TOPIC 5

Adapted from slides provided by the authors of the textbook

“Computing Essentials 2017” by Timothy O'Leary and Linda O'Leary and Daniel O'Leary
“Discovering Computers 2011: Living in a Digital World” by Gary B. Shelly, Jeffrey J. Quasney, Misty E. Vermaat, Steven M Freund, and Susan L. Sebok
Learning Objectives

Describe the differences between system software and

1 application software.

2 Identify the four types of system software.

Explain the basic functions, features, and categories of

3 operating systems (OS).
Learning Objectives

4 Discuss the popular OS used today

5 Explain the purpose of utilities and utility suites.

6 Identify the four most essential utilities.

Outlines
Introduction Mobile Operating Systems
System Software Desktop Operating Systems
Operating Systems • Windows
• Functions • Mac OS
• Features • UNIX and Linux
• Categories • Virtualization
Utilities
Windows Utilities
Utility Suites
Device drivers
Language translators
A Look to the Future: Self-Healing Computers
Could Mean an End to Computer Crashes and
Performance Problems
Introduction
• Computers and computer applications
have become a part of the fabric of every
day life
• They are great as long as they are working
• We give little thought to the processes and
programs running behind the scenes to
keep them functioning effectively.
• Such programs (i.e. operating systems,
utility programs, and device drivers) are
the system software you learn about here.
System Software
Software is divided into two :
System software
Application software (Topic 6)
SOFTWARE

SYSTEM APPLICATION
SOFTWARE SOFTWARE
 System Software
System Software works with
end users, application
software, and computer
hardware to handle the
majority of technical details.
System Software
System software consists of FOUR(4) types of programs :
Operating system
Utilities
Device drivers
Language translators

Operating Device Language

Utilities
System Drivers translators
Operating System> Functions
An operating system (OS) coordinate computer resources,
provide an interface between users and the computer and run
applications.
OS Functions
1 2 3

1.Managing 1.Providing
1.Running
computer User
applications
resources Interface
Operating System> Functions
1. Managing computer resources: such
memory, processing, storage, I/O devices,
Coordinate
memory,
Manages computer Monitor system
processing,
resources performance
storage, printers
and monitors

Provide security Start-up the

Schedule tasks
computer
Operating System> Functions
2. Providing User Interface:
OS allows users to interact with application
programs and computer hardware through a User
Interface.
Graphical User Interface – GUI
Command Line Interface - CLI
 Operating Systems
Graphical User Interface
(GUI)
With a Graphical user
interface, you interact with
menus and visual images
Operating Systems
Command Line Interface (CLI) - With a Command-line
interface, a user uses the keyboard to enter data and
instructions
 Operating System> Functions
3. Running Applications: OS load and run applications such as word
processors and spreadsheets.
Most OS support multitasking – the ability to switch between different
applications stored in memory.
For example with multitasking you could have Word and Excel running at the same time
and switch easily between the two applications.
• Foreground – the program that you are currently working on is described as running in the
foreground.
• Background – the other programs are running in the background.
Operating Systems
Functions are the “product's answer to
the set of user tasks”;

Features are the “user tools” basic in

the product used to perform
the functions

Placing a telephone call is a function;

the dial tone and the touch-tone
keypad are features used to accomplish
the function.
 Operating System> Features
Booting – starting or restarting the computer
There are TWO (2) ways to boot a computer:

WARM BOOT COLD BOOT

occurs when the computer starting a computer that
is already on and you restart it has been turned off is called a
without cold boot.
turning off the power.
 Operating System > Features
• Features in common with application software
 Icons – graphics representations for a program, type of file
or function.
 Pointer – controlled by a mouse, trackball or touch screen.
 Windows – rectangular areas for displaying information and
running programs.
 Menus – provide a list of options or commands that can be
selected.
 Tabs – divide menus into major activity areas such as format
and page layout.
 Dialog boxes – typically provide information or request
input.
 Help – provide online assistance for operating system
functions and procedures.
 Gesture Control – ability to control operations with finger
movements such as swiping, sliding and pinching.

