1. Introduction

A computer is made up of many parts. You have the hardware e.g. monitor, keyboard and mouse and you have the software e.g. word processor, spreadsheet and database.

However, the software and the hardware can't work together without something to act as an 'in-between'.

The task of co-ordinating all of the software and hardware is given to the Operating System.

Read through the next few pages by using the menu on the left hand side. When you think you understand it all, have a go some of the quizzes about Operating Systems.