OPERATING SYSTEM NOTES

An operating system is a collection of integrated computer programs that provide recurring

services to other programs or to the user of a computer. These services consist of disk and file
management, memory management, and device management. In other words, it manages CPU
operations, input/output activities, storage resources, diverse support services, and controls
various devices.
Operating system is the most important program for computer system. Without an operating
system, every computer program would have to contain instructions telling the hardware each
step the hardware should take to do its job, such as storing a file on a disk. Because the operating
system contains these instructions, any program can call on the operating system when a service
is needed. Examples include:
DOS - Disk Operating System - one of the first operating systems for the personal computer.
When you turned the computer on all you saw was the command prompt which looked like c:\ >.
You had to type all commands at the command prompt which might look like c:\>wp\[Link].
This is called a command-line interface. It was not very "user friendly"
Windows - The Windows operating system, a product of Microsoft, is a GUI (graphical user
interface)operating system. This type of "user friendly" operating system is said to have WIMP
features:

 Windows
 Icons
 Menus
 Pointing device (mouse)

MacOS - Macintosh, a product of Apple, has its own operating system with a GUI and WIMP
features.
UNIX - Linux (the PC version of UNIX) - UNIX and Linux were originally created with a
command- line interface, but recently have added GUI enhancements.

FIRMWARE /STORED LOGIC

This is the combination of persistent memory and program code and data stored permanently on
electronic chips. The firmware contained in these devices provides the control program for the
device.
Firmware is held in non-volatile memory devices such as ROM, EPROM, or flash memory.
They hold operating systems, utility programs, language processors etc.

UTILITY SOFTWARE
Utility software is designed to help analyze, configure, optimize or maintain a computer. A
single piece of utility software is usually called a utility or tool. Utility software usually focuses
on how the computer infrastructure (including the computer hardware, operating system, data
storage and application software operates)

UTILITY SOFTWARE CATEGORIES

 Anti-virus utilities scan for computer viruses.
 Archive utilities output a stream or a single file when provided with a directory or a set
of files.
 Backup utilities can make a copy of all information stored on a disk, and restore either
the entire disk (e.g. in an event of disk failure) or selected files (e.g. in an event of
accidental deletion).
 Cryptographic utilities encrypt and decrypt streams and files.
 Data compression utilities output a shorter stream or a smaller file when provided with a
stream or file.
 Data synchronization utilities establish consistency among data from a source to target
data storage and vice versa. There are several branches of this type of utility:
 File synchronization utilities maintain consistency between two sources. They may be
used to create redundancy or backup copies but are also used to help users carry their
digital music, photos and video in their mobile devices.
 Revision control utilities are intended to deal with situations where more than one user
attempts to simultaneously modify the same file.
 Disk checkers can scan operating hard drive.
 Disk cleaners can find files that are unnecessary to computer operation, or take up
considerable amounts of space. Disk cleaner helps the user to decide what to delete when
their hard disk is full.

 Disk compression utilities can transparently compress/uncompress the contents of a disk,

increasing the capacity of the disk.
 Disk defragmenters can detect computer files whose contents are broken across several
locations on the hard disk, and move the fragments to one location to increase efficiency.
  Disk partitions can divide an individual drive into multiple logical drives, each with its
own file system which can be mounted by the operating system and treated as an
individual drive.
 Disk space analyzers for the visualization of disk space usage by getting the size for each
folder (including sub folders) & files in folder or drive. Showing the distribution of the
used space.
 Disk storage utilities
 File managers provide a convenient method of performing routine data management
tasks, such as deleting, renaming, cataloging, un-cataloging, moving, copying, merging,
generating and modifying data sets.
 Hex editors directly modify the text or data of a file. These files could be data or an
actual program.

 Memory testers check for memory failures.

 Network utilities analyze the computer's network connectivity, configure network
settings, check data transfer or log events.
 Registry cleaners clean and optimize the Windows registry by removing old registry keys
that are no longer in use.
 Screensavers were desired to prevent phosphor burn-in on CRT and plasma computer
monitors by blanking the screen or filling it with moving images or patterns when the
computer is not in use.
 Contemporary screensavers are used primarily for entertainment or security.
 System monitors for monitoring resources and performance in a computer system.
 System profilers provide detailed information about the software installed and hardware
attached to the computer.

