The Kernel in an Operating System (OS) is the core component that manages system resources and hardware. It acts as a bridge between software applications and the hardware, handling tasks such as:
- Process Management: Allocates CPU time to processes.
- Memory Management: Controls and allocates system memory.
- Device Management: Manages hardware devices via drivers.
- System Security: Enforces access control and system stability.
It operates in privileged mode and is essential for the OS to function.