What is the winodws kernal?

[bluetech]

Could somebody explain in simple terms what the windows kernal is and what it actually does? It is a word that has appeared many times and still I do not understand exactly what it is.

Thank you...

 

[PinkPig]

The most simple explanation is that it's the core of the operating system - have a good read of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_the_Windows_NT_operating_system_line

and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_(computer_science)#Windows

for some fairly detailed information.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Mr. Pig is spot on. Think of it as the software that communicates directly with your hardware. Programs talk to it and it talks to the hardware to get the job done.

 

[bluetech]

Thanks for your help guy's... it has shed a little more light onto the subject at hand.

Much appreciated!

 

[Greenlizard0]

Mr. Pig is spot on. Think of it as the software that communicates directly with your hardware. Programs talk to it and it talks to the hardware to get the job done.

Would that not be what drivers do though?

Or do drivers tell in what way windows can talk to the hardware?

 

[Scoobie Dave]

I thought the kernal was something to do with KFC's secret recipe!

 

[BillytheImpaler]

I'll let the image do the talking:

Device drivers are loaded into kernel-mode so they are integrated with the bits of the kernel that do not get removed. Vista's NT 6.0 kernel loads most (if not all) drivers into user-mode for greater security and stability.

 

[Greenlizard0]

Ahh so it's very much a link in the chain rather than a core?

 

[NathanE]

No it's the core. The Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) is the only part of the kernel that talks directly to the hardware. The HAL is, arguably, a very small part of the kernel.