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CODE 348-Computer Fundamentals and Applications
Week 1 - Midterm
Software
Compare and contrast application software and system software
Explain the role of information systems in the computer system in a timely and organized manner the different types of systems
software
This module covers the different operating systems used by
different computer systems of various categories.
Also discussed in this module are the different utility programs
that an operating system uses to keep the computer maintained
and working well.
Software
Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well- defined function. A program is a sequence of instructions written to
solve a particular problem.
There are two types of software
System Software
Application Software
System Software
The system software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control, and extend the processing capabilities of the computer
itself. System software is generally prepared by computer manufacturers. These software products comprise of programs written in
low- level languages, which interact with the hardware at a very basic level. System software serves as the interface between the
hardware and the end- us.
Operating Systems
An operating system (OS) is a set of programs that
coordinate all the activities among computer or mobile
device hardware.
Start and shut down a computer
Provide a user interface
Manage programs
Manage memory
Coordinate tasks
Configure devices
Monitor performance
Establish an Internet connection
Provide file management and other device or mediarelated tasks
Updating operating system software
Control a network
Administer security
Operating System Functions
Starting Computers and Mobile Devices
If a computer or mobile device is off, you press a power
button to turn it on
The process of starting or restarting a computer is
called booting
Cold boot
Turning on a computer that has been powered off
completely
Warm boot
Using the operating system to restart a computer
(discussed earlier in module 1)
An operating system includes various power options:
Sleep mode saves any open documents running programs or
apps to RAM, turns off all unneeded functions, and then places
the computer in a low- power state
Hibernate mode saves any open documents and run programs
or apps to an internal hard drive before removing power from the
computer or device.
User interface (UI)
Controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen
With a graphical user interface (GUI), you interact with menus and visual images
In a command- line interface, a user types commands represented by short keywords or abbreviations or presses special
keys on the keyboard to enter data and instructions
Manage Multitasking Environment
How an operating system handles programs directly affects
your productivity
Single tasking
allows a single user to perform only one task at a time is
called a Single- User Single- Tasking Operating System.
Functions like printing a document, downloading images,
etc., can be performed only one at a time
Multitasking
allows a single user to perform more than one task at a
time is called Single- User Multitasking Operating System
Foreground and background
A priority assigned to programs running in a multitasking
environment. The foreground contains the applications the user
is working on, and the background contains the applications that
are behind the scenes, such as certain operating
system functions, printing a document or accessing the network.
Memory management
optimizes the use of the computer or device’s internal
memory.
Single user and multiuser
A Single- User Operating System is a system in which only
one user can access the computer system at a time like a
common used in a desktop or laptop computer. A MultiUser Operating System is a system that allows more than
one user to access a computer system at one time like a server
allowing users to connect.
Virtual memory
is a portion of a storage medium functioning as additional
RAM
The operating system determines the order in which tasks are
processed
External Device Management
A driver is a small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specific device
Plug and Play automatically configures new devices as you install or connect them
POINT for Discussion:
How to uninstall a device attached to the computer.
Monitoring Performance
A performance monitor is a program that assesses and reports
information about various computer resources and devices
Connectivity
Operating systems typically provide a means to establish
Internet connections
Many programs, including operating systems, include
an automatic update feature that regularly provides new features
or corrections to the program.
Operating systems often provide users with a variety of tools related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs
Some operating systems are designed to work with a server on a network
These multiuser operating systems allow multiple users to share a printer, Internet access, files, and programs
A network administrator uses the server operating system to:
Add and remove users, computers, and other devices
Configure the network, install software and administer network security user
User management
A user account enables a user to sign in to, or access resources
on, a network or computer
A user name, or user ID, identifies a specific user
A password is a private combination of characters
associated with the user name