Computer Fundamentals

Dr. Abdulsalam Abdullah

Tuesday 22 October 2024

 CHAPTER 5

SYSTEM
SOFTWARE
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:

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: Windows, Mac

OS, UNIX, and Linux

Identify various server operating systems

Explain the purpose of several utility programs

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

When you purchase a personal computer, it usually has system software installed on its hard
disk.

System software

• consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its
devices.
• System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the
computer’s hardware.

Two types of system software are

1. operating systems
2. utility programs.
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.
• Most operating systems perform similar functions that include starting and shutting down a
computer, providing a user interface, managing programs, managing memory, coordinating
tasks, configuring devices, establishing an Internet connection, monitoring performance,
providing file management and other utilities, and automatically updating itself and certain
utility programs. Some operating systems also allow users to control a network and
administer security
• Different sizes of computers typically use different operating systems because operating
systems generally are written to run on a specific type of computer.
OPERATING SYSTEM FUNCTIONS
• Many different operating systems exist; however, most operating systems provide similar functions.
• The following sections discuss functions common to most operating systems. The operating system handles many of these
functions automatically, without ng requiring any instruction from a user.
1 Starting and Shutting Down a Computer

2 Providing a User Interface (Two types of user interfaces are graphical and command-line)

3 Managing Programs (A single user/single tasking, A single user/multitasking, A multiuser, A multiprocessing)

4 Managing Memory (Virtual memory)

5 Coordinating Tasks

6 Configuring Devices (driver, Plug and Play)

7 Establishing an Internet Connection (Set Up a Connection or Network wizard)

8 Monitoring Performance (assesses and reports information about various computer resources and devices)
Providing File Management and Other Utilities (managing, searching, viewing, securing, uninstalling programs, cleaning up disks,
9 defragmenting disks, diagnosing problems, backing up files and disks, and setting up screen savers.)

10 Updating Software Automatically

11 Controlling a Network (server operating system)

12 Administering Security (administrator account, log on)

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
WINDOWS
Most users choose one of these Windows editions: Windows Starter, Windows Home Premium, Windows Ultimate, or Windows
Professional.
Windows Starter
designed for netbooks and other small notebook computers, uses the Windows Basic interface and allows
users easily to search for files, connect to printers and devices, browse the Internet, join home networks,
and connect to wireless networks. This edition of Windows typically is preinstalled on new computers
and not available for purchase in retail stores.

Windows Home Premium

which includes all the capabilities of Windows Starter, also includes Windows Aero with its Aero Flip 3D
feature and provides tools to create and edit high-definition movies, record and watch television shows,
connect to a game console, and read from and write on Blu-ray Discs.

Windows Ultimate
which includes all features of Windows Home Premium, provides additional features designed to keep
your files secure and support for 35 languages.

Windows Professional
users in all sizes of businesses are provided a secure operating environment that uses Windows Aero
where they easily can search for files, protect their computers from unauthorized intruders and unwanted
programs, use improved backup technologies, securely connect to Wi-Fi networks, quickly view
messages on a powered-off, specially equipped notebook computer, easily share documents and
collaborate with other users, and watch and record live television.
Mac OS X
• it was released with Macintosh
computers in 1984.
• Apple’s Macintosh operating
system has set the standard for
operating system ease of use and
has been the model for most of
the new GUIs developed for non-
Macintosh systems.
• The latest version, Mac OS X, is
a multitasking operating system
available only for computers
manufactured by Apple.
UNIX (pronounced YOU-nix)
• is a multitasking operating system.
• Several versions of this operating system
exist, each slightly different. Although some
versions of UNIX have a command line
interface, most versions of UNIX offer a
graphical user interface .
• Today, a version of UNIX is available for
most computers of all sizes. Power users often
work with UNIX because of its flexibility and
power
Linux (pronounced LINN-uks)
• Is one of the faster growing operating
systems.
• Introduced in 1991, is a popular,
multitasking UNIX-type operating system.
• In addition to the basic operating system,
Linux also includes many free
programming languages and utility
programs.
Server Operating Systems
As discussed earlier in this chapter, a server operating system is an operating system that is designed
specifically to support a network. A server operating system typically resides on a server. The client
computers on the network rely on the server(s) for resources.
Embedded Operating Systems
The operating system on most mobile devices and many consumer electronics, called an embedded
operating system, resides on a ROM chip. Popular embedded operating systems include Windows
Embedded CE, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, iPhone OS, BlackBerry, Google Android, embedded
Linux, and Symbian OS.
Utility Programs

• A utility program, also called a utility, is a type of system software that allows a user to perform
maintenance-type tasks, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs.
• Most operating systems include several built-in utility programs. Users often buy stand-alone utilities,
however, because they offer improvements over those included with the operating system.

