Operating system

The software program which provides the environment in which applications programs can be used. The operating system controls the operations of handling: input, output, interrupts, storage and file management.

OPERATING SYSTEM the software program which provides the environment in which application programs can be used. The operating system controls the operations of handling: input, output, interrupts, storage and file management.In computing, a program that controls the basic operation of a computer. A typical OS controls the peripheral devices, organises the filing system, provides a means of communicating with the operator, and runs other programs.
Some operating systems were written for specific computers, but some are accepted standards. These include CP/M (by Digital Research) and MS-DOS (by Microsoft) for microcomputers. Unix (developed at AT&T's Bell Laboratories) is the standard on workstations, minicomputers, and supercomputers; it is alsoused on desktop PCs and mainframes. Windows 98 is now considered an operating system although windows was developed as a graphical user interface GUI to assist people use DOS. Dos is now integrated into windows to such a degree that windows is now classed as the operating system. Even so access can be made by opening a DOS window should the user need to access DOS.
In Nov 1994 IBM, Apple, and Motorola announced a joint venture to produce a 'common reference platform' personal computer, capable of running virtually all existing operating systems.

Application Software

In computing, a program or job designed for the benefit of the end user, such as a payroll system or a word processor. The term is used to distinguish such programs from those that control the computer (systems programs) or assist the programmer, such as a compiler.There is a vast amount of application software and it is easier to sub-categorise it:
productivity this covers such software as spreadsheets, word processor, database, e-mail, graphics, desktop publishing and scheduling software
business this can be sub categorised into horizontal market software, such as accounting and payroll applications which can be used by a range of business organisations; or, vertical market software such as costing/estimating software designed for specific industries.
education software designed to train individuals under the control of a tutor or self teaching packages. CBT (computer based training) and tutorials are examples in this area.
reference electronic encyclopaedias
entertainment