# Is there a simple explanation for kernels/OSs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 8, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-simple-explanation-for-kernels-oss/86144 "2001-10-08T16:25:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-simple-explanation-for-kernels-oss/86144/1 "2001-10-08T16:25:53Z")
OK, let me give some quick personal background so people who attempt to answer this can decide how much they need to “talk down” to me for understanding. I understand microprocesser architecture. I have done microprocessor programming. I have also had some experience with higher level programming languages. Old Commodore 64 BASIC and most recently (as some of you have helped me!) learning Java with the intent to move onto C++ (in, oh, what feels like years away). But the computer remains a mystery to me. What exactly is an OS? Is it like a virtual processor? That is the analogy I currently have— that the OS is the go-between for the µP and the rest of the hardware. Is this correct? IF this is correct, can someone explain to me exactly what the kernel is? a cursory Google search didn’t help me understand anything about kernels if I didn’t already know what they were. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-simple-explanation-for-kernels-oss/86144/2 "2001-10-08T23:00:47Z")
Maybe this is a duplicate thread, but I think that [this](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0130313580/qid=1002581754/sr=2-1/ref=sr_8_7_1/102-9898227-8237723) is the standard book for OS studies. I doubt that it’ll be particularly dumbed down, but it is intended for teaching, not as a reference. ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-simple-explanation-for-kernels-oss/86144/3 "2001-10-08T23:04:39Z")
Seeing as how you have Java experience, I’d reccommend [this](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471365084/qid=1002582229/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/103-8724178-7217444) book, as well. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-simple-explanation-for-kernels-oss/86144/4 "2001-10-08T23:42:32Z")
You know, it never ceases to amaze me what kind of stuff is available for public consumption. Thanks guys (pricey!) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-simple-explanation-for-kernels-oss/86144/5 "2001-10-08T23:44:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by erislover \* > \*\*You know, it never ceases to amaze me what kind of stuff is available for public consumption. Thanks guys (pricey!) 🙂 \*\* A good computer book pays for itself, though. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-simple-explanation-for-kernels-oss/86144/6 "2001-10-09T03:41:19Z")
This is a duplicate thread, so I’ll close it. See the other copy, [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=91764](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=91764) bibliophage moderator GQ