BASIC Computer Skills

THE MWALIMU NYERERE MEMORIAL ACADEMY (MNMA)

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
(ICT)-PEMBA BRANCH

Course Code Course Name Course Credit

GST 04102 Basic Computer Skills 12
 Logistics
Facilitator: JASSON L. DOMITION
[Link] (IFM)
PGDE(UDSM)
email: [Link]@[Link]
Office: Third Floor, ICT.
Consultation Time
Thursday
12:00 -14:00 hrs
Or
By appointment
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 2
 OPERATING SYSTEM (OS)
• 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.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 3
 Cont…
• Some popular Operating Systems include
Linux Operating System, Windows Operating
System, VMS, OS/400, AIX, z/OS, Mac OS,
Adroid OS etc.
Definition
• An operating system is a program that acts as
an interface between the user and the
computer hardware and controls the
execution of all kinds of programs.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 4
 Cont…

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 5

 Cont…

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 6

 Cont…
Following are some of important functions of
an operating System.
• Memory Management
• Processor Management
• Device Management
• File Management
• Security

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 7

 Cont…
• Control over system performance
• Job accounting
• Error detecting aids
• Coordination between other software and
users

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 8

 Cont…
 Memory Management
• Memory management refers to management of Primary
Memory or Main Memory.
• Main memory is a large array of words or bytes where
each word or byte has its own address.
• Main memory provides a fast storage that can be accessed
directly by the CPU.
• For a program to be executed, it must in the main memory.
• An Operating System does thefollowing activities for
memory management

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 9

 Cont…
• Keeps tracks of primary memory, i.e., what part
of it are in use by whom, what part are not in
use.
• In multiprogramming, the OS decides which
process will get memory when and how much.
• Allocates the memory when a process requests
it to do so.
• De-allocates the memory when a process no
longer needs it or has been terminated.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 10
 Cont…
 Processor Management
• In multiprogramming environment, the OS decides which
process gets the processor when and for how much time.
• This function is called process scheduling.
• An Operating System does the following activities for
processor management −
– Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. The program
responsible for this task is known as traffic controller.
– Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process.
– De-allocates processor when a process is no longer required.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 11

 Cont…
 Device Management
• An Operating System manages device communication via
their respective drivers.
• It does the following activities for device management −
• Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for this
task is known as the I/O controller.
• Decides which process gets the device when and for how
much time.
• Allocates the device in the efficient way.
• De-allocates devices.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 12
 Cont…
File Management
• A file system is normally organized into directories for
easy navigation and usage.
• These directories may contain files and other
directions.
• An Operating System does the following activities
for file management −
• Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc.
The collective facilities are often known as file
system.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 13
 Cont…
• Decides who gets the resources.
• Allocates the resources.
• De-allocates the resources.
• Other Important Activities OF THE OS
Security − By means of password and similar
other techniques, it prevents unauthorized
access to programs and data.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 14

 Cont…
 Control over system performance − Recording delays
between request for a service and response from the 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 softwares and users −
Coordination and assignment of compilers, interpreters,
assemblers and other software to the various users of the
computer systems.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 15

 Types of Operating Systems
• In this chapter, we will discuss some of the
important types of operating systems which are
most commonly used.
1. Batch operating system
• The users of a batch operating system do not
interact with the computer directly.
• Each user prepares his job on an off-line device
like punch cards and submits it to the computer
operator.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 16
 Cont…
• To speed up processing, jobs with similar
needs are batched together and run as a
group.
• The programmers leave their programs with
the operator and the operator then sorts the
programs with similar requirements into
batches.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 17

 Cont…
The problems with Batch Systems are as
follows −
•Lack of interaction between the user and the
job.
•CPU is often idle, because the speed of the
mechanical I/O devices is slower than the CPU.
•Difficult to provide the desired priority.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 18

 Cont…
2. Time-sharing operating systems
•Time-sharing is a technique which enables many
people, located at various terminals, to use a
particular computer system at the same time.
• Time-sharing or multitasking is a logical
extension of multiprogramming.
•Processor's time which is shared among multiple
users simultaneously is termed as time-sharing.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 19

 Cont…
• The main difference between
Multiprogrammed Batch Systems and Time-
Sharing Systems is that in case of
Multiprogrammed batch systems, the
objective is to maximize processor use,
whereas in Time-Sharing Systems, the
objective is to minimize response time.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 20

 Cont…
• Multiple jobs are executed by the CPU by switching
between them, but the switches occur so frequently.
• Thus, the user can receive an immediate response.
For example, in a transaction processing, the
processor executes each user program in a short
burst or quantum of computation.
• That is, if n users are present, then each user can get
a time quantum.
• When the user submits the command, the response
time is in few seconds at most.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 21
 Cont…
• The operating system uses CPU scheduling and
multiprogramming to provide each user with a small portion of
a time. Computer systems that were designed primarily as
batch systems have been modified to time-sharing systems.
• Advantages of Timesharing operating systems are as follows −

• Provides the advantage of quick response.

• Avoids duplication of software.

