System Software: Operating
Systems and Utility Programs
Chapter 5
Overview
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This chapter covers:
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Differences between system software and application software
Functions of and differences among operating systems
Various types of operating systems
Functions of and various types of utility programs
A look at the possible future of operating systems
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SOFTWARE
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
OPERATING
SYSTEM
UTILITIES
The operating system and utility
programs that control how a
computer works and allow you to
use your computer
APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
Programs that allow you to
perform specific tasks on a
computer
System Software and Application Software
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
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APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Starts and runs the computer
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Finds monitors, printers
Displays desktop
Launches applications
Manages files (storage)
Controls hardware
configuration
Protects from unauthorized use
Backup/recovery
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Word processing
Playing a game
Preparing taxes
Surfing the Web
Listening to our iPOD’s
Watching movies
4 Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
Understanding Computers:
System Software: The Operating System
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Operating system: A collection of programs that manage
and coordinate the activities taking place within a
computer system
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Acts as the
intermediary
(middleman)
between the
user and the
computer
Stored in the
WINDOWS folder
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Functions of an Operating System
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Interfacing with users
Command line vs. graphical user
interface (GUI)
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Too many icons on your desktop
can slow your computer down
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Functions of an Operating System
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Booting the computer
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Kernel is loaded into memory
Processes are started
msconfig used to control startup of processes
Configuring devices
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Device drivers are often needed
Plug and Play devices are recognized automatically
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Functions of an Operating System
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Managing resources and jobs
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File management
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Makes resources available to devices
Monitors for problems
Scheduling routines
Keeps track of files stored
on computer
Hierarchical format
Security
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Passwords
Biometric characteristics
Firewalls
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Processing Techniques for
Increased Efficiency
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The need for speed
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3 M ‘s:
 Multi-tasking
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Multi-threading
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The ability of an operating system to have more than one program
(task) open at one time
The ability to rotate between the steps with a task (called threads)
so that processing is completed faster and more efficiently
Multi-processing
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The ability of the operating system to support Multiple processors
(or multiple cores)
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performs work more efficiently, by each core taking a task, or each core
splitting up a task
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Processing Techniques for
Increased Efficiency
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The need for speed
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Memory management: Optimizing the use of main memory
(RAM)
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Virtual memory: Memory-management technique that uses hard drive
space as additional RAM
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Processing Techniques for
Increased Efficiency
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The need for speed
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Buffering and spooling: Used with printers and other peripheral
devices
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Buffer: area in RAM or on the hard drive designated to hold input and
output on their way in or out of the system
Spooling: placing items in a buffer so they can be retrieved by the
appropriate device when needed
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Review
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2 TYPES of software?
Functions of Operating System?
GUI?
Buffer and Spool?
What are the 3 “M”’s
What is memory management?
What are the main security features?
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
Operating Systems
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Personal operating system
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Network Server operating system
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Used by businesses
Designed to be installed on a special computer called a network server
Mobile operating systems
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Used by us
Designed to be installed on a single computer
In business, can connect to a Network server
Used in small devices, like phones, tablets
Embedded operating systems
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Used in non-computing devices, like Cars, GPS
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Server Operating Systems
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Differences Among Operating Systems
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Operating Systems are built for technology/hardware
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Types of CPU’s (processors) supported
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Desktop, Mobile, Server, etc.
Number of processors (single, multiple)
32-bit or 64-bit CPUs (64 bit is now standard)
Support for other technologies
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New types of buses (makes it speedy!)
