© paradigm publishing inc. 4-1 chapter 4 system software

© Paradigm Publishing Inc. 4-1

Chapter 4System 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?



What is the function of system software?– tells computer what to do and how to do it



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



Two Categories of Software–Application software includesprograms 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?



What is the function of the operating system?– manages main memory, or RAM



What is the function of the operating system?– manages main memory, or RAM– configures and controls peripheral devices



What is the function of the operating system?– manages main memory, or RAM– configures and controls peripheral devices– manages essential file operations



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



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



Commonly Used Operating Systems for Personal Computers



Booting a computer is a series of steps that displays the OS desktop on the screen.



Managing Memory



Managing Memory– Throughput – a measure of computer’s performance



Managing Memory– Throughput – a measure of computer’s performance– Buffers – hold information and data waiting to

be transferred from input or output device




be transferred from input or output device– Print spooling – holds document in buffer until

ready to be printed




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



Managing Memory



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.





– 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.



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



Graphical User Interfaces



Graphical User Interfaces– Desktop – screen on which graphical elements are

displayed




displayed– Display window – area of the screen used to

display a program or data





display a program or data– Menu – set of options that can be activated with

the click of a mouse





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 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



Macintosh Operating System




– Mac OS – has impressive graphics and ease of use




– 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 – 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



IBM OS/2 – runs programs written for DOS and Windows

systems– used mainly for business applications



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



Novell Netware

– widely used for local area networks



Novell Netware

– widely used for local area networks– allows retrieval or saving of files from server’s

shared hard disk



Novell Netware


shared hard disk– prints using a shared printer



Novell Netware


shared hard disk– prints using a shared printer– allows working off line as if on a stand-alone

personal computer



Windows



Windows

– Windows 2000 Server – Datacenter Server can support up to 23 processors and 64 gigabytes of data



Windows


– Windows 2003 Server – Standard Edition intended for small- to medium-sized business; Datacenter Edition supports multiple servers



Windows


– 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



UNIX and Linux



UNIX and Linux

– UNIX – a cross-platform system that runs any type of computer from PC to supercomputer



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 OSprovides a graphical user interface used in various versions of Palm PDAs, Sony PDAs, and smartphones


Operating Systems for Handheld Devices

Palm OSprovides a graphical user interface used in various versions of Palm PDAs, Sony PDAs, and smartphones

Windows Mobileused 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 their functions (continued)



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


UtilityProgramsandTranslators 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?

© paradigm publishing inc. 4-1 chapter 4 system software

Documents

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function of system software

system software slide

memory slide

computer system slide

system performance slide

ram slide

information slide