• Reduces CPU idle time.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 22
 Cont…
Disadvantages of Time-sharing operating
systems are as follows −
•Problem of reliability.
•Question of security and integrity of user
programs and data.
•Problem of data communication.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 23

 Cont…
3. Distributed operating System
•Distributed systems use multiple central processors to serve
multiple real-time applications and multiple users.
• Data processing jobs are distributed among the processors
accordingly.
•The processors communicate with one another through various
communication lines (such as high-speed buses or telephone
lines).
•These are referred as loosely coupled systems or distributed
systems. Processors in a distributed system may vary in size and
function. These processors are referred as sites, nodes,
computers, and so on.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 24
 Cont…
• The advantages of distributed systems are as follows −
• With resource sharing facility, a user at one site may be able
to use the resources available at another.
• Speedup the exchange of data with one another via electronic
mail.
• If one site fails in a distributed system, the remaining sites can
potentially continue operating.
• Better service to the customers.
• Reduction of the load on the host computer.
• Reduction of delays in data processing.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 25

 Cont…
4. Network operating System
•A Network Operating System runs on a server and provides the
server the capability to manage data, users, groups, security,
applications, and other networking functions.
•The primary purpose of the network operating system is to
allow shared file and printer access among multiple computers
in a network, typically a local area network (LAN), a private
network or to other networks.
•Examples of network operating systems include Microsoft
Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX,
Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, and BSD.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 26

 Cont…
• The advantages of network operating
systems are as follows −
• Centralized servers are highly stable.
• Security is server managed.
• Upgrades to new technologies and hardware
can be easily integrated into the system.
• Remote access to servers is possible from
different locations and types of systems.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 27
 Cont…
• The disadvantages of network operating
systems are as follows −
• High cost of buying and running a server.
• Dependency on a central location for most
operations.
• Regular maintenance and updates are
required.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 28

 Cont…
5. Real Time operating System
•A real-time system is defined as a data processing
system in which the time interval required to process
and respond to inputs is so small that it controls the
environment.
•The time taken by the system to respond to an input
and display of required updated information is termed
as the response time.
•So in this method, the response time is very less as
compared to online processing.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 29
 Cont…
• Real-time systems are used when there are rigid time
requirements on the operation of a processor or the
flow of data and real-time systems can be used as a
control device in a dedicated application.
• A real-time operating system must have well-
defined, fixed time constraints, otherwise the system
will fail.
• For example, Scientific experiments, medical imaging
systems, industrial control systems, weapon systems,
robots, air traffic control systems, etc
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 30
 Cont…
• There are two types of real-time operating systems.
 Hard real-time systems
• Hard real-time systems guarantee that critical tasks
complete on time.
• In hard real-time systems, secondary storage is limited
or missing and the data is stored in ROM.
• In these systems, virtual memory is almost never
found.
 Soft real-time systems
• Soft real-time systems are less restrictive.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 31
 Cont…
• A critical real-time task gets priority over
other tasks and retains the priority until it
completes.
• Soft real-time systems have limited utility than
hard real-time systems.
• For example, multimedia, virtual reality,
Advanced Scientific Projects like undersea
exploration and planetary rovers, etc.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 32

 Operating System - Services
• An Operating System provides services to
both the users and to the programs.
• It provides programs an environment to
execute.
• It provides users the services to execute the
programs in a convenient manner.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 33

 Cont…
• Following are a few common services provided by
an operating system −
• Program execution
• I/O operations
• File System manipulation
• Communication
• Error Detection
• Resource Allocation
• Protection
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 34
 Cont…
• The advantage of using Operating System
• Allows you to hide details of hardware by
creating an abstraction
• Easy to use with a GUI
• Offers an environment in which a user may
execute programs/applications
• The operating system must make sure that
the computer system convenient to use
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 35
 Cont…
• Operating System acts as an intermediary
among applications and the hardware
components
• It provides the computer system resources
with easy to use format
• Acts as an intermediator between all
hardware's and software's of the system

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 36

 Cont…
• Disadvantages of using Operating System
• If any issue occurs in OS, you may lose all the
contents which have been stored in your
system
• Operating system's software is quite expensive
for small size organization which adds burden
on them. Example Windows
• It is never entirely secure as a threat can occur
at any time
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 37
 Components of Operating System
• The components of an operating system play
a key role to make a variety of computer
system parts work together. The operating
components are discussed below.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 38

 Cont…
1. Kernel
•The kernel in the OS provides the basic level of control on all
the computer peripherals.
•In the operating system, the kernel is an essential
component that loads firstly and remains within the main
memory.
•So that memory accessibility can be managed for the
programs within the RAM, it creates the programs to get
access from the hardware resources.
•It resets the operating states of the CPU for the best
operation at all times.
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 39
 Cont…
2. User Interface
•A GUI or user interface (UI) is the part of an OS
that permits an operator to get the information.
A user interface based on text displays the text
as well as its commands which are typed over a
command line with the help of a keyboard.

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 40

 Cont…
• The OS-based applications mainly provide a specific
user interface for efficient communication.
• The main function of a user interface of an application
is to get the inputs from the operator & to provide o/ps
to the operator.
• But, the sorts of inputs received from the user interface
as well as the o/p types offered by the user interface
may change from application to application. The UI of
any application can be classified into two types namely
GUI (graphical UI) & CLI (command line user interface).
GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER
07/30/25 41
Skills
 Cont…
• Thus, this is all about an overview of an
operating system.
• The main components of an OS mainly include
kernel, API or application program interface,
user interface & file system, hardware devices
and device drivers.
• Here is a question for you, what are the
different types of an OS?

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 42

 Cont…
• Two most popular kernels are Monolithic and
MicroKernels
• Process, Device, File, I/O, Secondary-Storage,
Memory management are various functions of
an Operating System
• Batch, Multitasking/Time Sharing,
Multiprocessing, Real Time, Distributed,
Network, Mobile are various types of
Operating Systems
07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 43
 Summary

• An operating system is a software which acts as an

interface between the end user and computer
hardware
• Operating systems were first developed in the late
1950s to manage tape storage
• The kernel is the central component of a computer
operating systems. The only job performed by the
kernel is to the manage the communication between
the software and the hardware

07/30/25 GST 04102: BASIC COMPUTER Skills 44