How does an operating system manage hardware resources?

An operating system (OS) manages hardware resources primarily by allocating them to applications. This process involves deciding which resources (like CPU time, memory, disk space, and input/output devices) are assigned to which applications and ensuring that these resources are used efficiently and effectively.

When an application is executed, the operating system keeps track of the application's resource requirements and helps to optimize their usage. It does this by enabling multitasking, where multiple applications can run simultaneously without interfering with one another, as well as managing priority levels for various processes to ensure that critical tasks receive the necessary resources when needed.

This resource allocation is a fundamental aspect of an OS's role, as it abstracts the complexities of the hardware from the applications so that developers don't need to handle these details directly. The OS acts as an intermediary, allowing applications to utilize hardware resources without needing to understand the underlying complexities of the hardware itself. Thus, the allocation of hardware resources is a critical function of an operating system that facilitates efficient computing.