The kernel is the essential center of a computer operating system, the core that provides basic services for all other parts of the operating system. A kernel can be contrasted (compared) with a shell, shell is the outermost part of an operating system that interacts with user commands.

What is kernel and shell in Linux OS?

A shell is an environment or a special user program which provide an interface to user to use operating system services. It executes programs based on the input provided by the user. 2. … Kernel is the heart and core of an Operating System that manages operations of computer and hardware.

What are shells in Linux?

The shell is an interactive interface that allows users to execute other commands and utilities in Linux and other UNIX-based operating systems. … Linux shells are a lot more powerful than the Windows command line, because they function as a scripting language as well, with a complete set of tools.