Technology in Action
Alan Evans • Kendall Martin
Mary Anne Poatsy
Tenth Edition
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Technology in Action
Chapter 4 System Software:
The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Management
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Chapter Topics
• Operating System Fundamentals • What the Operating System Does • The Boot Process: Starting Your Computer • The Windows Interface • Organizing Your Computer: File
Management • Utility Programs
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Understanding System Software Operating System Fundamentals
• Two basic types of software – Application software is used to do everyday
tasks at home and work. – System software is the set of programs that
helps run the computer • Operating system is a group of programs that
controls how a computer system functions. • Utility programs are small programs that perform
many general housekeeping tasks.
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Understanding System Software Operating System Fundamentals (cont.)
• Categorized by type of device in which they are installed – Mainframes – Network computers – Personal computers – Mobile devices – Robots
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Understanding System Software Operating System Fundamentals (cont.)
• Operating System Fundamentals (cont.) – Modern operating systems allow multitasking – Windows and OS X provide networking
capabilities – Operating systems can be categorized by
type • Robots and specialized equipment • Mainframes and network computers • Mobile devices • Personal computers
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Understanding System Software Real-Time Operating Systems
• Used for machinery that performs a repetitive series of specific tasks in an exact amount of time
• Require minimal user interaction – Car engines – Medical devices – Common appliances – Robotic cameras
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Networks, Servers, and Mainframes
• Multiuser operating system enables more than one user to access the computer at one time
• Networks require a multiuser operating system
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Networks, Servers, and Mainframes (cont.)
• Manage all user requests, ensuring they do not interfere with each other
• Examples include Windows Server, Linux, and UNIX
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Networks, Servers, and Mainframes (cont.)
• UNIX is a…. – Multiuser, multitask operating system – Network operating system used primarily with
mainframes – A brand that belongs to The Open Group – Any vendor who meets requirements can use
the UNIX name and can modify the code to run specifically on their hardware
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Mobile Devices
• Smartphones do more than let user make and answer phone calls
• Include productivity, media player, camera features, and Web connectivity
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Mobile Devices (cont.)
• Most modern smartphones have modest multitasking capabilities – Check e-mail while making phone call
• Gaming systems and personal media players require system software developed for the device
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Personal Computers
• Top three operating systems – Windows – Max OS X – Linux
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Personal Computers (cont.)
• Windows – Multitasking capabilities – Networking capabilities – Windows 8 includes ability to use touch
commands on touch-screen monitors
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Personal Computers (cont.)
• Mac OS: In 1984, first commercially available OS to incorporate a GUI
• Mountain Lion adds features: Messages, reminders, notes, and a notification center
• Mac OS X based on UNIX
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Personal Computers (cont.)
• Linux – Open source OS – Personal computer and network OS – Reputation as a stable OS – Can be modified or updated quickly – Available for download as distros
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Personal Computers (cont.)
• Platform: Combination of an OS and processor
• Windows and Linux run on most hardware sold today
• Application software is OS dependent
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Personal Computers (cont.)
• More than one OS can run on one computer – Boot Camp utility in OS X – Parallels or VMware Fusion for Windows – Partition hard drive in Windows
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Understanding System Software Operating Systems for Personal Computers (cont.)
• Cloud based OS – Prototypes are being developed – Still need a computer, operating system, and
web browser – Enables users to access applications and
content via the web anywhere, on any machine, and at any time
– Google is taking steps toward developing a complete web-based operating system
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What the Operating System Does
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OS: Coordinates and directs the flow of data and information through the computer system
What the Operating System Does The User Interface
• Enables user to interact with the computer
• Types of interfaces – Command-driven
interface – Menu-driven interface – Graphical user
interface (GUI)
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What the Operating System Does The User Interface (cont.)
• Graphical user interface (GUI) – Used in Windows and Mac OS – Linux: No single default GUI interface; users
choose • GNOME • KDE
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What the Operating System Does Processor Management
• CPU usually is asked to perform several tasks at once
• OS arranges for execution of all activities • Assigns a slice of time to each activity • Switches among processes millions of
times a second • Appears that everything is happening
seamlessly Copyright © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 22
What the Operating System Does Processor Management (cont.)
• Event: Created by keystrokes, mouse clicks, and printer and drive signals; requires OS to respond – Sequentially or concurrently – OS switches back and forth
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What the Operating System Does Processor Management (cont.)
• Interrupt: unique signal generated by the printer
• Interrupt handler: prioritizes the requests • Preemptive multitasking: the OS
processes tasks assigned a higher priority before processing a task assigned a lower priority
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What the Operating System Does Processor Management (cont.)
