System

Software
Chapter 4
Computing
Essentials 2014

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

© 2014 by McGraw-Hill Education. This proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not
© 2014 by McGraw-Hill Education. This proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale for
authorized or distribution in any manner.
sale or distribution This document
in any manner. may notmay
This document be copied, scanned,
not be copied, scanned,
duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part. duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.
 Competencies (Page 1 of 2)

 Describe the differences between system

software and application software.
 Discuss the four types of system software.
 Discuss the basic functions, features, and
categories of operating systems.
 Discuss mobile operating systems including
Blackberry OS, iOS, Android, Windows Phone ,
and WebOS.

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Competencies (Page 2 of 2)

 Describe Windows, Mac OS, UNIX, Linux,

and virtualization.
 Describe the purpose of utilities and utility
suites.
 Identify the four most essential utilities.
 Discuss Windows utility programs.
 Describe device drivers, including Windows’
Add a Device Wizard and Update.

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Introduction
 Computers are ubiquitous in our lives and we
expect them to “be there when we need
them”.
 We give little thought to the processes and
programs running behind the scenes to keep
them functioning effectively.
 Such programs (i.e. operating
systems, utility programs, and
device drivers) are the system
software you learn about here.

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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System Software
 Handles the technical details
 Includes the operating system, utilities,
device drivers, and language translators

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Operating Systems
 A collection of programs that handle technical
tasks
 Manage resources
 Provide user interface
 Run applications
 Examples:
 Windows 7
 Mac OS X
 Also called the software environment or
platform

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Functions of an Operating System
 Manages computer resources
 Coordinate memory, processing, storage, printers and
monitors
 Monitor system performance
 Schedule tasks
 Provide security
 Start-up the computer
 Provides user interface
 Graphical user interface (GUI)
 Runs applications
 Multitasking
 Foreground and background applications

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Features of an Operating System
 Booting
 Features in common with application software
 Icons
 Pointer
 Windows
 Menus
 Tabs
 Dialog boxes
 Help
 Gesture Control
 Files and Folders

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Categories of Operating Systems
 Three basic categories
 Embedded operating systems (handheld)
 Smartphones
 Cable TV tuner boxes
 Video game systems
 Network operating systems (linked computers)
 Windows Server, Linux, Unix
 OS stored on network server which coordinates all
communication between the other computers
 Stand-alone operating systems (desktop)
 Also called client operating system

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Mobile Operating Systems
 Mobile OS
 Embedded operating system in every
smartphone
 Some of the best known
 Android
 BlackBerry OS
 iOS
 WebOS
 Windows Phone

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Virtualization
 Ability to support multiple operating
systems on a single physical machine
 Virtualization software
 Each virtual machine appears as a
separate independent computer
 Host operating system
 Guest operating system
 Hyper-V

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Utilities

 Specialized programs to make computing

easier
 Most essential utilities
 Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
 Antivirus programs
 Backup programs
 File compression programs

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Utility Suites
 Combine several programs into one
package
 Less expensive
 Popular suites
 Bit Defender
 Norton Utilities
 ZoneAlarm

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Making IT Work for You – Windows Task Manager

 Has your computer ever just stopped

responding? What do you do?
 Windows Task Manager is designed to
help.

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Device Drivers
 Allow communication between a device and
the computer
 Loaded into memory each time a computer is
started
 When a new device is added, new device
drivers must be installed
 Add a Device Wizard – step-by-step
 Windows already has many drivers within
the system software

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Careers In IT
 Computer support specialist provide technical
support to customers and other users
 Resolve common networking
problems and use
troubleshooting programs to
diagnose problems
 Employers look for a bachelors
degree, good analytical and
communication skills
 Computer support specialist can
expect to earn $31K - $58K annually

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 A Look to the Future - IBM's Aware Supercomputer

 IBM’s Automatic Computing Initiative (ACI)

 Handles time-consuming maintenance
 Self-regulating and virtually invisible
 Self-maintaining servers
 Self-repairing
 Self-updating
 Self-protecting

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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 Open-Ended Questions (Page 1 of 2)

 Describe system software. Discuss each of

the system programs.

 Define operating systems. Describe the basic

features and the three categories of operating
systems.

 What are mobile operating systems? Describe

six leading mobile operating systems.

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part. 18
 Open-Ended Questions (Page 2 of 2)

 What are desktop operating systems?

Compare Windows, Mac OS, Linux and
Chrome OS. Discuss virtualization.

 Discuss utilities. What are the most essential

utilities? What is a utility suite?

 Explain the role of device drivers. Discuss the

Add a Device Wizard and Windows Update.

System Software Computing Essentials 2014

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duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part. 19