Glossary Entry: Operating System
Definition
An operating system is the software layer that works as a middleman between the computer's hardware and the programs you run - in other words, it's the underlying software that operates the system.
Today, there are three major operating system families - Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. Each of these operating systems provides basic services in their own way, so programs designed for one operating system family cannot be run on operating systems from another family without some form of third party support.
Today, there are three major operating system families - Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. Each of these operating systems provides basic services in their own way, so programs designed for one operating system family cannot be run on operating systems from another family without some form of third party support.
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