Chapter 05: System Software

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 Windows, Mac OS, UNIX, Linux, and virtualization

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 Windows’ Add a Device Wizard and Update

Introduction Computers are ubiquitous in our lives and we expect them to “be there when we need them”. We give little thought to the processes and programs running behind the scenes to keep them functioning effectively. Such programs (i.e. operating systems, utility programs, and device drivers) are the system software you learn about here.

System Software Handles the technical details Includes the operating system, utilities, device drivers, and language translators System software is not a single program but is a collection of programs that handles hundreds of technical details End-users focus on application programs more than the system software, but it is important to understand how system software works

Operating Systems A collection of programs that handle technical tasks, including managing computer resources Every computer has an operating system (OS), such as Windows 7 or Mac OS X The OS provides the interface between the user and computer, and is required to run applications Resources Coordinate input and outputs such as keyboard, microphones, printers, mouse, storage devices, and memory User interface (Key Term) Primarily graphical user interface (GUI) Use of icons (Key Term) Applications Word processing Spreadsheets Databases Supporting multitasking (Key Term) Windows most popular operating systems Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP (Key Term), Windows Vista (Key Term) MAC OS – designed to run Apple computers Unix – used by powerful microcomputers, servers on the Web, and minicomputers in network environment Linux – nonproprietary operating systems that run cross platform (Key Term) New photo.

Functions of an Operating System Manages computer resources 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 and background applications

Features of an Operating System Booting Features in common with application software Icons Pointers Windows Menus Dialog boxes Help Booting is the process of starting a computer Warm boot (Key Term) – computer is already on and you restart it without turning off the power Cold boot (Key Term) – starting a computer that has been turned off Files (Key Term) – used to store data and programs Folders (Key Term) – stores and organizes related files. May also house other folders

Categories of Operating Systems Hundreds of operating systems Three basic categories Embedded operating systems (handheld) Network operating systems (linked computers) Stand-alone operating systems (desktop) Operating system is sometimes called the software environment (Key Term) or platform Most are proprietary operating systems– owned and licensed by a corporation Non-proprietary – source code is available to the public Called open source Linux is an open source program In certain situations, the desktop operating system (Key Term) may also be referred to as a client operating system (Key Term) Network server (Key Term) – coordinates all communication between the other computers

More on Operating Systems An OS is often called the software environment or platform Operating systems commonly used by individuals Windows – most widely used Mac OS – powerful and easy to use UNIX – network; originally designed for Web LINUX – non proprietary; free from the Web Note that LINUX is easier to learn; easily transfer to UNIX UNIX originally designed as cross-platform to help “integrate” the Web

Windows The most popular microcomputer operating system – over 90 percent of the market Comes in a variety of different versions Windows 7 provides several improvements over Windows Vista Windows has over 90 percent of the market More application programs are designed to run under Windows than any other operating system

Mac OS Mac OS X is designed to run on Apple computers One of the most innovative operating systems, but not used as widely as Windows Mac OS (Boot Camp) allows you to run both the Mac OS and Windows First introduced in 1984 Provided one of the first GUIs Powerful and easy-to-use operating system Mac OS X, version 10.4 – also known as Tiger (Key Term), provides photo-quality icons and easy-to-use menus Spotlight (Key Term) – advanced search tool Dashboard widgets (Key Term) – collection of specialized programs that update and display information One version of Mac OS (called Leopard) will include Boot Camp (Key Term) which allows Apple computers to run both Mac OS and Windows operating systems

UNIX and LINUX UNIX operating system LINUX is a version of UNIX Originally designed to run on networked minicomputers LINUX is a version of UNIX Open source Not proprietary UNIX Used by powerful microcomputers and by servers on the Web There are a large number of different versions of UNIX LINUX One of the most popular and powerful alternatives to the Windows operating system

Virtualization Ability to support multiple operating systems on a single physical machine Virtualization software Physical machine can be logically separated into separate and independent virtual computers called virtual machines Host operating system Guest operating system

Mobile Phone Operating Systems Type of embedded operating system that is present in every smartphone Some of the best known (with release dates): Symbian (2009) BlackBerry OS or RIM OS (1999) iPhone OS (2007) Android (2007) Windows Phone 7 (2010)

Utilities Specialized programs to make computing easier Most essential utilities Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs Antivirus programs Uninstall programs Backup programs File compression programs Utilities – specialized programs designed to make computing easier Hard disk crashes Antivirus programs Computer freeze-ups Decrease operation slow-downs

Windows Utilities Backup and Restore Disk Cleanup Disk Defragmenter These utilities can be accessed from the System Tools menu

Backup and Restore 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 If you backup (Key Term) your files, you have a copy of your data in case of a disk failure Return

Disk Cleanup Identifies and eliminates nonessential files Frees up valuable space and improves system performance When you search the Web, a variety of programs and files are saved to your hard drive Use disk cleanup (Key Term) to get rid of these unnecessary files Files are stored and organized on a disk according to tracks and sectors Tracks (Key Term) – concentric ring Sectors (Key Term) – wedge-shaped sections of a track OS tries to save a file on a single track across contiguous sectors. Often the file has to broken into small parts and stored wherever space is available and the disk over time becomes fragmented Return

Disk Defragmenter Identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments Rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize operations Speeds up file access Disk Defragmenter (Key Term) should be run on your computer often Some end-users run this utility program daily, while some run it once a week Fragmented (Key Term) files - result of a file having to be broken apart into smaller parts so it can be stored wherever space is available Return

Utility Suites A group of utility programs bundled for sale Buying the package is more affordable Popular suites Norton System Works McAfee Office V Communications SystemSuite Norton SystemWorks AntiVirus CleanSweep Web Cleanup GoBack Personal Edition Norton Utilities One button checkup (Key Term) - integrates several of the separate troubleshooting utilities McAfee Similar programs

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 Device drivers - programs that work with the operating system to allow communication between device(s) and the rest of the physical system Device drivers are also referred to simply as “drivers” (Key Term) Step-by-step guidance is offered by Windows in the form of wizards that assist with installing drivers e.g. “Add Printer Wizard” (Key Term) Drivers can also be easily updated in Windows by utilizing the Windows Update (Key Term) functionality

Virus Protection and Internet Security Internet Security Suite Continually monitors your computer VirusScan Controls the frequency of searches for viruses Quarantines or deletes infected files Privacy Service Helps protect your privacy online Block websites, cookies, and ads

Careers In IT Computer support specialist provide technical support to customers and other users Resolve common networking problems and use troubleshooting programs to diagnose problems Employers look for a bachelors degree, good analytical and communication skills Computer support specialist can expect to earn $32K - $53K annually

A Look to the Future IBM's Aware Supercomputer IBM’s Automatic Computing Initiative (ACI) Handles time-consuming maintenance Self-regulating and virtually invisible Self-maintaining servers Self-repairing Self-updating Self-protecting Computers may be able to fix themselves in the future Autonomic computing is a system that allows machines to run with little human intervention

Open-Ended 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. Discuss virtualization. Have students turn to the end of Chapter 5 in their textbooks to view the same “Open-Ended” questions/statements

Open-Ended 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 a Device Wizard and Windows Update. Have students turn to the end of Chapter 5 in their textbooks to view the same “Open-Ended” questions/statements