What is Kernel in OS ?
In an operating system, a kernel is a fundamental component that acts as a bridge between the hardware and software layers. It is responsible for managing the system's resources and providing essential services to the software running on the computer.
The kernel performs various critical functions, including:
Process Management: It manages the execution of processes or tasks, allocating system resources such as CPU time, memory, and input/output devices.
Memory Management: The kernel handles memory allocation and deallocation, ensuring efficient memory utilization among multiple processes and managing virtual memory.
Device Drivers: It provides device drivers to facilitate communication between the operating system and hardware devices such as printers, disk drives, network interfaces, etc.
File System Management: The kernel manages file systems, including organizing and providing access to files and directories on storage devices.
System Calls: The kernel offers an interface for applications to request services from the operating system through system calls. These system calls allow processes to perform privileged operations, such as reading from or writing to files.
Security and Protection: The kernel enforces security measures, such as user authentication, access control, and isolation between processes, to ensure system integrity and protect against unauthorized access.
The kernel plays a crucial role in the overall functioning and stability of an operating system. It operates in a privileged mode, controlling and coordinating system operations while providing an abstraction layer for software applications to interact with the hardware effectively.
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