1. Chapter 4
System Software

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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

9. 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.

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Utility Programs and Translators
Utility programs and their functions

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

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

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

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

26. 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.