LESSON 4 Operating Systems

Learning Outcomes:
✓
Identify the functionalities of an operating system.
✓
Describe the types of operating systems
Time Frame: 1.5 hours
Introduction:
In this lesson, we will look into the basic functions and categories of
operating systems. The operating system is one of the critical software
that needs to be installed on a computer to make it usable. Knowledge
of the wide range of Operating Systems is very essential. When you
purchase a new computer or mobile device, it typically has an
operating system preinstalled. Your preference for an operating
system often determines the computers you can consider purchasing
Activity:
Ryan, a first-year IT student, is very excited to attend his first online class. A few weeks
before that start of the semester, Ryan had a tutorial session with her sister, Rain, on how to
properly use the computer. They have one desktop computer and one laptop at home. The laptop
was solely used by Rain for her IT projects. They used Rain’s laptop during the tutorial session.
Ryan was a bit confused while navigating through the applications on the laptop. He was not
acquainted with how Windows 10 works, he was more familiar with Windows 7, the OS
installed on the desktop computer. But Ryan was amazed at how fast the laptop works. The
application he wants to open loads very fast and he can easily switch from one application to
another. It was a different scenario when he was using their desktop computer. It would take
time for the desktop computer to load a certain application, which somehow affects how Ryan
completes a certain task. Rain offered to share the laptop with Ryan for his online classes. Since
they will be sharing one laptop, Rain created another user account for Ryan.

1. What could be the reason why Ryan was confused while navigating through
the laptop?
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____________________________________________________________________
2. What could be the cause of the slow performance of Ryan’s desktop computer?
How can it be solved?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. Is it necessary for Rain to create another user account for Ryan? Why? Why not?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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Analysis

1. What is the role of an operating system?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Why is it important to understand how an operating system works?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. How does an Operating System improve computer performance?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Abstraction

Operating System

To efficiently and effectively use computers, you need to understand the functionality of
system software, including operating systems and utility programs. Before you purchase a
software or an application, you must ensure that it works with the operating system installed on
your computer or mobile device.

An Operating System (OS) is a program that acts as an intermediary between the user of a
computer and computer hardware. The purpose of an operating system is to provide an
environment in which user can execute programs in a convenient and efficient manner. It handles
many of the technical details related to using a computer or mobile device, including loading and
running programs, organizing files, protecting our computers from viruses, and controlling
hardware devices so that they can communicate with one another.

In most cases, an operating system resides inside a computer or mobile device. It is

installed on a hard drive in a laptop or desktop. It is the first program loaded into the computer's
memory after the computer is switched on. Operating systems often are written to run on specific
types of computers, based on the needs and capabilities of the computing devices. The same types
of computers, such as laptops, may run different operating systems. It is also possible to run more
than one operating system on the same computer.

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Functions of the Operating System

Every computer and mobile device has an operating system. Regardless of the type
of computing device, operating systems provide similar functions (Figure 3.3). These
functions include:
• starting and shutting down computers and mobile devices
• providing a user interface
• managing programs
• managing memory, coordinating tasks
• configuring devices
• monitoring performance
• establishing an Internet connection
• updating operating system software
• providing file and disk management tools
• controlling a network
• administering security

Figure 3.3 Functions Operating System

(Source: Vermaat, M.E., Sebok, S.I, Freund, S.M., Campbell, J. & Frydenberg, M. (2018). Discovering
Computers 2018: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning)

Introduction to Computing 61
 Functions of
Operating Tasks /
Systems Activities
➢
If a computer or mobile device is off, you press a power button to
turn it on.
➢
The process of starting or restarting a computer or mobile device is
Start and shut called booting. Cold boot refers to the process of starting a computer
down a computer or mobile device from a state when it is powered off completely.
or mobile device
Warm boot refers to the process of restarting a computer or mobile
device while it remains powered on.
➢
Power options include shutting down (powering off) the computer or
mobile device, placing it in sleep mode, or placing it in hibernate
mode.
➢
You interact with an operating system through its user interface.
➢
A user interface (UI) controls how you enter data and instructions
Provide a user and how information is displayed on the screen
interface ➢ With a graphical user interface (GUI), you interact with menus and
visual images by touching, pointing, tapping, or clicking buttons and
other objects to issue commands

➢
How an operating system handles programs directly affects your
productivity.
➢
Most operating systems today support multitasking, wherein it allows
two or more programs or apps to be stored in memory at the same
time.
o The active program currently used is described as running in the
Manage foreground. The other programs which are running but not in
programs use are in the background.
➢
A user interface of a multitasking operating system allows you to
switch easily between foreground and background programs.
➢
Through the operating system, you also can install programs and
apps, as well as remove them.

