What is a kernel?
Q: What is a kernel?
A: A kernel is the central part of an operating system that manages the operations of the computer and the hardware, primarily memory and CPU time.
Q: What services do kernels provide?
A: Kernels provide services through system calls which programs can utilize.
Q: How many types of kernels are there?
A: There are five types of kernels: micro kernel, monolithic kernel, hybrid kernel, exokernel, and nanokernel.
Q: What is a micro kernel?
A: A micro kernel is a kernel that only contains basic functionality.
Q: What is a monolithic kernel?
A: A monolithic kernel is a kernel containing many device drivers. The Linux kernel is an example of a monolithic kernel.
Q: What is a hybrid kernel?
A: A hybrid kernel is a kernel that combines aspects of micro kernels and monolithic kernels. The Microsoft Windows NT kernel is an example of a hybrid kernel.
Q: Can typical computer users directly interact with the kernel?
A: No, typical computer users cannot directly interact with the kernel. It runs in the background and cannot be seen except for text logs.