• Files and Folders

• Files are used to store data and programs
• Folders store related files.
 Categories of Operating Systems
THREE (3) basic categories
1. Embedded operating systems – RTOS (real-time
operating systems)
• Smartphones
• Smartwatches
• Video game systems Embedded OS control smartwatches
2. Stand-alone operating systems
• Also called desktop operating system
3. Network operating systems (linked computers)
• Windows Server, Linux, Unix
• OS stored on network server which coordinates all communication
between the other computers

Laptops use stand-alone OS

Mobile Operating Systems
• Mobile OS
• Embedded operating
system
Less complicated
and more specialized
for wireless
• Some of the best
known
Android
iOS
Windows Phone
Desktop Operating Systems
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
 Windows - Most Used OS
• Windows 8 • Windows 10
• Integrates the desktop OS • Merges Windows desktop and
with its mobile OS mobile operating systems
Mac OS
• Mac OS X runs on Apple
computers
• Two most recent versions:
• OS X Mavericks
• Improved power management
• OS X Yosemite
• New user interface
 UNIX and LINUX
• UNIX operating system
• Servers on the Web
• Mainframe computers
• Personal Computers
• LINUX - version of UNIX
• Alternative to windows
• Open source - free
• Google Chrome OS based on Linux
• Focuses on Internet connectivity and cloud
computing
• Speed is determined by the speed of the Internet
 Virtualization
• Ability to support multiple operating systems on a single physical
machine
• Virtualization software – operates as though it were >2 separate and
independent computers  virtual machine
• Each virtual machine appears as a separate independent computer
• Host operating system  OS of the physical machine
• Guest operating system  OS of the virtual machine
• Parallels
Allows a Mac user to run Windows programs
in OS X

OS X Yosemite running Windows 10 in a virtual machine

Utilities
Utilities are specialized programs designed to make computing easier
e.g. perform maintenance-type tasks.
Most essential utilities:
Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
• Recognizes and correct problems
Antivirus programs
• Guard your computer against viruses
Backup programs
• Copies of files to restore if necessary
File compression programs
• Reduces the size of files for more efficient storage
Making IT Work for You – Mac OS X Activity Monitor

• Has your computer ever just stopped responding? What do you do?
• Mac OS X Activity Monitor is designed to help.
Windows Utilities
Windows Operating Systems includes utilities such as:
• File History
• Can create a backup for your hard drive
• Disk Cleanup
• Identifies and eliminates non essential files
• Disk Defragmenter
• Rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize performance
File History
• Utility program included with Windows 8
• Makes a copy of all files in the libraries, contacts,
favorites and the desktop
• Helps prevent the effect of disk failure
Disk Cleanup
• Identifies and eliminates nonessential files
• Frees up valuable space and improves system performance
Disk Defragmenter
• Files are organized in tracks and sectors
• Tracks – concentric ring
• Sectors – wedge-shaped sections of a track
• Optimize drives - utility program
• Identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments
• Files become fragmented
• Broken up and stored in non contiguous space

• Rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize operations

Utility Suites
• Combine several programs into one package
• Less expensive
• Popular suites
• Bit Defender
• Norton Utilities
• Kaspersky
Device Drivers
• A device driver is a program that controls a particular type
of device that is attached to a computer.
• A driver provides a software interface to hardware devices
such as printers, displays, CD-ROM readers and so on.
Language Translators
• Computers are digital devices.
• All types of commands, data and instructions required to be
converted into machine code which is the combination of 0’s
and 1’s.
• The instructions is given to the computer in a language
which is similar to English and easier to understand.
• The computer translates these instructions into the machine
language with the help of language translators.
• Language translators are of THREE (3) types :
• assembler
• interpreter
• compiler
A Look to the Future – Self Healing Computers

• Self Healing Computers

• Could mean an end to computer crashes and performance
problems
• Fix software problems
• Reroute functions around broken hardware
• IBM’s Automatic Computing Initiative (ACI)
• Handles time-consuming maintenance
• Self-regulating and virtually invisible
• Self-maintaining servers
• Self-repairing
• Self-updating
• Self-protecting
Open-Ended Questions (Page 1 of 2)
1. Describe system software. Discuss each of the four types of
system programs.

2. Define operating systems. Describe the basic features and the

three categories of operating systems.

3. What are mobile operating systems? Describe leading mobile

operating systems.
Open-Ended Questions (Page 2 of 2)
4. What are desktop operating systems? Compare Windows, Mac OS,
Linux and Chrome OS. Discuss virtualization.

5. Discuss utilities. What are the most essential utilities? What is a utility
suite?
TOPIC 5
COMPLETE

Adapted from slides provided by the authors of the textbook

“Computing Essentials 2017” by Timothy O'Leary and Linda O'Leary and Daniel O'Leary
“Discovering Computers 2011: Living in a Digital World” by Gary B. Shelly, Jeffrey J. Quasney, Misty E. Vermaat, Steven M Freund, and Susan L. Sebok