1. Mr C Johnston ICT Teacher www.computechedu.co.uk
BTEC IT Unit 02 - Lesson 06 Computer Software
Mr C Johnston
ICT Teacher

2. Session Objectives
Understand the role of the Operating Systems and common examples,
Know the differences between CLI and GUI operating systems,
Understand the role of device drivers,
Know different types of utility software that are used to keep computers systems running smoothly.

3. Applications and Utility Software
Software Overview
A useful way of looking at the types of software used in a computer is:
Applications and Utility Software
Operating System
Device Drivers
BIOS
Hard
ware

4. Operating System Provides two classes of service:
Provides access to the computer hardware and peripheral devices,
Provides an Application Program Interface (API) so application software can be displayed, print, communicate with the world and store data.
The operating system includes a number of accessory programs which offer machine and peripheral management, security and file management.
Two types of operating system:
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Graphical User Interface (GUI)

5. CLI Characteristics Text based interface with a command prompt,
The user types in instructions at the command point using a keyboard,
The operating system then responds to the commands keyed in,
When the instruction had been processed doing the command prompt would reappear ready for the next instruction,
A high level of knowledge is required to remember and construct the commands.

6. GUI Characteristics
Graphical based interface made up of WIMPs – Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers,
Users enter commands by clicking on an option in a menu, pressing a button or completing boxes on a form,
The interface is far more user-friendly and it opened up the use of computers to people who had not learnt how to program a computer or can’t remember a lots of commands.

7. CLI vs GUI

8. Common Operating Systems
UNIX – Command Line
DOS – Command Line (PC-DOS – IBM, MS-DOS – Microsoft)
Linux – Command Line - Ubuntu – GUI
Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7
Novell Netware – Command Line With GUI Applications
Windows NT, 2000, 2003, 2008 Server – GUI
MAC OS – classic version
MAC OS X – first stable release 2001, current version v10.7 (Lion)

9. OS Choice Factors
Does the operating system let you customise what you see on the screen and how you interact with the computer?
Does it provide support for connectivity of portable media?
What provisions are there to ensure tight security of the computer system?
What guarantees do you have of stability and reliability?
How easy is it to manage the computer system?
What utilities are included?
How much does it cost?
What after sales support is on offer for the user?

10. BTEC Book – Unit 02 p14/15

11. Device Drivers
In order for the OS to function correctly it must be able to communicate with all hardware devices attached to the computer,
A device driver are instructions for the OS on how to communicate with each device,
In order for a piece of hardware to work properly its own driver needs installing – it also must be the correct version for the operating system you are running,
In windows you control device drivers within device manager – part of the control panel

12. Task 2[P2, M1]
You need to make notes about the tasks which operating systems enable us to do and compare different operating systems within perhaps a table.
Features and functions to discuss include:
machine and peripheral management, security, file management, device drivers, ability to customize, support for connectivity of portable media, stability and reliability, ease of management, associated utilities, cost and support for the user
P2 - Explain the purpose of operating systems
M1 - Compare the features and functions of different operating systems
For P2, you should outline the basic functions of operating systems in general, explaining how they are used to facilitate users.
For M1, you must review the features and functions of different operating systems. Learners will need to present a comparison of selected operating systems, summarising their respective strengths and weaknesses in context.

13. Expansion - P2 M1 What is an operating system for
why needed / what is its purpose
What services do operating systems provide
things that it allows users to do
Different types of operating system
CLI / GUI - =ve / -ve of each
Examples of different operating system brands M1
Table comparing the features of different operating systems with a conclusion about the +ves / -ves of each
Feature
OS 1
OS2
OS3 etc
Features from slide 9 & any others you can think of
Overall Benefits (+ves)
Overall Limitations (-ves)

14. Operating System Features
General features
Random screen shots
First released
Current version
Cost / Availability
Architectures supported
Minimal hardware requirements
GUI / Command line
Customisable GUI
Target system type
File systems supported
Installation overview
International support
User friendly for lay users
Security features provided
Integrated firewall
Encrypted file systems
Security threats
Stability and reliability
Kernel type
Connectivity of portable media
How easy is it to manage the computer system?
Included utilities / apps
What after sales support is on offer for the user?