SOFTWARE
• All instructions or coding that
manipulates the hardware is known as
SOFTWARE.
• Two main types
–System software
–Application Software
1-1 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
System
Software
5-2 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Competencies
• Describe the differences between system
software and application software
• Discuss the four types of system software
• Discuss the basic functions, features, and
categories of operating systems
• Describe the Windows,
Mac OS, UNIX, & Linux
operating systems
5-3 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Competencies
• Describe the purpose of utilities and utility
suites
• Identify the five most essential utilities
• Discuss Windows utility programs
• Describe device drivers, including printer
drivers
5-4 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Computers and computer applications are
everywhere in our lives so much so that we
expect them to “be there when we need
them”.
We often give little thought to the processes
and programs running behind the scenes to
keep our computers functioning effectively.
These kinds of programs and processes (i.e.
operating systems, utility programs, device
drivers, etc…) fall under the topic of system
software and are covered in this lecture.
5-5 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
System Software
• Handles technical details
• Works with end users, application
software, and computer hardware
• Four types of programs
– Operating system
– Utilities
– Device drivers
– Language translators
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• SOFTWARE (Systems/ Application)
• Operating System
• Communication between User, Application
Software and System Software.
What is an Operating System?
• An operating system is
– set of programs
• designed to efficiently manage the resources
of the computer.
• It sits between the hardware and the
application software
– performs certain essential support tasks
that are common to many applications.
Operating Systems
• Manage computer resources
• Provide an interface between the users
and computer
• Runs applications
• A collection of programs that handle
technical tasks
• Every computer has an operating
system
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Typical tasks performed by an
operating system include:
Executing and monitoring input and output operations
Monitoring the status of hardware devices
Provide utilities for file management e.g. Reporting
on the status of disk usage and bytes available
Allocating internal memory to software
Schedule programs
Receiving, interpreting and executing commands
from the user.
Security
Establish network connections
Provide user interface
User interfaces
• Command Driven
• Menu Driven (Graphical User
Interface GUI)
Common Operating System
features
• Multiprogramming,
• Multitasking and
• Multiprocessing
Multiprogramming
• In multiprogramming, several programs
and their data (called jobs) are placed
in the computer's primary storage at
the same time. The CPU then divides
its time between these jobs. It
executes one job for a brief period of
time, then switches to another, and
so forth, until each job is completed.
Multitasking
• Multitasking is a variation of
multiprogramming and was developed to
provide interactive use of a computer.
• It allows the user to access several
programs at the same time.
• For example, the user can instruct the
computer to print a word processing file,
sort a database file, and calculate a
spreadsheet problem simultaneously, etc
Multiprocessing
Multiprocessing involves linking two or
more CPUs to optimise the handling of
data. While one CPU is executing one
set of instructions, another CPU can
be executing a different set.
OS concepts
• A single-user OS is one designed for
use by just one user
• A multi-user OS is one designed for
use by multiple users (either at the
same time, or one at a time)
• A network OS makes network
resources available and facilitate
sharing of network resources
Common Operating Systems
Disk Operating System (DOS)
Unix
Linux
Macintosh operating system
Windows
MS-DOS
• MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk
Operating System), use has
gradually decreasing because of
new operating systems.
• MS-DOS is command driven and is
a single user operating system,
Unix Operating System
• multiprocessing.
• Multitasking
• multi-user operating system
Multi-user means that several
users can share resources
being managed by a UNIX
operating system.
Linux
• Linux is an "open-source" operating
system that was developed by thousands
of volunteers around the world. It is
based on Unix
• It is quick, stable, and the source code
is freely distributed between
programmers everywhere,
• literally thousands of applications are
available for FREE which take advantage
of this operating system.
Macintosh Operating System
• The Apple Macintosh
multitasking operating system
was the first commercially
successful graphical user
interface when it released.
WINDOWS
•
• Microsoft Windows is the most widely used
graphical user interface for personal
computers.
• Some examples are: Windows 95, Windows
98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows
XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 released
Oct 2009;
• Windows is a multitasking operating system.
