> An operating system (sometimes abbreviated as "OS") is the program
> that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot
> program, manages all the other programs in a computer. The other
> programs are called applications or application programs. The
> application programs make use of the operating system by making
> requests for services through a defined application program interface
> (API). In addition, users can interact directly with the operating
> system through a user interface such as a command language or a
> graphical user interface (GUI).
I'm not trying to split hairs with you, but I believe that this
definition is trying to describe an "operating system" like DOS.
I would find it hard to call "init" an "application" that users
interact with. It isn't part of the kernel, but it's definitely an
integral part of the operating system. In the VMS world, DCL is part
of the OS (and don't try to tell DEC, I mean Compaq, I mean HP any
different).
When I think about an operating system, I'm thinking about that base
level of functionality required to make the system usable. Note that
doesn't include, e.g., X, KDE, Gnome, Apache, etc. It does include the
contents of /bin, /sbin, /lib, /usr/bin, /usr/sbin, and /usr/lib.
-jan-
--
Jan L. Peterson
Peterson Technologies
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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