FUNDAMENTALS OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

CHAPTER 2 Processing and Memory Devices: Power, Speed, and Capacity

Hardware Components System unit

o Houses the components responsible for processing
Central processing unit (CPU) (the CPU and memory)
o Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU): performs calculations
All other computer system devices are linked either directly
and makes logical comparisons
or indirectly into the system unit housing
o Control unit: accesses, decodes and coordinates
data in CPU and other devices Processing Characteristics and Functions
Primary memory: holds program instructions and data for
processing Clock speed: series of electronic pulses produced at a
Secondary storage: more permanent storage predetermined rate that affects machine cycle time
o Clock speed is often measured in megahertz (MHz),
Input and output devices
or millions of cycles per second
Communications devices
o Clock speed for personal computers is in the
multiple gigahertz (GHz), or billions of cycles per
second, range
Physical characteristics of the CPU
o Digital circuits on chips
o To turn a digital circuit on or off, electrical current
flows through silicon

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Memory Characteristics and Functions: Storage Capacity Multiprocessing

Multiprocessing: simultaneous execution of two or more

instructions
o Multicore microprocessor: shares workload among
two or more independent processors in a single
computer
o Parallel processing: links several processors to
operate at the same time, or in parallel
o Grid computing: collection of computers working to
solve a common problem

Secondary Storage and Input and Output Devices

Secondary storage
o Also called permanent storage
o Nonvolatile
o Greater capacity and greater economy than
memory
Access methods, storage capacities, and portability required
Memory Characteristics and Functions: Types of Memory are determined by the information systems objectives
Random access memory (RAM) Access Methods
o Temporary
o Volatile Sequential access: data must be accessed in the order in
Read-only memory (ROM) which it is stored
o Usually nonvolatile o Sequential access storage devices (SASDs)
Direct access: data can be retrieved in any order
o Direct access storage devices (DASDs)

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Secondary Storage Devices o Input and display devices that perform data entry
and input at the same time
Magnetic tapes Touch-sensitive screens
o Secondary storage used primarily for backups o Allow display screens to act as input devices as well
Magnetic disks as output devices
o Direct access secondary storage, e.g., hard disk Bar-code scanners
RAID o Employs a laser scanner to read a bar-coded label
o Stores extra bits so that data can be reconstructed if
Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices
system fails o Code data on banking forms, such as checks
SAN
Pen input devices
o Provides high-speed connections between data o Activate a command, enter handwritten notes, and
storage devices and computers over a network draw objects
Optical disks
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
o Direct access optical disc, e.g., CD-ROM o Employs a microchip with an antenna to broadcast
Digital video disk (DVD) its unique identifier and location to a receiver
o Stores several gigabytes of data
Flash memory Output Devices
o Nonvolatile silicon computer chip
Display monitors (CRTs)
Input Devices o Output quality measured by number of pixels and
dot pitch
Personal computer input devices Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
o Keyboard, mouse o Easier on eyes, use less electricity, take up less
Speech-recognition technology space than CRTs
o Input devices that recognize human speech Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)
Digital cameras o Directly emits light rather than using backlight
o Input device used with PC to record/store images in o Sharper colors and thinner displays
digital form Printers and plotters: hard copy output
Terminals o Printers: laser, inkjet

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 o Plotters: used for general design work
Digital audio player
o Stores, organizes, and plays digital music files
Overview of Software
Computer programs: sequences of instructions for the
computer
Documentation: describes program functions
Systems software: coordinates the activities of hardware
and programs
Application software: helps users solve particular problems
Supporting Individual, Group, and Organizational Goals
Sphere of influence: the scope of problems and
opportunities addressed by a particular organization
o Personal
o Workgroup
o Enterprise
Systems Software
Controlling operations of computer hardware is one of the
most critical functions of systems software
Also supports application programs problem-solving
capabilities
Different types of systems software include:
o Operating systems
o Utility programs
Operating Systems
Operating system (OS): programs that control the hardware
and interface with applications
Common hardware functions
o Get input (e.g., keyboard)
o Retrieve data from disks and store data on disks
o Display information on a monitor or printer
Combinations of OSs, computers, and users:
o Single computer with a single user
o Single computer with multiple users
o Multiple computers
o Special-purpose computers