NETWORKING SOFTWARE
This software is used to establish communication between two or more computers by linking
them using a communication channel like cables to create a computer network. It enables the
exchange of data in a network as well as providing data security. Networking software may come
as independent software or integrated in an operating system. Examples include: novel Netware,
windows NT etc.

When computers communicate to one another, they need networking software often referred to
as a protocol.
A protocol is a set of rules that govern how data packets move from one computer to another on
a network connection.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
This is computer software designed to help the user perform a specific task. Examples include
enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. This
book will mostly feature office suites.

OFFICE SUITES
 Existing office suites contain wide range of various components. Most typically, the base
components include:
 Word processor-allows users to create edit and save documents. Examples: Ms Word,
open office. org, lotus word pro, word pad, libreoffice writer etc.
 Spreadsheet- allows users to create documents and perform calculations. Examples: Ms
Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, open [Link], VisiCalc etc.
 Computer Aided Design- is the use of computer systems to assist in the creation,
modification, analysis, or optimization of a design or he process of creating a technical
drawing with the use ofcomputer software. It can also be classified as a vector graphic
under graphics suite. Example: Auto- CAD, PLaSM, NCLab etc.
 Presentation program-allows users to create visual presentations. Example: Ms Power
Point, Corel Presentations, Google Docs etc.
 Database-allows users to store and retrieve vast amount of data. Example: Ms Access,
MySQL,Oracle etc.
 Graphics suite (raster graphics editor, vector graphics editor, image viewer- allows
users to manipulate visual images on a computer. Example: Corel Draw, Photoshop,
Graphic Art, Xnview, Picasa, Ms Movie maker etc.
 Desktop publishing software-allows users to create printed materials using page layout
on a personal computer. Example: Ms Publisher, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe InDesign,
Corel Ventura,Adobe FrameMaker etc.

 Formula editor- allows users to typeset mathematical works or formulae. Example:

Aurora, Ms Equation Editor, Math Magic, EqualX etc.
  Email client-allows users to access and manage their Email accounts. Example: GNU
mail, Opera mail, Ms Outlook, Apple mail etc.
 Web browsers-used for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on
the World Wide Web. Examples: Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome, Safari, Internet
explorer etc.
 Personal information manager (PIM)- used to organize personal information. a PIM
tool's purpose is to facilitate the recording, tracking, and management of certain types of
"personal information".
 Example: Windows calendar, windows contacts, Chandler, Open IRIS etc.

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO ACQUISITION

IN-HOUSE DEVELOPED SOFTWARE

These are programs designed to meet a specific user’s needs. In this situation, a system analyst
studies an existing system (most likely manual) and together with a programmer, they make a
new computerized system to fit the needs of their client. For example, a school can hire a
computer analyst to design a program that can be used to produce report cards.

VENDOR OFF-THE-SHELF SOFTWARE

This kind of software is developed by software engineers, packaged and then made available for
purchase through a vendor, a distributor or directly from the developer. Several applications may
be bundled together to form a suite e.g. Microsoft office, Lotus suite, Corel word perfect, quick
books etc.
Advantages of standard software over in-house developed programs are:

1. They can easily be installed and run.

2. They are cheaper.
3. They can do a variety of tasks
4. They are reliable because they have minor errors in them.
5. They can easily be modified or customized to fit user needs.
6. They are compatible to a large variety of computer hardware

DISADVANTAGES OF OFF-THE-SHELF SOFTWARE

1. Are expensive
 2. Not compatible to a variety of hardware setup
3. Require large computer memories to run
4. Require extra training from basic training
5. Prone to errors
6. Have a limited number of controls therefore not so user friendly.

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO END-USER-

LICENSE:
FREEWARE
This is software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or
more restricted usage rights.
Example: Adobe reader, Adobe flash player, Ubuntu operating system, Rising Antivirus, VLC
media player etc. This software is sourced for free but they are vulnerable to computer viruses or
can carry a virus unto your computer.

