What is the function of a bootloader in an operating system?
a) To load the operating system kernel into memory during the boot process
b) To manage memory allocation for processes
c) To schedule tasks for the CPU
d) To provide an interface for users to interact with applications
Answer:
a) To load the operating system kernel into memory during the boot process
Explanation:
The bootloader is a small program responsible for loading the operating system’s kernel into memory during the system startup process. It initializes the hardware and prepares the system to run the OS, which includes locating the OS and transferring control to it.
When a computer is powered on, the BIOS or UEFI performs initial hardware checks, and then the bootloader takes over to load the operating system. Common bootloaders include GRUB (used in Linux) and Windows Boot Manager.
The bootloader is critical in the boot process, as it ensures that the operating system is properly loaded and ready to handle user requests and manage system resources.