DOS
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Most operating systems uses the boot partition to boot the computer. In some operating systems, both the system partition and the boot partition are used to boot up the system.
Dual booting is not restricted to Linux. Dual booting refers to the presence of two operating systems on one computer. Switch/choice between these operating systems is determined at boot time (either via bios or boot manager), therefore only one operating system is at use at a time.
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You do not have to dual-boot. This is a choice of practicality. Many people dual-boot to get the most functionality out of each operating system without having to purchase multiple computers. Running additional operating systems via another method, such as virtualization, can often impair the operating system's performance or capabilities.
An operating system (or OS) is the piece of software that allows your computer's hardware to have a software interface. Examples of operating systems include Microsoft Windows 7, Apple OS X Lion, and even Android, Linux, and iOS. Without the operating system, a computer would boot to bios and be stuck there for all eternity.