Functions provided by utility programs include the following:

• managing files, searching for files, uninstalling programs, viewing images, cleaning up disks,
defragmenting disks, backing up files and disks, setting up screen savers, securing a computer from
unauthorized access, protecting against viruses, removing spyware and adware, filtering Internet
content, compressing files, playing media files, burning optical discs, and maintaining a personal
computer
 A file manager is a utility that performs functions related to file management. Some of the file management functions
that a file manager performs are displaying a list of files on a storage medium, organizing files in folders; and copying,
File Manager renaming, deleting, moving, and sorting files. A folder is a specific named location on a storage medium that contains
related documents. Operating systems typically include a file manager.

A search utility is a program that attempts to locate a file on your computer based on criteria you specify. The criteria
could be a word or words contained in a file, date the file was created or modified, size of the file, location of the file, file
Search Utility
name, author/artist, and other similar properties. Search utilities can look through documents, photos, music, and other
files. Operating systems typically include a built-in search utility.

An uninstaller is a utility that removes a program, as well as any associated entries in the system files. When you install
Uninstaller a program, the operating system records the information it uses to run the software in the system files. The uninstaller
deletes files and folders from the hard disk, as well as removes program entries from the system files.

An image viewer is a utility that allows users to display, copy, and print the contents of a graphics file. With an image
viewer, users can see images without having to open them in a paint or image editing program. Most operating systems
Image Viewer
include an image viewer. Windows image viewer is called Windows Photo Viewer

A disk cleanup utility searches for and removes unnecessary files. Unnecessary files may include downloaded program
Disk Cleanup files, temporary Internet files, deleted files, and unused program files. Operating systems, such as Windows, include a
disk scanner utility.

is a utility that 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 the disk, or reorganizing it so that the files are stored in
Disk Defragmenter contiguous sectors, solves this problem
 A backup utility allows users to copy, or back up, selected files or an entire hard disk to another storage medium such as
Backup and another hard disk, optical disc, USB flash drive, or tape.
Restore Utilities a restore utility reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original form. Backup utilities work with a restore
utility.

A screen saver is a utility that causes a display device’s screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or
Screen Saver mouse activity occurs for a specified time. When you press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse, the screen saver
disappears and the screen returns to the previous state.

A personal firewall is a utility that detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions. Personal
firewalls constantly monitor all transmissions to and from a computer. When connected to the Internet, your computer is
Personal Firewall vulnerable to attacks from a hacker. A hacker is someone who tries to access a computer or network illegally. Users with
broadband Internet connections, such as through DSL and cable Internet service, are even more susceptible than those with
dial-up access because the Internet connection always is on.

The term, computer virus, describes a potentially damaging computer program that affects, or infects, a computer
negatively by altering the way the computer works without the user’s knowledge or permission. Once the virus is in a
Antivirus computer, it can spread throughout and may damage your files and operating system. An antivirus program protects a
Programs computer against viruses by identifying and removing any computer viruses found in memory, on storage media, or on
incoming files.

Filters are programs that remove or block certain items from being displayed. Four widely used
Internet filters are anti-spam programs, Web filters, phishing filters, and pop-up blockers.
Internet Filters
 A file compression utility shrinks the size of a file(s). A compressed file takes up less storage
space than the original file. Compressing files frees up room on the storage media and improves
File
system performance. Attaching a compressed file to an e-mail message, for example, reduces the
Compression
time needed for file transmission. Uploading and downloading compressed files to and from the
Internet reduces the file transmission time.

A media player is a program that allows you to view images and animation, listen to audio, and
watch video files on your computer. Media players may also include the capability to organize
media files, convert them to different formats, connect to and purchase media from an online
Media Player media store, download podcasts and vodcasts, burn audio CDs, and transfer media to portable
media players. Windows includes Windows Media Player

Disc burning software writes text, graphics, audio, and video files on a recordable or rewritable
Disc Burning CD, DVD, or Blu-ray Disc. This software enables the home user easily to back up contents of their
hard disk on an optical disc and make duplicates of uncopyrighted music or movies.

Operating systems typically include a diagnostic utility that diagnoses computer problems but does
Personal not repair them. A personal computer maintenance utility identifies and fixes operating system
Computer problems, detects and repairs disk problems, and includes the capability of improving a
Maintenance computer’s performance.
Assignment 1
1. EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER IN DIFFERENT GENERATIONS

2. CLASSIFY COMPUTERS IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BASED ON THEIR

CAPABILITIES
3. COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN SOCIETY
4. SYSTEM UNIT
5. TYPES OF MEMORY
6. INPUT DEVICES
7. OUTPUT DEVICES
8. STORAGE DEVICES
9. OPERATING SYSTEMS
10.UTILITY PROGRAMS