Kernel

A software kernel in an operating system is the primary executive of hardware-related tasks, allowing lower-privileged software or services to access a device's hardware in a safe manner. To my understanding, there are two primary kernel implementations, being microkernel-based, akin to most of Nintendo's operating systems. There is also a monolithic kernel, which I am very unexperienced with. The devices that comprise these are mostly general source devices. The Linux kernel uses this architecture.