INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT KOLKATA

Application of Computer
1st Semester

Operating Systems / Environments

BASICS OF WINDOWS

Operating system:

An operating system (OS) is an essential component of a computer system. The primary objectives of an
operating system are to make the computer system convenient to use and to utilize computer hard ware
in an efficient manner. An operating system is a large collection of software which manages the resources
of the computer system, such as memory, processor, file system and input/output devices. It keeps track
of the status of each resource and decides who will have control over computer resources, for how long
and when. The operating system (OS) directly controls computer hard ware resources. Other programs
rely on facilities provided by the operating system to gain access to computer system resources. There are
two ways one can interacts with the operating system.

1. By means of operating System Call in a program.

2. Directly by means of Operating System Commands.

In computing, an operating system is the system software responsible for the direct control and
management of hardware and basic system operations. Additionally, it provides a foundation upon which
to run application software such as word processing programs, web browsers and others. Operating
system is a set of one or more programs, designed to control the operation of a computer system. These
programs are general program written to assist human in the use of the computer system. In general
operating system support the running of other software, communicated with peripheral devices (printers,
scanners, disk and tape drive etc.), support the development of other types of software and monitor the
use of various hardware resources (memory, peripherals, CPU etc.). Thus operating system makes the
operation of the computer system more effective and efficient. Examples of some operating systems are –
Disk Operating System, Windows 95, Windows XP, UNIX, Linux etc.

Operating system performs 3 main functions:

i) It manages computer resources like CPU, memory, hard disk, printer etc.
ii) Establish a user interface.
iii) Execute and provide services for application software.

CHARACTERISTIC OF OPERATING SYSTEM:

The most visible characteristic of an operating system is the user interface, the user interface describes
how the user communicates on-screen with the operating system. It consists of the way options are
presented, the way commands are issued, and other items that affect the method of communication.
Generally, there are three types of user interfaces the command-driven interface, the menu-driven
interface and the icon-driven interface.

1) COMMAND-DRIVEN INTERFACE:

With command-driven interfaces, user’s type commands which tell the operating system what the user
wants the computer to do

2) MENU-DRIVEN INTERFACE:
Menu-driven interfaces are a bit easier for new personal computer users to work with because they
don't require any memorization of commands. A menu-driven interface lets you control the operating
system through a series of pull-down menus which are usually hidden beneath key words which are
Page 1

Mainak Sarkar
 INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT KOLKATA
Application of Computer
1st Semester

located at the top of the screen. Users ``pull down'' these menus with a mouse or another input
device by clicking on the key word at the top of the screen.

3) ICON DRIVEN INTERFACE

Icon-driven interfaces are different from menu-driven interfaces because the icons (symbols and
pictures) represent the commands the user needs the computer to carry out. A user needs a mouse or
pointing device to point and click on the icon to command the PC to do something. Most icon-driven
interfaces also use menus for more detailed commands. Forming graphical icons takes quite a bit of
RAM. Therefore, high-end personal computers are better suited for operating systems using icon-driven
interfaces. Besides being more fun to look at, the point and click atmosphere involved with an icon-
driven interface can be far easier to manipulate than command-driven interfaces with their extensive
command lines.

FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING SYSTEM:

Operating systems are responsible for disk and file management functions. They are also responsible for
the communication between the PC and application programs.

1. DISK MANAGEMENT

Disk management sounds more complicated than it is. All personal computers work with disks, so
disk management is common to all personal computers. The operating system helps you manage
a disk with the formatting function. Before anything can be stored on a disk or diskette, it must
be formatted. Formatting is the process of preparing a blank disk or diskette to store information.
Disk management incorporates the copying of the entire contents of one disk to another. Users
can copy the hard disk to floppy diskettes or vice versa, and a diskette's entire contents can be
copied to another diskette. The operating system even erases entire disks.

2. FILE MANAGEMENT

File management is just like disk management, except that it deals with files. Files are collections
of information about specific items which are then stored on disk. The operating system allows
users to make copies of files between disks and diskettes. Most operating systems organize your
files in a hierarchical directory structure. The root directory is at the top, and subdirectories and
files branch downward from the root directory. Operating systems allow you to rename files, erase
files and move files between directories.

