ntroduction to Operating SystemsAn Operating System (OS) is a critical piece of software that manages computer hardware and software resources, providing a stable and consistent environment for programs to run. Essentially, the OS acts as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware, ensuring that hardware resources are allocated efficiently and that software applications can run smoothly without interfering with each other. Popular operating systems include Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, each tailored to different types of devices and use cases.