SHAREWARE
Shareware (also termed trialware or demoware) is proprietary software that is provided to users
without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality,
availability (it may be functional for a limited time period only), or convenience (the software
may present a dialog at startup or during usage, reminding the user to purchase it; "nagging
dialogs"). Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact
disc included with a periodical such as a newspaper or magazine. The rationale behind shareware
is to give buyers the opportunity to use the program and judge its usefulness before purchasing a
license for the full version of the software. Firms with superior software thus have an incentive
to offer samples, except if their product is already well known, or if they do not want to be listed
in direct competition with other products on shareware repositories.

PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright
holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while
restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.

FREE AND OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE (FOSS)

Free and open-source software (FOSS) or free/libre/open-source software (FLOSS) is software
that is both free software and open source. It is liberally licensed to grant users the right to use,
copy, study, change, and improve its design through the availability of its source code.
This approach has gained both momentum and acceptance as the potential benefits have been
increasingly recognized by both individuals and corporations.

OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE (OSS)

Open-source software (OSS) is computer software that is available in source code form: the
source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under
an open-source license that permits users to study, change, improve and at times also to
distribute the software.
Example: Linux

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A COMPUTER SYSTEM

When purchasing a computer hardware or software, consider a number of requirements
necessary to fit your needs and costs.

HARDWARE CONSIDERATIONS
1. Microprocessor type and speed- the speed and processing power of a computer depends on
the type of CPU and its clock speed. Consider microprocessors with high cache memory and
faster clock speeds since they can be able to run a variety of tasks without strain. Intel Duo Core
and AMD Duron are the latest for PCs.
2. Memory capacity- Consider the capacity of your memory since higher memories creates
good performance of your computer. Check whether it’s static or dynamic, DDR or SDR, empty
memory slots on the motherboard and whether they are up gradable with other installed modules.
3. Warranty- A warranty is an agreement between the buyer and the seller that spells terms and
conditions of, after selling a product incase of failure or malfunction. A good warranty should
cover the following:

 Scope of cover i.e. one year

 Callout response and liability agreement
 Preventive performance.

4. Cost- The cost of a computer system depends on:

Processing power
Whether it’s a Branded or a clone- a clone is a hardware or software system that is designed to
mimic another system whilst a branded computer is a computer whose parts are made by one
company copyrighted and standardized, they are more expensive than clones but are of high
quality. Examples: Dell, Acer, Compaq, HP, Apple etc.
Size- Portable computers are more expensive than desktops because of the complexity of
technology used to make them.
5. Upgradeability and Compatibility- Upgradeability is the ability of a system to embrace to
new forms of technology available in the market and Compatibility is the ability of a system to
run in more than one different system families. For example: a computer that can run on
windows, MAC, Ubuntu, etc operating systems.
6. Portability- Consider your user needs and decide whether you need a computer that you can
easily carry from one place to another or fixed in one place. In this case, a palmtop or a laptop
and a desktop are convenient respectively.
7. User Needs- Value your user needs and any other needs you will use this computer for. If you
want a variety of tasks, then try a general purpose computer.
8. Monitors- Check for video adaptors, resolution, power consumption and saving, technology
used to manufacture them (TFT, Gas Plasma, CRT etc)
9. Multimedia Capabilities – This is the ability to support multimedia functions like: sound
card, TV card, SVGA monitor, CD/DVD drives etc.
10. Cabling- check whether the ports are user friendly, wireless or bound and strategically
positioned on the system unit which might be a tower or a desktop type.

SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS
1. Authenticity –this is the genuineness, validity and legitimacy of an item.
2. Documentation- Availability of user manuals prepared by the developer with details on
how to install, use and maintain the software. i.e. installation guide, maintenance guide
and a user guide.
3. User needs- User needs dictates the type of software to purchase. For example: if the
user wants to type letters, memos, CVs etc. the word processors are valid.
4. Portability- This is the ability of the acquired software to be installed in more than one
family of computer hardware. For example: if it can accept MAC computers, 32-bit, 64-
bit computers etc.
5. Compatibility and system configuration- A software product should be compatible
with the existing hardware, operating system or application programs and should be
readily upgradeable.
6. User friendliness- this is the measure of how easily the users can be able to operate the
computer.
7. User friendly software should have WIMP- Windows Icons Menus and Pointing
devices.
8. Cost- Consider cost effective software. I.e. the benefits should outweigh the costs.