Transcript Computers: Understanding Technology, 3e

Chapter 4
System Software
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Presentation Overview
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The Function of System Software
The Function of the Operating System
Software User Interfaces
Personal Computer Operating Systems
Server Operating Systems
Operating Systems for Handheld Devices
Utility Programs and Translators
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The Function of System Software
What is the function of system software?
– tells computer what to do and how to do it
– issues instructions to perform actions in a certain
order, allowing hardware to process data into
information
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The Function of System Software
Two Categories
of Software
–Application
software includes
programs that
perform one task
–System software
controls the
operations of a
computer system
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The Function of the
Operating System
What is the function of the operating system?
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–
–
manages main memory, or RAM
configures and controls peripheral devices
manages essential file operations
monitors system performance
provides a user interface
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The Function of the
Operating System
Commonly Used Operating Systems for Personal Computers
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The Function of the
Operating System
Booting a
computer
is a series
of steps
that
displays
the OS
desktop on
the screen.
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The Function of the
Operating System
Managing Memory
– Throughput – a measure of computer’s performance
– Buffers – hold information and data waiting to
be transferred from input or output device
– Print spooling – holds document in buffer until
ready to be printed
– Multitasking – working on two or more applications
at the same time
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The Function of the
Operating System
Managing Memory
– Driver enables the operating system to communicate
with a peripheral device, such as a keyboard, monitor,
mouse, modem, printer, or disk drive.
– File manager maintains a record of all stored files and
their locations, allowing a user to quickly locate and
retrieve files.
– Performance monitor checks the computer system’s
speed and efficiency, as well as performance of CPU,
memory, and storage disks.
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Software User Interfaces
Command
line
interfaces
require
users to
type a line
of code at
a prompt
telling the
computer
what to do.
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Software User Interfaces
Graphical
user
interfaces
use pictures
or text
symbols
(icons) to
stand for
complex
commands.
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Software User Interfaces
Graphical User Interfaces
– Desktop – screen on which graphical elements are
displayed
– Display window – area of the screen used to
display a program or data
– Menu – set of options that can be activated with
the click of a mouse
– Common command icons – common actions
such as opening, saving, or printing files
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Personal Computer
Operating Systems
Windows Operating System
– Windows 2000 Professional – used for business
and network computers
– Windows XP Professional – designed for fast,
powerful computers with much memory and hard
disk space
– Windows Vista – improves security, helps
diagnose and repair system problems, and makes
networking easier
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Personal Computer
Operating Systems
Macintosh Operating System
– Mac OS – has impressive graphics and ease of use
– Mac OS 9 – better speech recognition, supports
files up to 2 terabytes, provides for many users,
allows file encryption, and supports voice-entered
passwords
– Mac OS X – uses UNIX operating system
foundation
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Personal Computer
Operating Systems
IBM OS/2
– runs programs written for DOS and Windows
systems
– used mainly for business applications
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Personal Computer
Operating Systems
IBM OS/2
– runs programs written for DOS and Windows
systems
– used mainly for business applications
Linux
– an open-source software program (programming
code is free to the public)
– praised for stability, flexibility, security, low cost
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Server Operating Systems
Novell Netware
– widely used for local area networks
– allows retrieval or saving of files from server’s
shared hard disk
– prints using a shared printer
– allows working off line as if on a stand-alone
personal computer
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Server Operating Systems
Windows
– Windows 2000 Server – Datacenter Server can
support up to 23 processors and 64 gigabytes of data
– Windows 2003 Server – Standard Edition intended
for small- to medium-sized business; Datacenter
Edition supports multiple servers
– Windows Longhorn Server – has Windows Vista
benefits and offers server-specific tools, protocols,
and utilities for network management
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Server Operating Systems
UNIX and Linux
– UNIX – a cross-platform system that runs any
type of computer from PC to supercomputer
– Linux – an open-source software program
designed for use with servers and large computer
systems, including midrange servers and
mainframes
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Operating Systems for
Handheld Devices
Palm OS
provides a graphical user interface used in various
versions of Palm PDAs, Sony PDAs, and
smartphones
Windows Mobile
used in wireless devices and other systems with
embedded processors, such as smartphones and
PocketPC PDAs
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Utility Programs and Translators
Utility programs and their functions
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Utility Programs and Translators
Utility programs and their functions (continued)
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Utility Programs and Translators
Utility programs and their functions (continued)
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Utility Programs and Translators
Firewalls prevent unauthorized users from accessing a
personal computer or network connected to the Internet.
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Utility
Programs
and
Translators
Shown is a simple
payroll program
written in DOS BASIC.
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On the Horizon
Based on the information presented in this
chapter and your own experience, what do
you think is on the horizon?
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