Operating Systems I
Introduction to Operating Systems
MCT260-Operating Systems I
Primary Learning Objective
Understand the functions, terminology, and
evolution of operating systems (OS)
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Specific Learning Objectives
• Describe the interface between a user and the
computer, application software and the OS the
hardware and the OS
• Recognize how an operating system manages
the basic processes within a computer
• Identify and define operating system key terms
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Lesson Overview
• What are the basic functions of an operating
system?
• What do operating systems have in
common?
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What is a Computer?
• Webster says that it is an electronic device
designed to accept data, perform prescribed
mathematical and logical operation at a high
speed, and display the results of these
operations.
• Where could we get another definition?
• http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/c/compu
ter.html
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Main Components of a Computer
•
•
•
•
•
Input devices
Output devices
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Memory (primary storage)
Mass storage device (secondary storage)
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Why Have an OS?
• There are many types of computers
intended for various purposes. Therefore,
they operate in different ways.
• The operating system dictates what the
computer can do and how the computer
does it.
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What is an OS?
• An operating system is a computer program
that manages the basic tasks within a
computer, coordinates the interaction of
hardware and software so all components
will work together, and provides support for
the use of other types of software such as
application software and utilities.
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Loading the Operating System
• Booting refers to the process of powering
on a computer and loading the OS.
• The startup programs are stored on the
ROM BIOS chip.
• The Power On Self Test (POST) makes sure
the computer contains the necessary
components and that they are functional.
• The last step is locating and loading the OS
into RAM.
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Commonalties of Operating Systems
All operating systems provides an interface
between
• hardware and applications
• user and applications
• user and hardware
They all contain a set of basic programming
instructions that translates requests from
applications into commands that the hardware
can understand and perform (machine language).
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Basic Tasks of Operating Systems
• Configures itself by loading additional software
known as device drivers that manage a specific
type of hardware component.
• Customizes the computer with optional software
such antivirus software before the end of the
boot process
• Displays a user interface
– Graphical User Interface (GUI)
– Command Line Interface (CLI)
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Basic Tasks of Operating Systems
• Provide support services to applications
– starting and supervising application
software programs
– allocating memory to those programs
– manages data storage
• Provide basic input/output (I/O) support
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Basic Tasks of Operating Systems
• Manage the file system
– Provide a file-organization system to keep track
of files on a disk
– Provide a set of disk management tools that
enable the user to move, copy, erase, create, and
view files and directories (folders)
– Provide a way for the user to load and execute
programs
• Manage system resources such memory or RAM
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Basic Tasks of Operating Systems
• Resolve system error or problems
• Provides help
• Provides a means of optimizing the systems
performance
• Provides a variety of tools for
troubleshooting
• Later OS’s provided support for
communications with other computers
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How OS Accomplishes Tasks
• Through software
– Windows based OS’s uses the Control
Panel and ‘Plug and Play’ to setup device
drivers
– DOS uses system level files (config.sys
and autoexec.bat) to configure device
drivers
• Through hardware using controllers and
adapter boards
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Software
Applications
Operating System
Mouse
Keyboard
Disk Controllers
Modem
NIC
Monitor
Printer
Hardware
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Identify and Define Key Terms
• device, device driver, application software,
system software, graphical user interface,
command line, boot, bootstrap, RAM,
ROM, BIOS, CPU, command prompt,
internal commands, external commands
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Review
• An operating system is a program that acts as an
intermediary between a user and a computer and
the computer hardware.
• The purpose of an OS is to provide an
environment in which the user can execute
programs in a convenient and efficient manner.
• The primary goal of an OS is to make the
computer system convenient to use.
• The secondary goal is to use the computer
hardware in an efficient manner.
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References
• http://goforit.unk.edu/cscourse.htm
– Choose Operating Systems or MS_DOS
– Next choose the Notes link
• http://www.webopedia.com
• http://www.whatis.com
• Use a search engine to find a different
source
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Homework Assignment
• Reading:
• Windows XP Textbook – Chap 1
• CLI Textbook - pp.3-20
• References: Internet
• Lab Exercise: Functions of an OS
• Homework: OS Types and Terms
• Due Date: In One Week from Today
• Bring a floppy disk to the next class
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