5 SYSTEM SOFTWARE CHAPTER System software handles behind the scenes activities that we don't usually think about These include tasks such as: Loading and running programs Coordinating networks that share resources Organizing files Protecting computers from viruses

Competencies Describe the differences between system software and application software Discuss the four types of system software Discuss operating systems Describe Windows, Mac, OS, UNIX, & Linux

Competencies cont. Describe the purpose of utilities and utility suites Identify the five most essential utilities Discuss Windows utility programs Describe the device drivers including printer drivers

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 System software is not a single program but is a collection of programs that handle hundreds of technical details En-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 handles technical tasks Every computer has an operating system Performs three types of functions Manages computer resources Provides user interface Runs applications Resources coordinate input and outputs such as keyboard, microphones, printers, mouse, storage devices and memory User interface primarily graphical user interface (GUI) use of icons Applications word processing spreadsheets databases supporting multitasking Windows most popular operating system Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 2002, Windows XP MAC OS – designed to run Macintosh computers Unix – used by powerful microcomputers, servers on the Web, and minicomputers in network environment Linux – non-proprietary operating systems that runs cross platform

Features of an Operating System Booting Features in common with application software Icons Pointers Windows Menus Dialog boxes Booting is the process of starting a computer Warm boot – computer is already on and you restart it without turning off the power Cold boot – starts a computer that has been turned off

Categories of Operating Systems Hundreds of operating systems Three basic categories Embedded – hand-held Network OS – linked computers Stand-alone OS – desktop Operating system is sometimes called the software environment or platform Most are proprietary – owned and licensed by a corporation Non-proprietary – source code is available to the public Called open source Linux is an open source program

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

Windows The most popular microcomputer operating system Comes in a variety of different versions Windows XP is the latest version Windows has over 80 percent of the market More application programs are designed to run under Windows

Mac OS An operating system designed to run on Apple computers Not used as widely as Windows Mac OS X is the latest version First introduced in 1984 Provided one of the first GUIs Powerful and easy to use operating system Mac OS X provides photo quality icons and easy to use menus

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

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

Windows Utilities Backup Disk Cleanup Disk Defragmenter These utilities can be accessed from the System Tools menu Backup – makes a copy of all files or selected files Disk Cleanup Used for troubleshooting Identifies and eliminates unneeded files on the hard disk Disk Defragmenter Locates and eliminates unnecessary fragments Rearranges files and unused space

Backup If you backup your files, you can protect your data from the effects of a disk failure

Disk Cleanup When you search the Web, a variety of programs and files are saved to your hard drive Use disk clean up to rid of these unnecessary files

Disk Defragmenter Disk Defragmenter should be run on your computer often Some en-users run this utility program daily, while some run it once a week

Utility Suites A group of several utility programs bundled for sale Buying the package is economical Popular suites eSafe Desktop McAfee Office Norton System Works Norton Utilities AntiVirus Cleansweep CrashGuard Web Services Connection Keep Alive GoBack Personal Edition McAfee Similar programs

Device Drivers Specialized programs that allow communication between a device and the computer Loaded into memory each time When a new device is added, new device drive must be installed Device drivers - programs that work with operating system to allow communication between device(s) and rest of physical system

A Look to the Future IBM's Aware Computer IBM concentrating research efforts on eLiza Handles time-consuming maintenance Autonomic computer Self-maintaining servers Self-repairing Self-protecting Self-updating Computers may be able to fix themselves in the future Autonomic computing is a system that allows machines to run with little human intervention

Key Terms antivirus utility (128) application (128) background (123) backup (129) backup program (128) booting ( 123) character based interface (123) client operating system (125) cold boot (123) computer virus (132) desktop (123) desktop operating system (125) device driver (122) diagnostic utility (128) dialog box (124) Disk cleanup (130) Disk defragmenter (131)

Key Terms Dock (127) driver (133) embedded operating system (124) file (124) file compression utility (128) folder (124) foreground (123) fragmented (131) graphical user interface (GUI) (123) Help (124) icon (123) language translator (122) Linux (127) Mac OS (127) Mac OS X (127) menu (123)

Key Terms multitasking (123) network operating system (NOS) (124) One Button Checkup (125) open source (132) operating system (125) platform (122) pointer (125) proprietary operating system (123) resource (123) sector (131) service program (122) Sherlock (127) software environment (125) software platform (125) stand-alone operating system (125) Start menu (126)

Key Terms system software (122) track (131) troubleshooting utility (128) uninstall utility (128) UNIX (127) user interface (123) utility (122) utility suite (132) warm boot (123) Window (123) Windows (125) Windows Add Printer Wizard (133) Windows Update (133) Windows XP (136)

FAQs What is an operating system? What is the difference between a warm boot and a cold boot? What kinds of devices use embedded operating systems? I need to remove a program that I no longer use. How can I do this? What software is needed to install a new device on my desktop computer?

Discussion Questions Describe how files are stored and organized on a disk. Describe some of the programs in the Norton SystemWorks utility suite. Explain the purpose of an operating system. List the different versions of the Windows operating system. Explain how multitasking works.