The Role of the Kernel
The kernel is the master executable of the system. It’s the first thing that is executed from the boot blocks when you power on the system, and it constantly runs throughout the machine’s uptime. Its job is to oversee all the processes running on the system, handle TCP/IP and other networking duties, manage access to all the devices on the system, and control memory usage—to name just a few hats it wears.
Every operating system since the beginning of computing has had a kernel. Whether it’s an ancient and rudimentary platform like the Apple ][ or a 286-based PC running MS-DOS, a desktop operating system like Mac OS X or Windows XP, or a high-end multiprocessor mainframe, there’s always a kernel handling all the heavy lifting ...
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