Chapter 5
System Software
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Key Words & Terms
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Add Printer Wizard: 打印机添加程序
antivirus utility :防病毒工具
backup:备份
backup program:备份软件
Boot Camp：BC 软件（使苹果机可使用Windows系统）
booting:启动
cold boot:冷启动
computer support specialist：计算机系统维护专家
Dashboard Widgets：苹果机软件包
desktop:台式机
desktop operating system :桌面操作系统
device driver:设备驱动程序
diagnostic utility:诊断工具
dialog box:对话框
Disk cleanup:磁盘清理
Disk defragmenter:磁盘碎片整理工具
embedded operating system:嵌入式操作系统
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Key Words & Terms
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file:文件
file compression program:文件压缩工具
folder:文件夹
fragmented:碎化
graphical user interface (GUI):图形用户界面
Help:帮助
icon:图标
language translator:翻译程序
Leopard：苹果机软件
Linux
Mac OS
Mac OS X
menu:菜单
multitasking:多任务
network operating system (NOS) : 网络操作系统
network server:网络服务器
One Button Checkup:一种系统工具软件
operating system:操作系统
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Key Words & Terms
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platform:平台
pointer:指针
sectors:扇区
software environment:软件环境
Spotlight：苹果机软件
stand-alone operating system:个人操作系统
system software:系统软件
tracks:磁道
troubleshooting program:故障诊断软件
uninstall utility:卸载工具
UNIX:一种网络操作系统
user interface:用户界面
utility:工具软件
utility suite:工具软件包
virus：病毒
warm boot: 热启动
window: 窗口
Windows
Windows Add Printer Wizard: Windows打印机添加程序
Windows Update: Windows升级程序
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Competencies (Page 1 of 2)
• Describe the differences between system
software and application software
• Discuss the four types of system software
• Discuss the basic functions, features, and
categories of operating systems
• Describe the Windows,
Mac OS, UNIX, &
Linux operating systems
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Competencies (Page 2 of 2)
• Describe the purpose of utilities and utility
suites
• Identify the five most essential utilities
• Discuss Windows utility programs
• Describe device drivers, including printer
drivers
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Introduction
Computers and computer applications are
ubiquitous in our lives so much so that we
expect them to “be there when we need
them”. We often give little thought to the
processes and programs running behind the
scenes to keep our computers functioning
effectively. These kinds of programs and
processes (i.e. operating systems, utility
programs, device drivers, etc…) fall under
the topic of system software and are covered
in this chapter.
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System Software
• Handles technical details
• Works with end users, application
software, and computer hardware
• Four types of programs
– Operating system
– Utilities
– Device drivers
– Language translators
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Operating Systems
• Manage computer resources
• Provide an interface between the users and
computer
• Runs applications
• A collection of programs that handle
technical tasks
• Every computer has an operating
system
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Functions of an Operating
System
• Performs three types of functions
– Manages computer resources
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Coordinate memory, processing storage, and printers
Monitor system performance
Provide security
Start-up the computer
– Provides user interface
• Character-based interface
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
– Runs applications
• Multitasking
• Foreground & background applications
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Features of an Operating System
• Booting
• Features in common with application
software
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Icons
Pointers
Windows
Menus
Dialog boxes
Help
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Categories of Operating Systems
• Hundreds of operating systems
• Three basic categories
– Embedded operating systems – hand-held
– Network operating systems – linked computers
– Stand-alone operating systems – desktop
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More on Operating Systems
• OS often called software environment or
platform
• Operating systems commonly used by
individuals
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Windows – most widely used
Mac OS – powerful and easy to use
UNIX – network; originally designed for Web
LINUX – non proprietary; free from the Web
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Windows
• The most popular microcomputer
operating system – over 90 percent of
the market
• Comes in a variety of different versions
• Windows XP is
the most widely used
version
• Windows Vista was
released in late 2006
Return
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Mac OS
• An operating system designed to run on
Apple computers
• Not used as widely as Windows
• One of the most innovative operating systems
• Mac OS X is the latest version
• The next version of Mac OS, Leopard, to
be introduced in early 2007
Return
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UNIX and LINUX
• UNIX operating system
– Originally designed to run on minicomputers on a
network
– Used by powerful microcomputers
• LINUX is a version of UNIX
– Not proprietary
– Open source
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Utilities
• Specialized programs to make computing
easier
• Most essential utilities
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Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
Antivirus programs
Uninstall programs
Backup programs
File compression programs
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Windows Utilities
• Backup
• Disk Cleanup
• Disk Defragmenter
Accessing Windows XP utilities:
Click Start, Select All Programs, Select Accessories,
Choose System Tools
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Backup
• Utility program included
with many Windows
versions
• Makes a copy of all files or
selected files that have been
saved on a disk
• Helps prevent against
disk failure
Return
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Disk Cleanup
• Identifies and eliminates
nonessential files
• Frees up valuable space
and improves system
performance
Return
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Disk Defragmenter
• Identifies and eliminates unnecessary
fragments
• Rearranges files and
unused disk space to
optimize operations
• Speeds up file access
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Utility Suites
• A group of several utility programs bundled
for sale
• Buying the package is economical
• Popular suites
– Norton System Works
– McAfee Office
– V Communications
SystemSuite
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Device Drivers
• Specialized programs that allow
communication between a device
and the computer
• Loaded into memory each
time a computer is started
• When a new device is added,
new device drivers must be installed
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Virus Protection and
Internet Security
• Internet Security Suite
– Runs a number of
programs
– Continually monitors your
computer
• VirusScan
– Controls the frequency of
searches for viruses
– Quarantines or deletes
infected files
• PrivacyService
– Helps protect your privacy
online
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Discussion Questions (Page 1 of 2)
• Describe system software. What are the four
types of system programs?
• What are the basic functions of every
operating system? What are the three basic
operating system categories?
• Explain the differences and similarities
between Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
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Discussion Questions (Page 2 of 2)
• Discuss utilities. What are the five most
essential utilities? What is a utility suite?
• Explain the role of device drivers. Discuss
the Add Printer Wizard and Windows Update.
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The End of Chapter 5
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