➢
The purpose of memory management is to optimize the use of a
computer or device’s internal memory (RAM).
➢
Manage memory If several programs or apps are running simultaneously, your
computer or mobile device may use up its available RAM.
➢
When a computer or mobile device runs low on available RAM, this
often results in the computer or mobile device running slowly.

Introduction to Computing 62
 Functions of
Operating Tasks / Activities
Systems
➢
The operating system determines the order in which tasks are processed.
➢
Coordinate Tasks include receiving data from an input device, processing
tasks instructions, sending information to an output device, transferring items
from storage to memory and from memory to storage.
➢
Each device connected to a computer, such as a mouse or keyboard,
requires its own specific driver that must be installed first in order for
Configure the device to function properly.
devices ➢
A driver is a small program that tells the operating system how to
communicate with a specific device.
➢
Operating systems include a performance monitor that assesses and
Monitor reports information about various computer resources and devices.
➢
performance This helps users and administrators identify a problem with resources so
that they can try to resolve any issues.
➢
Establish an Operating systems provide a means to establish Internet connections
➢
Internet Some connections are configured automatically as soon as you connect to
connection the Internet.

Provide file, ➢ Operating systems often provide users with a variety of tools related to
disk, and system managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. Refer to Figure 3.4 for
management
tools the File, Disk and System Management Tools.

Updating ➢ The operating system automatically checks to see if new updates are
operating available, and if so, downloads them from the Internet and installs them
system
software on your computer.
➢
Some operating systems are designed to work with a server on a network
Control a
➢
These multiuser operating systems allow multiple users to share a
network
printer, Internet access, files, and programs
➢
Administrator account on computers allow Network Administrators and
computer owners to access all files and programs, install programs, and
specify settings that affect all users on a computer, mobile device, or
Administer network.
security ➢
Settings include creating user accounts and establishing permissions
which define who can access certain resources and when they can access
those resources.

Introduction to Computing 63
 Figure 3.4 File, Disk and System Management Tools
(Source: Vermaat, M.E., Sebok, S.I, Freund, S.M., Campbell, J. & Frydenberg, M. (2018). Discovering
Computers 2018: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning)

Types of Operating Systems

While there are hundreds of different operating systems available in the market, there are only
three basic categories: desktop, mobile, and server operating systems. Figure 3.5 presents examples of
Operating Systems by category.

Desktop OS Mobile OS Server OS

• Windows 7/8/10 • Google Android • Windows Server

• Mac OS X • Apple iOS • Mac OS X Server
• Linux • Windows Phone • Linux
• Chrome OS • Symbian OS • UNIX
• Blackberry
Figure 3.5. Examples of Operating Systems by category.

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Desktop Operating System

➢
A desktop operating system, also called a stand-alone operating system, is a
complete operating system that controls a single desktop or laptop and could also
work with some tablets. Usually, desktop computers and laptops are part of a
network, working in conjunction with a server operating system to share and
coordinate resources.

Mobile Operating System

➢
Mobile operating systems, also known as a mobile OS, are a type of embedded
operating system. Just like other computer systems, mobile computers including
smartphones, tablets, and wearable computers require an operating system. These
mobile operating systems are less complicated and more specialized for use in
wireless communication. While there are numerous mobile operating

Server Operating Systems

➢
A server operating system is used to control and coordinate computers that are
networked or linked together. It allows multiple users to access and share
resources on a network. Desktop operating systems connected to a network rely on
a server for access to various resources, such as files and printers. Server operating
system is designed to support all sizes of networks, including medium to large-
sized and complex networks such as in big companies and universities. Server
operating system is also capable of handling a large number of transactions and
provides backup capabilities

Application

Operating System Security

1. What personal information are stored on your personal computer or mobile device?

2. Are you doing anything that would make it difficult for someone to access
personal information from your computing devices? How?

Introduction to Computing 65
 3. Investigate the privacy setting on your devices and write down the security features
your devices offers.

4. Do you think computer manufacturers have a responsibility to provide better security

and privacy features? Why or why not?

Closure

Well done! You probably did great for this lesson. You are now ready to
proceed to the next lesson which will cover Mobile Operating Systems.

Introduction to Computing 66