How Does an Operating System Manage Computer Hardware and Software?

When a student accesses an online learning platform, the operating system coordinates network communication between the browser and the network adapter. It also supports network configuration and security controls.

These functions help applications communicate without requiring each program to manage network hardware independently.

How Does an Operating System Manage Software?

In addition to controlling hardware, an operating system provides services that applications need to run. It helps launch programs, manage their execution, organize information, and protect resources.

1. Application Execution

When a user opens an application, the operating system loads the required executable code and prepares the program to run. This process may involve allocating memory, loading libraries, establishing permissions, and creating the necessary execution environment.

Applications use system calls or operating-system APIs to request services such as file access, memory allocation, network communication, and process creation.

For example, a word processor relies on operating-system services to open a document, display text, save changes, and communicate with a printer.

These standardized services make software development easier and allow applications to work across supported hardware configurations.

2. Process and Thread Management

A process is a running instance of a program. A process may contain one or more threads, which are units of execution that the operating system schedules.

The OS creates and manages processes, tracks their states, allocates resources, and coordinates their execution. It can start, suspend, resume, and terminate processes according to system requirements.