SYSTEMS
System: Is a group of integrated parts or components which have a common purpose or an
objective.
Operating System (OS): Is a program which controls the computer hardware directly. It
provides an interface between the computer user and the computer hardware.
Functions of the Operating System
• Provide a way for applications software to communicate with the hardware.
• Manage the computer system resources such as memory and allocate CPU time for the task
being run.
• Manage the transfer of data to and from various peripherals (keyboards, mice, scanners,
printers, etc).
• Manage system security. Many operating systems allocate certain rights to users, a user can
only perform certain tasks/processes upon entering a password.
Types of Operating Systems
1. Single-user System – Is an operating system designed to manage the computer’s resources so
that they can be used by only one user at a time. E.g Microsoft's Windows OS (Windows 7, 8,
10…) and Apple's Mac OS platforms.
Single-user systems can be further categorized into;
i. Single-user System, single-tasking - Allows a single user have only one program in
operation/running at a time.
ii. Single-user System, multi-tasking - Allows a single user have several programs in
operation at the same time. E.g. When a Windows OS user to be writing a note in a word
processor while downloading a file from the Internet at the same time.
2. Multi-user System - A multi-user operating system allows many different users to use the
computer's resources simultaneously at a time. The operating system must make sure that the
requirements of the various users are balanced, and that each of the programs they are using
has sufficient and separate resources so that a problem with one user doesn't affect the rest of
the users. E.g. UNIX, Linux, Windows Server OS (E.g. Windows Server 2008, 2012, etc.)
TYPES OF PROCESSING
➢ REAL-TIME PROCESSING – The system is automatically updated when a change is
made due to a transaction occurring. E.g. In a shop system whereby as soon as an item is sold
the system automatically deducts that item from the stock, so the stock file will always show
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the true stock position. Other examples/applications where real time system is suitable
include; Automated Teller Machines (ATM), Flight bookings, Cinema & Theatre bookings,
etc.
Advantage of Real-Time Processing – Only the most recently updated situation/records are
being shown.
Disadvantage of Real-Time Processing – A real-time system must be an online system
(connected to the network).
➢ BATCH PROCESSING – A number of tasks (jobs) are all collected together and processed
over a set period of time all at once. These tasks (jobs) are collected and then loaded into a
computer system (known as a job queue) and processed all at once (in a batch).
Advantages of Batch Processing
The computer operator can load only one operation no matter how many jobs/tasks (e.g.
meter reading sheets) are there in a batch.
The jobs can be processed when the computer is less busy (e.g. overnight) therefore the use
of resources is being optimized (fully utilized throughout).
Disadvantage of Batch Processing
Batch processing can only be done where there are no timing constraints, i.e files don’t need
to be updated immediately or a response from a computer is not needed straight away.
➢ TRANSACTION PROCESSING – Processing individual data items rather than waiting for
the data to accumulate and be processed collectively at once. Transaction processing takes
place when there is an urgent need, rather than at set intervals like batch processing. Rather
than wait for the data to accumulate, demand processing is usually performed on individual
items of data. E.g. A monthly paid employee leaves halfway through the month; instead of
waiting for the payroll to be done at the end of the month as a batch process, the data could
be input into a disc-based system and the pay worked out for that particular employee.
➢ MULTI-ACCESS AND TIME-SHARING – Is whereby many users can have access to the
same data at the same time.
➢ MULTI-TASKING AND MULTI-PROGRAMMING – Is whereby data is processed from
several programs at a time. The speed of a computer makes it appear as it is doing two jobs
at the same time, although what is happening is that the computer works on one task for a
short time and then on next.
DATA LOGGING
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A data-logging system automatically collects data over a certain period of time. Data logging
involves recording quantities automatically over a set period of time. E.g Weather reporting
system. The time over which the measurements take place is called logging period while the
frequency on which the individual readings are taken (i.e. per second, per minute, per hour, etc)
is referred to as logging interval.
Advantages of data logging
• It can be done 24 hours per day, 365 days per year if necessary.
• It is possible for processing to be carried out immediately if the data logger can send the data
in the form of a radio signal to the main computer.
• Can be used for recording data about fast events that would happen too quickly for you to take
readings manually.
• Can also be used for very slow events where recording them manually is tedious and time
consuming.
• Accurate measurements are made without human error and exactly at the right time because
the readings are taken automatically.
TYPES OF DATA LOGGERS
i. Data loggers with permanent computer connections – Take readings and send them to a
computer via a wire or an electronic signal. The computer can either process the readings at
once to produce a graph or store them on a disk for processing at a later stage.
ii. Data loggers with temporary computer connections – The readings are stored by the data
logger then loaded into a computer at a later date where they can be processed and displayed.
Advantages of data loggers
• Most data loggers do not need to be connected to a computer all the time, instead they store
data in the logger for a particular period of time.
• It is possible to display the data continuously, however this prevents a computer from being
used for other things at the same time.
