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An operating system is software that is required in order to manage and execute programs and data. It also allows hardware to function by maintaining communication between the installed hardware and programs, and is found on any electronic item that houses a computer. The operating systems which usually come standard on personal computers are Mac OS X, Unix, Microsoft Windows, and Linux.  There are approximately seven types of operating systems: real-time, multi-user, single-user, single-tasking, multi-tasking, embedded, and distributed, and each type offers specific benefits based on the usage and functionality of the computer.

The first computers were only able to perform single tasks, similar to the function of a calculator. As personal computers, created by companies such as Apple and IBM, began to appear within the home in the 1980s, software companies began creating operating systems in order to run several programs at once. An operating system is a complex piece of software that allows processes to occur properly.  Its functions are to control how memory is used, as well as control how the devices which are linked to the computer perform. The operating system also manages how much memory is available, to ensure that programs can run smoothly without interruption due to lack of memory.

The user interface aspect controls the way the user can interact with the computer. Images and icons are used to allow the user to understand what needs to be done. The operating system can then interpret the message from the user and communicate that information to the computer in order to process the command correctly. Having an effective operating system is key to a smooth process on the computer.