Software
1 System Software
a. Operating System (Collection of programs)
I. Boots the computer (the first task your operating system performs when
you power up your computer is to boot the computer. During the boot
process, the essential portion, or core, of the operating system (called the
kernel) is loaded into memory. The kernel remains in memory the entire
time the computer is on so that it is always available; other parts of the
operating system are retrieved from the hard drive and loaded into memory
when they are needed. Before the boot process ends, the operating system
determines the hardware devices that are connected to the computer and
configured properly, and it reads an opening batch of instructions. These
startup instructions (which the user can customize to some extent when
necessary) assign tasks for the operating system to carry out each time the
computer boots, such as launching a security program to run continually in
the background to detect possible threats.)
II. launches application software
III. UI (ensures that all actions requested by a user are valid and processed in
an orderly fashion). one of the principal roles of every operating system is
to translate user instructions into a form the computer can understand. It
also translates any feedback from hardware—such as a signal that the
printer has run out of paper or that a new hardware device has been
connected to the computer—into a form that the user can understand.
IV. Device driver. A program that enables an operating system to
communicate with a specific hardware device; often referred to simply as
a driver. Configuring Devices (The operating system also configures all
devices connected to a computer. Small programs called device drivers (or
simply drivers) are used to communicate with peripheral devices, such as
monitors, printers, portable storage devices, and keyboards.)
V. Managing Network Connections (The operating system is also in charge
of managing your network connections, such as a wired connection to a
home or office network or wireless connections at home, school, work, or
on the go.)
VI. Scheduling routines in the operating system determine the order in which
jobs are carried out, as well as which commands get executed first if the
user is working with more than one program at one time or if the computer
(such as a server or mainframe) supports multiple users Managing and
Monitoring Resources and Jobs (r, the operating system continuously
manages your computer’s resources (such as software, disk space, and
memory) and makes them available to devices and programs when they are
needed. If a problem occurs—such as a program stops functioning or too
many programs are open for the amount of memory installed in the
computer—the operating system notifies the user and tries to correct the
problem, often by closing the offending program. If the problem cannot be
corrected by the operating system, then the user typically needs to reboot
the computer.)
VII. File Management. organize the files on a storage medium into folders to
simplify file management. (—keeping track of the files stored on a
computer so that they can be retrieved when needed.) Usually the operating
system files are stored inside one folder (such as the Windows folder), and
each application program is stored in its own separate folder inside a main
programs folder (such as Program Files). Other folders designed for storing
data files are typically created by the operating system for each user (such
as Documents, Music, and Pictures folders); individuals may create
additional folders, as desired, to keep their files organized. Folders can
contain both files and other folders (called subfolders).
VIII. Security (A computer’s operating system can use passwords, biometric
characteristics (such as fingerprints), and other security procedures to limit
access to the computer and other system resources to only authorized users.
Most operating systems also include other security features, such as an
integrated firewall to protect against unauthorized access via the Internet)
IX. Memory Management(The operating system allocates RAM to programs
as needed and then reclaims that memory when the program is closed.) One
memory-management technique frequently used by operating systems is
virtual memory, which uses a portion of the computer’s hard drive as
additional RAM. All programs and data located in RAM are divided into
fixed-length pages or variable-length segments, depending on the
operating system being used. . When the amount of RAM required exceeds
the amount of RAM available, the operating system moves pages from
RAM to the virtual memory area of the hard drive (this area is called the
page file or swap file). Virtual memory allows you to use more memory
than is physically available on your computer, but using virtual memory is
slower than just using RAM. Most operating systems today allow the user
to specify the total amount of hard drive space to be used for virtual
memory.
b. Utility Programs
Techniques most commonly used by operating systems to increase efficiency
1. Multitasking. The capability of an operating system to run more than one
program at one time.
Multitasking Multitasking refers to the ability of an operating system to
have more than one program (also called a task) open at one time. For
example, multitasking allows a user to edit a spreadsheet file in one
window while loading a Web page in another window or to retrieve new e-
mail messages in one window while a word processing document is open
in another window. Without the ability to multitask, an operating system
would require the user to close one program before opening another
program. Virtually all operating systems today support multitasking.
2. Multithreading A thread is a sequence of instructions within a program that
is independent of other threads, such as spell checking, printing, and
opening documents in a word processing program. Operating systems that
support multithreading have the ability to rotate between multiple threads
(similar to the way multitasking can rotate between multiple programs) so
that processing is completed faster and more efficiently, even though only
one thread is executed by a single core at one time. Most operating systems
support multithreading.
2 Application Software
Software
Computers run two types of software: system software and application software.
In general, the operating system serves as an intermediary between the user and
the computer, as well as between application programs and the computer system’s
hardware
➤ System software consists of the operating system and utility programs that
control your computer and allow you to use it. These programs enable the
computer to boot, to launch application programs, and to facilitate important jobs,
such as transferring files from one storage medium to another, configuring your
computer to work with the hardware connected to it, connecting your computer
to a network, managing files on your hard drive, and protecting your computer
from unauthorized use.
System software. Programs, such as the operating system, that control the
operation of a computer and its devices and that enable the computer to run
application software.
➤ Application software includes all the programs that allow you to perform
specific tasks on your computer, such as writing a letter, preparing an invoice,
viewing a Web page, listening to a music file, checking the inventory of a
particular product, playing a game, preparing financial statements, designing a
home, and so forth.
Application software. Programs that enable users to perform specific tasks on a
computer, such as writing a letter or playing a game.
Operating system. The main component of system software that enables a
computer to operate, manage its activities and the resources under its control, run
application programs, and interface with the user.
A computer’s operating system is a collection of programs that manage and
coordinate the activities taking place within the computer and it is the most
critical piece of software installed on the computer. The operating system boots
the computer, launches application software, and ensures that all actions
requested by a user are valid and processed in an orderly fashion. F