely on the core part of the OS (called as kernel) to run and provide interface to the user or other application programs. It is to be realized that these features are inevitable, and only a kernel alone is of no use to the user.
An operating system also includes utilities that use the kernel. For example, MS-DOS provides a program known as COMMAND.COM, which is the program that allows a human to use the operating system. Windows Explorer, the MacOS Finder, and the various UNIX shells offer similar functionality. Other OS utilities may include a file manager, a software installer, and other items that are necessary to make the computer useful (never mind some don't find computers useful in the first place :) ).
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∙ 14y ago
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What is the difference between Linux and an operating system?
Linux is an operating system kernel. It is a portion of the software that makes up a complete operating system.
What is the Linux kernel?
The Linux kernel is the central component of the GNU/Linux operating system. The kernel is the lowest level of interaction between the hardware and the operating system. Individual applications are at a higher level. The kernel along with supporting applications make up the operating system.
What is the difference between Linux and OpenOffice?
Linux is an operating system kernel. OpenOffice is an office suite (collection of office programs).
Give One difference between operating system software and applications software?
The OS makes calls to the system kernel (although sometimes the kernel is bundled with the OS). Applications make their calls to the OS, which then makes calls to the kernel.
Is Linux a operating system software?
Technically speaking linux is a kernel. The kernel is the part of the operating system that acts as a middleman/translator between the hardware and the software.
What is the core of an operating system?
The Kernel
What is the difference between unixkernal and linuxkernal?
Linux kernel is an operating system that is distributed by open source software. It is based on Unix, but has some differences, some of which are in adding and removing features of the kernel, kernel threading, application support, and monolithic kernel approach.
How does the hardware interact with operating system?
Operating System have a major component called KERNEL that is designed to interact with hardware .Kernel acts as an interface between OS Shell & Hardware.
Q Explain the difference between microkernel and macrokernel Give an example of microkernel?
Micro-Kernel: A micro-kernel is a minimal operating system that performs only the essential functions of an operating system. All other operating system functions are performed by system processes. Monolithic: A monolithic operating system is one where all operating system code is in a single executable image and all operating system code runs in system mode
What is kernel and shell and what is the difference between these two?
A kernel is the heart of the operating system and acts as a middle ground between hardware and software. Some (if not all) device drivers are kernel-level drivers as kernelmodules. A shell is a command terminal that allows the user to interact with the user.
What is the kernel of an operating system?
The kernel is the essential center of a computer operating system the core that provides basic services for all other parts of the operating system. A kernel is designed to be a central core to the operating system - the logic that manages the resources that the hardware has to offer.
What is the difference between windows and unix kernels?
A kernel is a generic term to represent the core or base of an operating system. Since the operating systems mentioned here are very different, so are the kernels. They are written differently with different goals in mind. Having said that, no matter what kernel or operating system you are talking about a kernel program shares the same goals no matter what the vendor is. A kernel has to be able to handle booting the system, running tasks, managing resources, and other tasks as required by an operating system. The kernel is also the resident part of the operating system; it never gets swapped out of memory. Since its function is so important it has to be memory resident all the time.
