1. CHAPTER 5
Discovering Computers
Fundamentals,
2011 Edition
Living in a Digital World

2. Objectives Overview
Define system
software and identify
the two types of
system software
Describe the
functions of an
operating system
Summarize the
features of several
stand-alone
operating systems
Identify various
server operating
systems
Briefly describe
several embedded
operating systems
Explain the purpose
of several utility
programs
2

3. TYPES OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE
• Computer software can be divided to two types
depends on the functions use. The two major types
are:
– System Software - System software consists of the
program that control or maintain the operations of the
computer and the computer’s hardware
– Application software - Programs designed to make users
more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks
3

4. System Software
• System software consists of the programs that
control or maintain the operations of the
computer and its devices
Operating
systems
Utility
Programs
4

5. Operating Systems
• An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing
instructions that work together to coordinate all the
activities among computer hardware resources
Start and shut
down a
computer
Provide a user
interface
Manage
programs
Manage
memory
Coordinate
tasks
Configure
devices
Establish an
Internet
connection
Monitor
performance
Provide
utilities
Automatically
update
Control a
network
Administer
security
5

6. Operating Systems
• Characteristics of operating systems:
Device –dependent: run
only on specific type of
computer
Proprietary software:
privately owned and
limited to specific vendor
or computer model
Downward compatible:
works with application
software written for
earlier version of OS
Deviceindependent: run
on many
manufactures’
computers.
Upward compatible: runs
on new versions of OS
6

7. Operating Systems
7

8. Operating System Functions
• The process of starting or restarting a computer is
called booting
Cold boot
• Turning on
a computer
that has
been
powered off
completely
Warm boot
• Using the
operating
system to
restart a
computer
8

9. Operating System Functions
• An operating system includes various shut down
options
Sleep mode saves any open
documents and programs to
RAM, turns off all unneeded
functions, and then places
the computer in a lowpower state
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Hibernate saves any open
documents and programs to
a hard disk before removing
power from the computer
9

10. Operating System Functions
• A user interface
controls how you
enter data and
instructions and
how information is
displayed on the
screen
• With a graphical
user interface
(GUI), you interact
with menus and
visual images
10

11. Operating System Functions
• With a command-line interface, a user uses the
keyboard to enter data and instructions
11

12. Operating System Functions
• How an operating system handles programs
directly affects your productivity
Single user and
multiuser
Single tasking
and
multitasking
Foreground and
background
Multiprocessing
12

13. Operating System Functions
13

14. Operating System Functions
• Memory management optimizes the use of RAM
• Virtual memory is a portion of a storage medium
functioning as additional RAM
• Windows ReadyBoost can allocate available memory in
flash memory devices as additional memory cache
14

15. Operating System Functions
• The operating system determines the order in
which tasks are processed
15

16. Operating System Functions
16

17. Operating System Functions
• Operating systems typically provide a means to
establish Internet connections
17

18. Operating System Functions
• A performance monitor is a program that
assesses and reports information about various
computer resources and devices
18

19. Operating System Functions
• Operating systems often provide users with the
capability of:
Managing files
Searching for
files
Viewing
images
Securing a
computer
Uninstalling
programs
Cleaning up
disks
Defragmenting
disks
Diagnosing
problems
Backing up
files and disks
Setting up
screen savers
19

20. Operating System Functions
• Automatic update automatically provides updates
to the program
20

21. Operating System Functions
• Some operating systems • A network
are designed to work
administrator uses the
with a server on a
server operating system
network
to:
– Add and remove users,
• A server operating
computers, and other
system organizes and
devices
coordinates how
– Install software and
multiple users access
administer network
and share resources on
security
a network
21

22. Operating System Functions
• Each user has a user
account
– A user name, or user ID,
identifies a specific user
– A password is a private
combination of
characters associated
with the user name
22

23. Types of Operating Systems
23

24. Stand-Alone Operating Systems
• A stand-alone operating system is a complete
operating system that works on a desktop
computer, notebook computer, or mobile
computing device
Windows
7
Mac OS X
UNIX
Linux
24

25. Stand-Alone Operating Systems
• Windows 7 is Microsoft’s fastest, most efficient
operating system to date and is available in
multiple editions:
Windows 7
Starter
Windows 7
Home
Premium
Windows 7
Ultimate
Windows 7
Professional
25

26. Stand-Alone Operating Systems
26

27. Stand-Alone Operating Systems
• The Macintosh operating system has set the
standard for operating system ease of use
• Latest version is Mac OS X
27

28. Stand-Alone Operating Systems
* UNIX is a multitasking operating system
* Is a multiuse, timesharing OS that runs on all
types of computers
* Linux is an open-source(code is available to
public), popular, free, multitasking UNIX-type
operating system
* Used such as a stand alone and a network OS
28

29. Server Operating Systems
Windows
Server 2008
Solaris
UNIX
Linux
NetWare
29

30. Server Operating Systems
Windows Server 2008
*is an upgrade to Windows Server 2003
Linux
*is also a multipurpose operating system
*a network administrator can configure a
network, administer security, run a web server,
and process e-mail
30

