Basic Principles of Operating Systems An operating system is a collection of software that coordinates the working of the different components of the system and gets the user's job done.The operating system provides the user with all the basic things necessary to do his job. Is it enough to have microsoft word to write letters? No. Surprised? Basic Principles of Operating Systems An operating system is a collection of software that coordinates the working of the different components of the system and gets the user’s job done. The operating system provides the user with all the basic things necessary to do his job. Is it enough to have microsoft word to write letters? No. Surprised?