What is "kernel"

Kenel is the core component of the operating system of most computers; it serves as a bridge between applications and actual hardware-level data processing. Core responsibilities include managing system resources (communication between hardware and software components).

Basic purposes:

• Process Management
• Memory Management
• System calls

Bibliographical references:

• Silberschatz, Abraham; James L. Peterson, Peter B. Galvin. Operating system Concepts. Boston, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley.
• Andrew Tanenbaum, Operating Systems - Design and Implementation (Third Edition).
• Andrew Tanenbaum, Modern Operating Systems (Second Edition).