SOFTWARE
An operating system is a system software which controls all the activities that take
place in a computer.
There are three types of operating systems, which are:
(a) Stand-alone operating system
Stand-alone operating systems can work directly on computers (or
smartphones, like Android) and make sure that the tasks of the operating
system are completed.
(b) Network operating system.
Network or server operating systems are operating systems that are not
designed to be used on their own, but rather to help other computers on a
network.
(c) Embedded operating system
Embedded operating systems are operating systems designed to be used on
a single device with a very specific purpose (such as a SmartTV or video
camera).
Functions of an operating system
Provide an interface for users to interact with the computer.
Manages processing.
Manages input and output (hardware)
Manages memory (allocate space for programs)
Manages storage.
Provides security to the computer.
Provides routine tasks.
Examples of operating systems
Mobile Operating Desktop/Laptops
Systems
Android Windows
Ios Linux
Windows Mobile Unix
Windows RT Mac OSx
Processing Techniques
One of the functions of the operating system is to manage processing and tasks.
There are three processing techniques used by the computer.
(a) Multitasking.
-refers to a processing technique where a computer appears to run multiple
programs at the same time whereas it shares time among the programs.
(b) Multiprocessing.
- refers to a processing technique where the computer processes many
programs, threads and tasks using different cores or processors.
(c) Multithreading
-refers to a processing technique where a program is split into multiple tasks (or
threads) that can be processed at the same time using different cores or
processors.
CLASSWORK
1. List FIVE functions of the operating system.
2. Explain the THREE processing techniques.
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
Programming languages are used to design software. There two types of
programming languages which are low-level programming language and high-
level programming language.
Low-level programming language
Low-level programming language involves writing code that the CPU will
understand.
Low-level programming languages are usually used to write short codes
for embedded devices such as washing machine.
They are also known as assembly languages.
High-level programming languages
These are languages written in a format understood by humans and then
translated into a machine code by a compiler or interpreter.
Examples of programming languages include C++, C, Delphi, Pascal and Ada.
Compiler Interpreter
It takes an entire program and It converts the current line into
translate it into machine language. machine language as it is executed.
Takes time to analyse a program Takes less time to analyse a program
hence slow hence fast
Generates an output file of the source Does not generate a separate output
code which can be run separately hence the program must be run every
time.
Examples of compiled languages Examples of compiled languages
include, C++, Delphi include Python, Java and Scratch.
Virtualisation
-is a process which allows you to install a completely different operating system
on top of another operating system.
Advantages of virtualisation
It saves time.
It cuts down on cost of buying extra hardware. Examples of virtualisation
software include Virtual Box (Freeware), Parallels, VM Ware
HOMEWORK
1. Define the term virtualisation. (2)
2. List TWO applications that can be used for virtualisation. (2)
3. Differentiate between a compiler and an interpreter. (2)
4. State TWO examples of complied programming languages. (2)
5. State TWO examples of interpreted programming languages. (2)