application programs and operating system

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what is the relationship between application programs and the operating system?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

The operating system provides the foundation for applications to run and
manages the hardware. When you launch a program the OS allocates memory and
loads executable code and data there from the hard drive. It keeps track of
the instructions being executed and passes them to the CPU. A multitasking
OS also manages the interaction of programs giving each their share of
processor time and system resources. Programs use services provided by the
OS to read and write files, print, communicate, etc. The interface that
programs use to call upon these services is called an API (Applications
Program Interface).

It's an interesting question and could be given a much longer answer, but
that should give some basic idea.
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"sunshine" <sunshine@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:34D08C44-146B-4964-A37A-A703EF213C7F@microsoft.com...
> what is the relationship between application programs and the operating
> system?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Google on "operating system" and "application"

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
"sunshine" <sunshine@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:34D08C44-146B-4964-A37A-A703EF213C7F@microsoft.com...
> what is the relationship between application programs and the operating
> system?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

On Tue, 01 Feb 2005 01:40:23 +0100, Ian Hoare wrote:

> The operating system is like the sewage system in your house. It keeps
> everything running!
>
> Applications are what run in your sewage system.

I get tired of the car analogies and thought I was looking forward to
reading something different. Wasn't expecting a sewage parallel. Accurate
but the imagery stinks. ;^)

One of my favorites is the house analogy. Simple version:
Hardware = foundation
Operating system = house structure built on the foundation
Applications = individual rooms dedicated to specific purposes

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

On Tue, 1 Feb 2005 13:24:57 -0500, Mike Hall wrote:

> Sharon
>
> Most men can understand a car analogy better than anything connected to
> house building regulations..

Point taken.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Salut/Hi Sharon F,

le/on Tue, 1 Feb 2005 08:44:18 -0600, tu disais/you said:-

>> The operating system is like the sewage system in your house. It keeps
>> everything running!

>I get tired of the car analogies and thought I was looking forward to
>reading something different. Wasn't expecting a sewage parallel. Accurate
>but the imagery stinks. ;^)

Well, I have to say that what I like about it is that it is somewhat of an
antidote to the pressure to get the lastest and greatest new operating
system. I have to admit that I have the greatest reluctance to EVER getting
Mk 1 of any software, and especially an O.S. So when XP got to SP2 I reckon
they'd probably have got the worst bugs ironed out and it was becoming
increasingly hard to get Win 98 optimised software.

>One of my favorites is the house analogy.


Not bad at all either. Equally demystifying.

--
All the Best
Ian Hoare
http://www.souvigne.com
mailbox full to avoid spam. try me at website