An operating system (OS) is a software program that acts as an intermediary between computer hardware and software applications. It manages the computer's hardware and resources, provides a user interface for interacting with the system, and facilitates the execution of programs and processes.
The operating system controls various aspects of the computer, such as memory allocation, storage management, device communication, file system operations, and security features. Common examples of operating systems include Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, each tailored for different types of devices and user requirements.