3. INTERACTION WITH APPLICATION PROGRAMS

Spreadsheets calculate and word processors write text. If each application program also had to
manage files and disks, application programs would be huge and use extensive amounts of RAM. So
instead of each application having individual directions to carry out these functions, application
programs are written to do their job (like calculate spreadsheets or write text) in the language of
the operating system, which in turn communicates with the files and disks. Think of the operating
system as a multi-lingual interpreter.

EXAMPLE:

For example, a simple task such as writing a letter requires the operating system (OS) to coordinate
system components and the application software to do its specialized tasks. The operating system alone
Page 2

Mainak Sarkar
 INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT KOLKATA
Application of Computer
1st Semester

has no capability for sophisticated word processing, while the application alone can’t communicate with
system components. Here’s the breakdown of a typical job: Task: Composing a document in Microsoft
Word for Windows 95

Windows Operating System and its features.

Windows is an operating system developed and marketed by Microsoft. Windows is a Graphical User
Interface (GUI) Operating System. GUI means a platform where items are represented by an icon on the
screen which is easier to remember. You need not to remember lengthy and complex syntax for
performing different operations. Windows operating system gives us a readymade on screen menu system
that helps us finding suitable option for our task. Just select the job we wish to do and all the internal
processing will be done by the operating system itself without asking us about typical commands.
Windows operating system also gives us a multitasking, multithreading environment. It means that if we
are working in an operating system that supports GUI, we will be able to open more than one task at a
time. Windows operating system gives us most user friendly environment where we can get on-line help,
for each and every step we performing.

Windows operating system performs the following tasks:

 Input & Output Management

 Resource Management Data Management
 Process Management
 User interface.

WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM: SALIENT FEATURES:

1. Graphical User Interface (GUI) - Items represented by pictures, which are easier to remember.

2. User friendly - Easier to learn and use.

3. Multitasking - Facility to run more than one application at a time. For e.g. you can type a letter
while printing another one.

4. Multithreading - Facility to transfer data between different applications. For e.g. a picture can be
inserted in a Letter or vice versa.

4. Common Menus - For e.g. same commands for printing in all software’s.

5. Runs in protected mode - The protected mode ensure that the failure of any one program does
not halt the computer.

6. Faster processing - (called 32/64 Bit processing) enhances system efficiency.

7. Support for - LAN, Multimedia and Internet.

9. On-Line Help facility.

10. Windowing capability.

Page 3

Mainak Sarkar
 INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT KOLKATA
Application of Computer
1st Semester

Parts of a Typical Window and their Functions

Elements of the Windows XP Desktop

Icon - A small picture that represents an object available to your computer.

Pointer - A small object, such as an arrow, that moves on the screen when you move the mouse.

Desktop - Your workplace on the screen.

Date/Time- Shows the current date and time and lets you set the clock. Generally located in the lower
right corner of the desktop.

Start Button - provides access to Windows XP programs, documents, and information on the Internet.
Generally located in the lower left corner of the desktop.

Taskbar - Contains buttons that give you quick access to common tools and the programs currently
running. Generally located along the bottom of the desktop.

Page 4

Mainak Sarkar
 INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT KOLKATA
Application of Computer
1st Semester

Various parts of the windows explorer and their respective purposes.

Title Bar - Identifies the current window and drive/folder being viewed.

Standard Buttons Toolbar - Shortcuts for accomplishing tasks with Explorer.

Address Toolbar - Displays the location of the selected folder.

Folders/Drives List - Displays the drives and directories available.

List of Contents - Displays the contents of the selected drive/folder.

Status Bar - Displays information about the selected item.

Page 5

Mainak Sarkar
INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT KOLKATA
Application of Computer
1st Semester

Various parts of the notepad window

Title bar - Displays the name of the

document and program.

Minimize, Maximize, and Close

buttons - These buttons hide the
window, enlarge it to fill the whole
screen, and close it, respectively.

Menu bar - Contains items that you

can click to make choices in a program.
See Using menus, buttons, bars, and
boxes.

Scroll bar - Lets you scroll the

contents of the window to see
information that is currently out of
view.

Borders and corners - You can drag

these with your mouse pointer to
change the size of the window.

Page 6

Mainak Sarkar