31. Server Operating Systems
UNIX
*is a multipurpose operating system
*capable of handling a high volume of transactions
in a multiuser environment and working with
multiple processors using multiprocessing.
Solaris
version of UNIX developed by Sun Microsystems
Specifically for e-commerce applications
31

32. Server Operating Systems
Netware
Designed for client/server
networks
32

33. Embedded Operating Systems
• An embedded operating system resides on a ROM chip
on a mobile device or consumer electronic device
Windows
Embedded CE
Windows
Mobile
Palm OS
iPhone OS
BlackBerry
Google
Android
Embedded
Linux
Symbian OS
33

34. Embedded Operating Systems
• Windows Embedded CE
– is a scaled-down Windows operating system designed for use
on communications, entertainment, and computing devices
with limited functionality
– examples of device - digital cameras, automated teller machine,
fuel pumps, portable media players, ticket machines,
computerized sewing machines.
34

35. Embedded Operating Systems
• Windows Mobile
– An operating system based on Windows Embedded CE, includes
functionality, programs, and a user interface designed for
specific types of smart phones and PDAs.
35

36. Embedded Operating Systems
• Palm OS
– Is a competing operating system to Windows Mobile
36

37. Embedded Operating Systems
• iPhone OS
– developed by Apple, is an operating system for the iPhone and
iPod touch, Apple’s smart phone and touch screen portable
media player, respectively
37

38. Embedded Operating Systems
• Blackberry
– Runs on handheld devices supplied by RIM (Research in
Motion).
– Many Blackberry devices include a mini keyboard; some have
touch screens.
38

39. Embedded Operating Systems
• Google Android
– An operating system designed by Google for mobile devices.
– Used more than 20 different types of mobile devices.
39

40. Embedded Operating Systems
• Embedded Linux
– is a scaled down Linux operating system designed for smart
phones, PDAs, portable media players, Internet telephones and
others.
40

41. Embedded Operating Systems
• Symbian OS
– is an open source multitasking operating system designed for
smart phones.
41

42. Utility Programs
• A utility program is a type of system software that
allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks
42

43. Utility Programs
• A file manager is a
utility that performs
functions related to file
management
– Displaying a list of files
– Organizing files in folders
– Copying, renaming,
deleting, moving, and
sorting files and folders
43

44. Utility Programs
• A search utility is a program that attempts to
locate a file on your computer based on criteria
you specify
44

45. Utility Programs
• An uninstaller removes
a program, as well as
any associated entries
in the system files
• An image viewer allows
users to display, copy,
and print the contents
of a graphics file
45

46. Utility Programs
• A disk cleanup utility searches for and removes
unnecessary files
– Downloaded program
files
– Temporary Internet
files
– Deleted files
– Unused program
files
46

47. Utility Programs
• A disk defragmenter reorganizes the files and
unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the
operating system accesses data more quickly and
programs run faster
– Defragmenting
Page 286
Figure 7-18
47

48. Utility Programs
• A backup utility allows
users to copy files to
another storage
medium
• A restore utility
reverses the process
and returns backed up
files to their original
form
Page 286
48

49. Utility Programs
• A screen saver causes a • A personal firewall
display device’s screen
detects and protects a
to show a moving image
personal computer
or blank screen if no
from unauthorized
activity occurs for a
intrusions
specified time
Page 287
Figure 7-19
49

50. Utility Programs
A virus describes a potentially damaging computer
program that affects a computer negatively
A worm copies A Trojan horse An antivirus
itself
hides within or
program
repeatedly in
looks like a
protects a
memory or
legitimate
computer
over a network
program
against viruses
Page 288
50

51. Video: Free Online Antivirus
CLICK TO START
51

52. Utility Programs
Pages 288 – 289
Figures 7-20 – 7-21
52

53. Utility Programs
Spyware is a program placed on
a computer without the user’s
knowledge that secretly collects
information about the user
• A spyware remover detects
and deletes spyware and
other similar programs
Page 289
Adware displays an online
advertisement in a banner or
pop-up window
• An adware remover is a
program that detects and
deletes adware
53

54. Utility Programs
• Filters are programs that remove or block certain
items from being displayed
Anti-spam
programs
Phishing
filters
Pages 289 - 290
Web
filters
Pop-up
blockers
54

55. Utility Programs
• A file compression utility shrinks the size of a file(s)
– Compressing files frees up room on the storage media
• Compressed files sometimes are called zipped files
– Can be uncompressed
Click to view Web Link,
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Page 290
55

56. Utility Programs
• A media player allows you to view images and
animation, listen to audio, and watch video files
on your computer
Page 290
Figure 7-22
56

57. Utility Programs
• Disc burning software
writes text, graphics,
audio, and video files
on a recordable or
rewritable optical disc
Page 291
Figure 7-23
57

58. Utility Programs
• A personal computer
maintenance utility
identifies and fixes
operating system
problems, detects and
repairs disk problems,
and includes the
capability of improving
a computer’s
performance
Page 291
Figure 7-24
58

59. Summary
Definition of an
operating system
Variety of stand-alone
operating systems,
server operating
systems, and embedded
operating systems
Page 292
Functions common to
most operating systems
Several utility programs
59

60. CHAPTER 5
Discovering Computers
Fundamentals,
2011 Edition
Living in a Digital World