• When OS receives interrupt, it suspends current activity and creates memo in the stack
• OS coordinates activities for peripheral devices – OS puts request in buffer – Requests wait in buffer for the spooler – a
program that helps coordinate all print jobs Copyright © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 25
What the Operating System Does Memory and Storage Management
• OS uses RAM as a temporary storage area for instructions and data
• Processor accesses these instructions and data from RAM when it needs them
• OS is responsible for coordinating space allocation in RAM
• Clears item from RAM when processor no longer needs them
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What the Operating System Does Virtual Memory
• RAM has limited capacity • When RAM is full, instructions and data
are stored on the hard drive
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What the Operating System Does Virtual Memory (cont.)
• Borrowing hard drive space is called virtual memory – Swap file – Paging – Thrashing
• Increase RAM to avoid using virtual memory
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What the Operating System Does Hardware and Peripheral Device Management
• Device drivers – Facilitate communication between device and
the operating system – Translates device’s commands into
commands the operating system can understand
• Plug and Play (PnP) – Hardware and software standard – Facilitates the installation of new hardware
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What the Operating System Does Software Application Coordination
• For programs to work, they must contain code the CPU recognizes
• Application programming interface (API) – Blocks of code for similar procedures – Prevent redundancies in software code – Make it easier for software developers
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The Boot Process: Starting the Computer
• The boot process loads the operating system into RAM
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The Boot Process: Starting the Computer Step 1: Activating BIOS
• CPU activates the basic input/output system (BIOS)
• BIOS: Program that manages the exchange of data between the OS and all the input and output devices attached to the system – Responsible for loading OS into RAM – Stored on ROM
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The Boot Process: Starting the Computer Step 2: Performing the Power-on Self-Test
• Power-on self test (POST): The first job BIOS performs, ensuring essential peripheral devices are attached and operational – CMOS: Complementary metal-oxide
semiconductor
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The Boot Process: Starting the Computer Step 3: Loading the OS
• System files – the main files of the OS • Loads OS into RAM
– Kernel is loaded – Kernel: Essential component of the OS
• Responsible for managing the processor and all components
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The Boot Process: Starting the Computer Step 4: Checking Further Configurations and Customizations
• Checks registry for configuration of other system components – Registry – contains all the different
configurations used by the OS and other applications
• Authentication: Verification of login name and password
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The Boot Process: Starting the Computer Step 4: Checking Further Configurations and Customizations
• Windows 8 • Default setting: Windows Live account -
free desktop and Web-based applications from Microsoft, most of which can be accessed from a personal home page
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The Boot Process: Starting the Computer Handling Errors in the Boot Process
• Uninstall recently installed software – Use uninstall program or Control Panel
• Last Known Good Configuration • Try refreshing your computer
– New in Windows 8
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The Boot Process: Starting the Computer Handling Errors in the Boot Process (cont.)
• Refresh your PC: New utility program in Windows 8 – Attempts to diagnose and fix errors – Back up PC prior to refreshing
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The Boot Process: Starting the Computer Handling Errors in the Boot Process (cont.)
• During the boot process, BIOS can skip a device or improperly identify it
• Device won’t respond – Rebooting – Check for patches – Technical assistance
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The Windows Interface
• Windows 8 – Designed for laptops, desktops, and tablet
PCs – Three ways to accomplish tasks
• Using a mouse • Touching the screen • Using keystrokes
– Start screen: the place where you begin all computing activities
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The Windows Interface (cont.)
• Metro apps: Applications specifically designed to run on Metro interface of Windows 8 – Preinstalled: Photos, Messaging, and
Calendar – Download from Windows Store – Displayed full screen – Controls and settings are contained in app
bars – contains controls and settings Copyright © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 41
The Windows Interface (cont.)
• Start screen based on Windows smartphones – Customizable
• Charms: Special shortcuts in Windows 8 – Located on Charms bar
• Pinning: Adding Metro apps to Start screen – Right-click icon to remove
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The Windows Interface (cont.)
• Ways to return to Start screen in Windows 8 – Press the Windows key – Display the Charms bar and click (or touch)
Start – Move your cursor to the lower left corner of
screen to display Start screen icon
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The Windows Interface (cont.)
• Right-clicking lower left corner of screen displays quick links menu
• Jump List: Most recently or commonly used files or commands for an application
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The Windows Interface (cont.)
• Switching between programs – Point cursor to upper left corner and drag
from left – Drag thumbnail of previous program to middle
of screen – Repeatedly swiping from left will scroll
backward through all open programs
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The Windows Interface (cont.)
• For a list of open programs – Position cursor in upper left corner until
thumbnail appears – Move cursor down to display list of
thumbnails: Switch list or press Alt + Tab
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The Windows Interface (cont.)
• Closing Metro App – Metro apps can snap into place on left or right
side of screen – Windows suspends Metro apps that aren’t
displayed – Press Alt + F4 to close Metro app from within
the app
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The Windows Interface (cont.)