Functions of an Operating
System
• Performs three types of functions
– Manages computer resources
• Coordinate memory, processing storage, and
printers
• Monitor system performance
• Provide security
• Start-up the computer
– Provides user interface
• Character-based interface
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
– Runs applications
• Multitasking
• Foreground & background applications
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Features of an
Operating System
• Booting
• Features in GUI
– Icons
– Pointers
– Windows
– Menus
– Dialog boxes
– Help
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Categories of Operating
Systems
• Hundreds of operating systems
• Three basic categories
– Embedded operating systems
• hand-held
– Network operating systems – linked
computers
– Stand-alone operating systems –
desktop
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More on Operating Systems
• OS often called software environment
or platform
• Operating systems commonly used by
individuals
– Windows – most widely used
– Mac OS – powerful and easy to use
– UNIX – network; originally designed for
Web
– LINUX – non proprietary; free from the
Web
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Windows
• The most popular microcomputer
operating system – over 90 percent of
the market
• Comes in a variety of different versions
• Windows 7
provides several
improvements
over Windows
Vista
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Mac OS
• An operating system designed to run on
Apple computers
• Not used as widely as Windows
• One of the most innovative operating systems
• Mac OS X is one of the latest versions
• Mac OS (Boot Camp)
allows the running of both
the Mac OS and
Windows
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UNIX and LINUX
• UNIX operating system
– Originally designed to run on minicomputers on a
network
– Used by powerful microcomputers
• LINUX is a version
of UNIX
– Open source
5-29 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Virtualization
• Ability to support multiple operating
systems on a single physical machine
• Virtualization software
– Physical machine can be logically
separated into separate and independent
virtual computers called virtual
machines
– Host operating system
– Guest operating system
5-30 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Utilities
• Specialized programs to make computing
easier
• Most essential utilities
– Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
– Antivirus programs
– Uninstall programs
– Backup programs
– File compression programs
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Windows Utilities
• Backup and Restore
• Disk Cleanup
• Disk Defragmenter
Accessing Windows Vista utilities:
Click Start, Select All Programs, Select
Accessories, Choose System Tools
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Backup and Restore
• Utility program included
with many Windows
versions
• Makes a copy of all files or
selected files that have been
saved on a disk
• Helps prevent against
disk failure
Return
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Disk Cleanup
• Identifies and eliminates
nonessential files
• Frees up valuable space
and improves system
performance
Return
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Disk Defragmenter
• Identifies and eliminates unnecessary
fragments
• Rearranges files and
unused disk space to
optimize operations
• Speeds up file access
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Utility Suites
• A group of several utility programs bundled
for sale
• Buying the package is economical
• Popular suites
– Norton System Works
– McAfee Office
– V Communications
SystemSuite
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Device Drivers
• Specialized programs that allow
communication between a device
and the computer
• Loaded into memory each
time a computer is started
• When a new device is added,
new device drivers must be
installed
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Virus Protection and
Internet Security
• Internet Security Suite
– Runs a number of
programs
– Continually monitors your
computer
• VirusScan
– Controls the frequency of
searches for viruses
– Quarantines or deletes
infected files
• PrivacyService
– Helps protect your privacy
online
– Block websites, cookies,
and ads
5-38 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Careers In IT
• Computer support specialist
provide technical support to
customers and other users
• Resolve common networking
problems and use
troubleshooting programs to
diagnose problems
• Employers look for a bachelors
degree, good analytical and
communication skills
• Computer support specialist
can expect to earn $32K - $53K
annually
5-39 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
A Look to the Future
IBM's Aware Supercomputer
• IBM’s Automatic Computing Initiative (ACI)
– Handles time-consuming maintenance
– Self-regulating and virtually invisible
• Self-maintaining servers
– Self-repairing
– Self-updating
– Self-protecting
5-40 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Open-Ended Questions(Page 1 of 2)
• Describe system software. What are the four
types of system programs?
• What are the basic functions of every operating
system? What are the three basic operating
system categories?
• Explain the differences and similarities between
Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
5-41 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Open-Ended Questions(Page 2 of 2)
• Discuss utilities. What are the five most essential
utilities? What is a utility suite?
• Explain the role of device drivers. Discuss the
Add a Device Wizard and Windows Update.
5-42 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.