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Understanding Operating Systems in Business

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
26 views4 pages

Understanding Operating Systems in Business

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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

IT Application Tools in Business

Module 5: operating system

Overview
● What is an operating system?
● Important Functions of an OS
● Applications of the OS
● Programming Languages
● Methods of Data Processing
● Software Development Life Cycle

Operating System
- An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages
computer hardware resources and provides common services for
computer programs. The operating system is a vital component of the
system software in a computer system.
- An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user
and computer hardware. An operating system is a software which
performs all the basic tasks like file management, memory
management, process management, handling input and output, and
controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

Important Functions of an OS

● Memory Management
● Processor Management
● Device Management
● File Management
● Security
● Control over system performance
● Job accounting
● Error detecting aids
● Coordination between other software and users

Applications of the OS

Security
- By means of password and similar other techniques, it prevents
unauthorized access to programs and data.

Control over system performance


- Recording delays between request for a service and response from
the system.
IT Application Tools in Business
Module 5: operating system

Job accounting
- Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and users.

Error detecting aids


- Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other debugging
and error detecting aids.

Coordination between other software and users


- Coordination and assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers
and other software to the various users of the computer systems.

Programming Languages
- The computer system is simply a machine and hence it cannot
perform any work; therefore, in order to make it functional different
languages are developed, which are known as programming
languages or simply computer languages.
- Over the last two decades, dozens of computer languages have been
developed. Each of these languages comes with its own set of
vocabulary and rules, better known as syntax. Furthermore, while
writing the computer language, syntax has to be followed literally, as
even a small mistake will result in an error and not generate the
required output.

Major categories of Programming Languages:

● Machine Language
● Assembly Language
● High Level Language
● System Language
● Scripting Language

Machine Language or Code


- This is the language that is written for the computer hardware. Such
language is affected directly by the central processing unit (CPU) of a
computer system.

Assembly Language
- It is a language of an encoding of machine code that makes simpler
and readable.
IT Application Tools in Business
Module 5: operating system

The High Level Language


- is simple and easy to understand and it is similar to English language.
For example, COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, C, C+, Python, etc.

Data Processing
- Collection, manipulation, and processing collected data for the
required use is known as data processing. It is a technique normally
performed by a computer; the process includes retrieving,
transforming, or classification of information.
- However, the processing of data largely depends on the following:
● The volume of data that need to be processed
● The complexity of data processing operations
● Capacity and inbuilt technology of respective computer
system
● Technical skills
● Time constraints

Different methods of data processing.


● Single user programming
● Multiple programming
● Real-time processing
● Online processing
● Time sharing processing
● Distributed processing

Single User Programming


- It is usually done by a single person for his personal use. This
technique is suitable even for small offices.

Multiple Programming
- This technique provides facility to store and execute more than one
program in the Central Processing Unit (CPU) simultaneously.
Further, the multiple programming technique increases the overall
working efficiency of the respective computer.

Real-time Processing
- This technique facilitates the user to have direct contact with the
computer system. This technique eases data processing. This
technique is also known as the direct mode or the interactive mode
technique and is developed exclusively to perform one task. It is a sort
of online processing, which always remains under execution.
IT Application Tools in Business
Module 5: operating system

Online Processing
- This technique facilitates the entry and execution of data directly; so, it
does not store or accumulate first and then process. The technique is
developed in such a way that reduces the data entry errors, as it
validates data at various points and also ensures that only corrected
data is entered. This technique is widely used for online applications.

Time-sharing Processing
- This is another form of online data processing that facilitates several
users to share the resources of an online computer system. This
technique is adopted when results are needed swiftly. Moreover, as
the name suggests, this system is time based.
-
Distributed Processing
- This is a specialized data processing technique in which various
computers (which are located remotely) remain interconnected with a
single host computer making a network of computer.

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)


- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a process used by the
software industry to design, develop and test high quality software.
The SDLC aims to produce a high-quality software that meets or
exceeds customer expectations, reaches completion within times and
cost estimates.

Common questions

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Machine language is directly written for and executed by computer hardware, with instructions corresponding to binary codes specific to a computer's CPU. In contrast, high-level programming languages are user-friendly, often resembling English, and are converted into machine language via compilers before execution, allowing for easier programming and debugging .

Real-time processing facilitates direct interaction with the computer system and is designed for tasks that require immediate processing, making it suitable for applications that continuously run. Online processing allows for the direct entry and execution of data, focusing on reducing entry errors and validating data instantaneously. Unlike real-time processing, online processing does not continuously execute tasks in real-time but focuses on immediate processing upon data entry .

Memory management in an operating system involves the handling of memory allocation for processes, ensuring efficient memory use and preventing conflicts. It segments memory for processes and manages space swapping between RAM and disk. Processor management, on the other hand, focuses on allocating CPU time to processes, scheduling tasks efficiently to enhance performance and ensure fair distribution among processes. While both aim to optimize system performance, memory management deals with data storage, and processor management prioritizes execution efficiency .

Assembly language caters to low-level programming needs, providing a human-readable format for machine code, enabling precise hardware manipulation suited for system-level tasks. High-level languages abstract hardware complexity, offering syntax close to human language, which increases development speed and accessibility for building complex applications. Thus, assembly languages are used for fine-tuning performance, while high-level languages maximize productivity and code maintainability .

An operating system enhances computer security through password protection and other techniques to prevent unauthorized access to programs and data. It controls access to system resources and provides mechanisms to shield sensitive data from malware and unauthorized users. Additionally, the OS plays a role in managing security protocols and updates to keep the system protected .

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is integral to producing high-quality software by providing a structured approach to design, development, and testing. It ensures that software meets customer expectations and aligns with budget and time estimates. The SDLC phases facilitate thorough requirement analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance, reducing bugs and enhancing functionality. Additionally, it promotes stakeholder engagement, contributing to the software's quality and relevance in solving specific user problems .

Distributed processing improves efficiency by linking multiple remotely located computers into a network with a host computer. This setup allows simultaneous data processing tasks to be handled across various nodes, enhancing computational speed, reliability, and scalability. It is particularly useful for complex operations requiring substantial processing power and for distributing workloads to avoid bottlenecks in a single system .

Time-sharing processing is advantageous in environments requiring swift results because it allows multiple users to access and share computing resources simultaneously. This form of processing optimizes the usage of the computing system's resources, reducing idle time and enhancing response times for each user, making it ideal for handling multiple quick computational tasks concurrently .

Job accounting in an operating system involves tracking the time and resources used by various jobs and users. This function provides system administrators with reports on resource consumption patterns, enabling them to optimize system performance, manage workloads effectively, and ensure fair resource allocation among users .

The method of data processing is influenced by factors such as the volume of data, complexity of operations, capacity and technology of the computer system, technical skills available, and time constraints. Larger data volumes and complex operations might necessitate distributed or parallel processing, while simpler tasks might utilize single-user or batch processing. System capacity determines feasibility, and technical expertise affects operational efficiency and error management .

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