Power-saving features (keeps the electric bill down)
Touch and gesture input (easy input)
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Operating Systems for Personal Computers
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DOS: Disk Operating System
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PC-DOS: Created originally for IBM microcomputers
MS-DOS: used with IBM-compatible computers
DOS traditionally used a command-line interface
Can enter DOS commands in Windows
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GUI Operating Systems
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
Windows Operating Systems (Microsoft)
Personal (predominate)
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Windows
Windows
Windows
Windows
Windows
Windows
Windows
Windows
Windows
Windows
Windows
Windows
1.x (DOS)
2.0 (DOS)
3.x (DOS,GUI)
95 (no DOS)
98
NT (32 bit)
ME (home networks)
2000 (wireless)
XP
Vista
7
8
Server
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Windows 2000
Windows 2003
Windows 2008
Windows Home Server (2011)
Windows 2012
16 bit, ran on 186, 286,386,
Pentium 1,11 III CPU’s
32 bit, Pentium IV CPU’s
64 bit, I3,I5,I7 CPU’s
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
Unix Operating Systems
UNIX
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Unix
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MAC
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late 1960s for midrange servers
Bell Laboratories
Linux
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Much less expensive than
Windows or Mac OS
Open Source
Linus Torvald
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
MAC OS (Apple machines)
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Based on the UNIX operating
system
Originally set the standard for
graphical user interfaces
Most recent personal version
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Mac OS X Mavericks
Traditionally code names based
on big cats (cheetah, puma, jaguar,
panther, tiger, leopard, snow leopard
and lion)
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New features like Time Machine,
Stacks, Quick Look, Boot Camp
Mobile Operating Systems
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Windows Mobile
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Designed for mobile phones
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Designed for consumer and
industrial devices that are not
personal computers
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Cash register, GPS devices, ATMs,
medical devices and robots.
Windows Automotive and Microsoft
Auto for cars
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Ford Sync
Android
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Linux based OS developed by
Open Handset Alliance (including
Google)
Code names based on deserts!
(froyo, gingerbread, honeycomb, ice
cream sandwich, Jelly bean, KitKat)
iPhone OS
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Look and feel of desktop versions
Windows Embedded
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BlackBerry Operating System
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Designed for Palm devices
Symbian OS
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Designed for BlackBerry devices
Palm OS and Palm webOS
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Designed for Apple Mobile phones
and mobile devices.
Designed for use with smart
phones like Nokia
Other mobile devices
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Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
Use Embedded Linux
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GPS devices, appliances
Larger Computer Operating Systems
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Larger computers sometimes use operating systems
designed solely for that type of computer
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IBM’s z/OS and i/5OS run on IBM mainframes
UniSys OS-2200 run on UniSys mainframes
Windows, UNIX, and Linux are also used with both
mainframes and supercomputers
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Sun Solaris, HP UX, IBM AIX
FYI: Linux computers can be linked together to form a
supercomputing cluster
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Review
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What are the two forms of DOS?
What are the 3 main PC operating systems?
What is the name of the file management utility in a
Windows operating system?
What are the two main types of software? S___ and A__
The first type has two categories: O___ and U___
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Which of the above performs “back-ups”?
Which one protects the PC from illegal use?
The need for speed:
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What are the “3 M’s”
What is virtual memory? Where is it?
What is buffering and spooling?
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
Utility Programs
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Utility program
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Many utilities are built into operating systems
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Software that performs a specific task, related to managing or
maintaining the computer system
File Management
Search
Diagnostic
Disk Management
Backup
Utilities are also available as stand-alone products and as
suites
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File Management Programs
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File management Utilities: Enable the user to perform file
management tasks, such as:
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Looking at the contents of a storage medium
Copying, moving, and renaming files and folders
Deleting files and folders
File management program in Windows is Windows Explorer
(Computer)
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Utility Programs
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Search tools:
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Diagnostic programs:
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Diagnose and repair problems related to your hard drive
Uninstall utilities:
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Evaluate your system and make recommendations for fixing
any errors found
Disk management programs:
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Designed to search for files on the user’s hard drive
Remove programs from your hard drive without leaving bits
and pieces behind
Clean up utilities:
Delete temporary files
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Utility Programs
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Backup and recovery utilities: Make the backup and
restoration process easier
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Backup: Duplicate copy of data or other computer content
Good backup procedures are critical for businesses
Individuals should back up important documents,
e-mail, photos, home video, etc.
Store backup data on a CD or DVD, second hard drive, flash
memory drive, or upload to the Internet
Back up your entire computer once all programs have been
installed, so your system can be restored to that
configuration.
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The Future of Operating Systems
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Will continue to become more user-friendly
Will eventually be driven primarily by a voice interface
Likely to continue to become more stable and self-healing
Will likely continue to include improved security features
and to support multiple processors and other
technological improvements
May be used primarily to access software available
through the Internet or other networks
27
Review
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What was the very first operating system for a personal
computer called?
Are operating systems today text-based?
What does the term “user interface” mean?
How many versions of Microsoft Windows are there?
What are the 2 most recent versions of Windows?
What are some of the things utility programs do?
Are utility programs built into the operating system?
Are utility programs sold separately?
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition