Chapter 4 System Software

Presentation Overview The Function of System Software The Function of the Operating System Software User Interfaces Personal Computer Operating Systems Server Operating Systems Operating Systems for Handheld Devices Utility Programs and Translators

The Function of System Software What is the function of system software? tells computer what to do and how to do it issues instructions to perform actions in a certain order, allowing hardware to process data into information

The Function of System Software Two Categories of Software Application software includes programs that perform one task System software controls the operations of a computer system

The Function of the Operating System What is the function of the operating system? manages main memory, or RAM configures and controls peripheral devices manages essential file operations monitors system performance provides a user interface

The Function of the Operating System Commonly Used Operating Systems for Personal Computers

The Function of the Operating System Booting a computer is a series of steps that displays the OS desktop on the screen.

The Function of the Operating System Managing Memory Throughput – a measure of computer’s performance Buffers – hold information and data waiting to be transferred from input or output device Print spooling – holds document in buffer until ready to be printed Multitasking – working on two or more applications at the same time

The Function of the Operating System Managing Memory Driver enables the operating system to communicate with a peripheral device, such as a keyboard, monitor, mouse, modem, printer, or disk drive. File manager maintains a record of all stored files and their locations, allowing a user to quickly locate and retrieve files. Performance monitor checks the computer system’s speed and efficiency, as well as performance of CPU, memory, and storage disks.

Software User Interfaces Command line interfaces require users to type a line of code at a prompt telling the computer what to do.

Software User Interfaces Graphical user interfaces use pictures or text symbols (icons) to stand for complex commands.

Software User Interfaces Graphical User Interfaces Desktop – screen on which graphical elements are displayed Display window – area of the screen used to display a program or data Menu – set of options that can be activated with the click of a mouse Common command icons – common actions such as opening, saving, or printing files

Personal Computer Operating Systems Windows Operating System Windows 2000 Professional – used for business and network computers Windows XP Professional – designed for fast, powerful computers with much memory and hard disk space Windows Vista – improves security, helps diagnose and repair system problems, and makes networking easier

Personal Computer Operating Systems Macintosh Operating System Mac OS – has impressive graphics and ease of use Mac OS 9 – better speech recognition, supports files up to 2 terabytes, provides for many users, allows file encryption, and supports voice-entered passwords Mac OS X – uses UNIX operating system foundation

Personal Computer Operating Systems IBM OS/2 runs programs written for DOS and Windows systems used mainly for business applications

Personal Computer Operating Systems IBM OS/2 runs programs written for DOS and Windows systems used mainly for business applications Linux an open-source software program (programming code is free to the public) praised for stability, flexibility, security, low cost

Server Operating Systems Novell Netware widely used for local area networks allows retrieval or saving of files from server’s shared hard disk prints using a shared printer allows working off line as if on a stand-alone personal computer

Server Operating Systems Windows Windows 2000 Server – Datacenter Server can support up to 23 processors and 64 gigabytes of data Windows 2003 Server – Standard Edition intended for small- to medium-sized business; Datacenter Edition supports multiple servers Windows Longhorn Server – has Windows Vista benefits and offers server-specific tools, protocols, and utilities for network management

Server Operating Systems UNIX and Linux UNIX – a cross-platform system that runs any type of computer from PC to supercomputer Linux – an open-source software program designed for use with servers and large computer systems, including midrange servers and mainframes

Operating Systems for Handheld Devices Palm OS provides a graphical user interface used in various versions of Palm PDAs, Sony PDAs, and smartphones Windows Mobile used in wireless devices and other systems with embedded processors, such as smartphones and PocketPC PDAs

Utility Programs and Translators Utility programs and their functions

Utility Programs and Translators Utility programs and their functions (continued)

Utility Programs and Translators Utility programs and their functions (continued)

Utility Programs and Translators Firewalls prevent unauthorized users from accessing a personal computer or network connected to the Internet.

Utility Programs and Translators Shown is a simple payroll program written in DOS BASIC.

On the Horizon Based on the information presented in this chapter and your own experience, what do you think is on the horizon? Suggested final slide for each chapter. CLH SLIDE Please have this slide be the final slide for each chapter.