Introduction
The kernel is the heart of the operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing essential services to other software applications.
It's the foundation upon which everything else runs.
Core Components
Key components include:
- Process Management: Creates, schedules, and terminates processes.
- Memory Management: Allocates and deallocates memory to processes.
- Device Management: Handles communication with hardware devices.
- Thread Management: Controls the execution of threads within processes.
- System Calls: Provides an interface for applications to request services from the kernel.
The Kernel Entry Point
The kernel typically starts with a entry point that handles initial setup and process creation.
Example (Conceptual):
While the exact implementation is complex, consider this simplified illustration:
Further Resources
For a deeper dive, consult the official Microsoft documentation: Windows Architecture