• Mac OS X and Windows aren’t compatible but similar in functionality – Programs appear in resizable windows – Use menus and icons – OS X uses a Dock instead of Start screen
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The Windows Interface (cont.)
• Linux: Different distros feature different user interfaces – Most are based on familiar Windows and OS
X paradigms
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management
• Additional function of the operating system is to enable file management
• Provides an organizational structure to the computer’s contents
• Uses hierarchical directory structure – Folders – Libraries – Drives
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Organizing Your Files
• A file is a collection of related pieces of information stored together
• A folder is a collection of files • A library gathers files from different
locations and displays them as if they were all saved in a single folder
• Root directory organizes all other folders and files
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Organizing Your Files (cont.)
• Windows Explorer: Main tool for finding, viewing, and managing the contents of computer – Shows location and contents of every drive,
folder, and file – Divided into two panes
• Creating folders is key to organizing files
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Viewing and Sorting Files and Folders
• Views button offers different ways to view folders and files – Details view – Large and Extra Large
Icons view – Search app – best way to search in Windows
8
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Viewing and Sorting Files and Folders
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Naming Files
• File name is the name you assign to the file when you save it – First part is similar to your first name
• In Windows, an extension, or file type, follows the file name and a period or dot (.) – Similar to a last name, extension identifies the
application needed to read the file – Mac and Linus don’t require file extensions
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Naming Files (cont.)
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Naming Files (cont.)
• Each OS has its own naming conventions • Up to 255 characters • All files must be uniquely identified
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Naming Files (cont.)
• File Save Location – Determine location of a file by its file path – File path includes drive, folders, subfolders,
the file name, and the extension • Path separators include a backslash (\) for
Windows, or colon (:) for Mac
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Naming Files (cont.)
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Organizing Your Computer: File Management Working with Files
• File-management actions – Open – Copy – Move – Rename – Delete
• Recycle Bin (Windows) • Trash (Mac)
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Utility Programs
• Small applications that perform special functions
• Some are incorporated into operating system – Firewall and file-compression utilities
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Utility Programs (cont.)
• Stand-alone utility programs offer more features and require frequent updating – Antivirus and security programs – Freeware
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Utility Programs Display Utilities
• Personalization has features to change the appearance of your desktop – Background – Screen savers – Window colors
• Vast array of downloadable options are available on the web
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Utility Programs The Programs and Features Utility
• Installing a new program usually runs a wizard automatically that walks you through installation
• Delete programs by – Selecting the program’s own uninstall option – Windows uninstaller utility
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Utility Programs File Compression Utilities
• Make a large file more compact • Easier and faster to send files over
Internet • Windows has built-in file compression
– Take out redundancies – Look for repeated patterns
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Utility Programs System Maintenance Utilities
• Disk Cleanup removes unnecessary files – Recycle Bin – Temporary Internet files – Offline Web pages
• If not deleted, these files can hinder efficient performance
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Utility Programs System Maintenance Utilities (cont.)
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Utility Programs System Maintenance Utilities (cont.)
• Disk Defragmenter regroups related pieces of files on the hard disk
• FAT – file allocation table
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Utility Programs System Maintenance Utilities (cont.)
• Error-checking checks for lost files and fragments and physical errors on hard drive
• Use Task Manager to check on program that has stopped working or to exit nonresponsive programs
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Utility Programs System Restore and Backup Utilities
• Rolls system settings back to a specific date before problems – System restore point – Made every week – Before installing software – Custom restore point
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Utility Programs System Restore and Backup Utilities (cont.)
• File History utility in Windows 8 creates a duplicate of libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites and copies it to another storage device
• Backup – Creates a copy of data on the hard drive to
another storage device – Back up important files – Keep backup copy in safe location
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Utility Programs How Disk Defragmenter Utilities Work
• Disk defragmenting: Groups together related pieces of files on the hard drive, allowing the OS to work more efficiently
• Defragmenting tools: Files scattered over the disk are placed together and arranged sequentially
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Utility Programs How Disk Defragmenter Utilities Work (cont.)
• Windows 8: Disk defragmentation is set by default to automatically defragment the hard drive on a regular basis.
• Macs don’t have defragmentation utility built into the system
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Utility Programs Accessibility Utilities
• Ease of Access Center – Centralized location for assistive technology
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
1. What software is included in system software?
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
2. What are the different kinds of operating systems?
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
3. What are the most common operating systems?
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
4. How does the operating system provide a means for users to interact with the computer?
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
5. How does the operating system help manage resources such as the processor, memory, storage, hardware, and peripheral devices?
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
6. How does the operating system interact with application software?
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
7. How does the operating system help the computer start up?
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
8. What are the main features of the Windows interface?
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
9. How does the operating system help you keep your computer organized?
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Chapter 5 Summary Questions
10. What utility programs are included in system software and what do they do?
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