What is the Operating System?
It's an intermediary between users and computer hardware. It provides an environment in which a user can excute programs conveniently and efficiently. That's to say itself is a program act as an interface between users and computer hardware and control the execution of all kinds of programs.
functions of operating system:
1. Memory management
2. Processor management
3. Device management
4. File management
6. Security
7. Control over system performance
8. Error detecting aids
9. Job accounting
10. Coordination between other sofeware and users.(hard to imagine the function)