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 Activities performed by the operating system Memory management
o Perform common computer hardware functions o Converts a users request for data or instructions to
o Provide a user interface and input/output the physical location where the data or instructions
management are stored
o Provide a degree of hardware independence
o Manage system memory
o Manage processing tasks
o Provide networking capability
o Control access to system resources
o Manage files
Common hardware functions
o Get input from keyboard or some other input
device
o Retrieve data from disks
o Store data on disks Processing tasks
o Display information on a monitor or printer o Multitasking: more than one program running at
o the same time
o Time-sharing: more than one person using a
User interface
computer system at the same time
o Allows individuals to access and command the
o Scalability: ability to handle an increasing number
computer system
of concurrent users smoothly
o Command-based user interface: uses text
commands Networking capability: aids users in connecting to a
o Graphical user interface (GUI): uses icons and computer network
menus to send commands to the computer system Access to system resources
Hardware independence o Protection against unauthorized access
o Application program interface (API): allows o Logins and passwords
applications to make use of the operating system

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 File management o Windows XP Media Center Edition: incorporates
o Ensures that files in secondary storage are: additional multimedia features
o Available when needed o Vista: latest version of Windows
o Protected from access by unauthorized users Apple operating systems
o Often provides cutting edge tools in graphics and
Current Operating Systems music not available from Microsoft
o Mac OS X
o Jaguar (OS X.2)
o Panther (OS X.3)
o Tiger (OS X.4): support for 64-bit computing,
Dashboard, Spotlight, etc.
Linux
o Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991
o Open-source product
o Only the kernel of an OS
o Several distributions available with
capabilities/applications that form a complete OS
o Examples: Red Hat Linux, Caldera OpenLinux

Workgroup Operating Systems

Windows Server
Microsoft PC operating systems UNIX
o PC-DOS and MS-DOS: early, command-driven OSs NetWare
o Windows XP: greatly improved stability and security Red Hat Linux
over previous versions of Windows Mac OS X Server
o Windows XP N: for European market
o Windows XP Professional X64: for computers with Enterprise Operating Systems
newer 64-bit capabilities
z/OS

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 MPE/iX and HP-UX
Linux

Operating Systems for Small Computers, Embedded

Computers, and Special-Purpose Devices

Palm OS
Windows Embedded
Windows Mobile

Application Software

Give users the ability to solve problems and perform specific

tasks
Interact with systems software; systems software then
directs the hardware to perform tasks

Types and Functions of Application Software

Proprietary software: unique program for a specific

Personal Application Software
application, usually developed and owned by a single
company Serves the needs of an individual user
Off-the-shelf software: existing software program that can Includes personal productivity software
be purchased o Enables users to improve their personal
Customized package effectiveness
Software suite: collection of single application programs
packaged in a bundle
o Microsoft Office: most popular general-purpose
software suite

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 o Other general-purpose software suites: Corels
WordPerfect Office, Lotus SmartSuite, Sun
Microsystemss StarOffice
Integrated application packages: offer a range of
capabilities for less money than software suites
o Example: Microsoft Works
Workgroup Application Software
Workgroup application software: support teamwork,
whether people are in the same location or dispersed
around the world
Groupware: software that helps groups of people work
together more efficiently and effectively
Enterprise Application Software
Software that benefits an entire organization
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software: programs
that manage a companys vital business operations for an
entire multisite, global organization
Application Software for Information, Decision Support,
and Specialized Purposes
Used in businesses of all sizes and types to increase profits
or reduce costs
Available in every industry
o Example: analysis to increase the cure rate for
cancer
Programming Languages
Sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules for
constructing statements
Allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed
by a computer
Syntax: a set of rules associated with a programming
language
Different languages have characteristics that make them
appropriate for particular types of applications
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Software Issues and Trends
Software issues and trends receiving increasing attention
o Software bugs
o Copyrights and licenses
o Software upgrades
o Global software support
Software Bugs
Software bug: defect in a computer program that keeps it
from performing as it is designed to perform
Tips for reducing impact of software bugs include:
o Register all software so that you can receive bug
alerts, fixes, and patches
o Check the manual or read-me files for work-arounds
o Access support area of the manufacturers Web site
for patches
o Install the latest software updates
Copyrights and Licenses
Most software products are protected by law using
copyright or licensing provisions
o In some cases, you are given unlimited use of
software on one or two computers
o In other cases, you pay for your usageif you use
the software more, you pay more
Some software now requires that you register or activate it
before it can be fully used
Software Upgrades
Software companies periodically revise their programs and
sell new versions
Revised software
o May offer new and valuable enhancements
o May just contain complex program code changes
that offer little in terms of additional capabilities
Software upgrades usually cost much less than the original
purchase price
Global Software Support
For large, global companies, getting adequate software
support at all their locations for their standardized,
companywide systems is a big challenge
Large vendors such as Sybase, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard
typically contract out support for their software to local
providers
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