... You do not need to know anything about the kernel in order to use a UNIX system. ... managing the machine's memory and allocating it to each process. scheduling the work done by the CPU so that the work of each user is carried out as efficiently as is possible. organising the transfer of data from one part of the machine to another. accepting instructions from the shell and carrying them out. enforcing the access permissions that are in force on the file system. Did You Know? ...