The operating system is the "personality" of a computer. The first computers did not have operating systems, but this did not last long. An understanding of the internal structures and processes of the operating system is needed to effectively implement, program for, and use modern operating systems.
| Notes (Dietel, et al) | Operating Systems by Harvey M. M. Deitel, Paul J. Deitel, David R. Choffnes |
| Notes (Crowley) | Operating Systems: A Design-Oriented Approach by: Charles Crowley |
| Glossary |