NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
551 M.F. Jhocson St. Sampaloc, Manila, PH 1008

Operating Systems
and Utility Programs
ENCFAP2L
Computer Fundamentals and Programming – Laboratory

Engr. Lorenzo T. Diuco II

Instructor
Contents
• Definition of System Software
• Two Types of System Software
• Functions of Operating System (OS)
• Different Categories of OS
• Different Utility Programs
Objectives
• To describe the two types of software
• To describe the functions of an OS
• To summarize the startup process on a computer
• To summarize the features of several stand-alone operating
system
• To briefly describe various server OS
• To summarize the features of several embedded OS
• To explain the purpose of several utility programs
Software
System Software
• It consists of the programs that control or maintain the
operations of the computer and its devices. Serves as the
interface between the user, the application software and
computer hardware.
Operating System (OS)
Operating System (OS) - Set of programs that coordinates all
activities among computer hardware resources or programs
which monitors, controls and maintains the computer
Functions of OS
Starting and Shutting down a computer

Booting- starting or restarting a

computer

Cold Boot- Turning on a computer

completely powered off.

Warm Boot- Restarting a computer

Sleep Mode- Puts the computer in a

low power consumption state
 Providing a user interface
• The user interface controls how you
enter a data and instructions and
how information is displayed on the
screen

• Graphical user interface- use of

menus, buttons, objects to issue a
command

• Command line interface- typing of

commands or special keys to enter
data and instructions.
 Managing Programs
Single user/single task OS – Allows only one user to run one program
at a time

Single user/multitasking OS- allows one user to run on two or more

programs at a time. The foreground (active program) and the
background programs

Multiuser OS – allows 2 or more users to run programs

simultaneously.

Multiprocessing OS – allow 2 or more processors running programs at

the same time
Managing Memory
Configuring devices
Memory management-Optimizes the
use of random access memory Driver- a small program that tells the
(RAM) OS how to communicate with a
specific device. If you attach a new
Virtual Memory (VM)- Operating device to a computer, its driver must
system allocates portion of hard disk be installed before you can use the
to function like RAM ,Paging and device;
Thrashing
Plug and Play - the OS automatically
configures new devices as you install
them. A user can plug in a device,
and use the device without having to
configure the system manually.
Coordinating Tasks
The operating system determines Spooling - the use of buffers with
the order in which tasks are printed documents; sends
processed; documents to be printed to a
buffer instead of sending them
immediately to the printer;
Task, or job - is an operation the
processor manages;
Queue - multiple print jobs line
up
Buffer - is a segment of memory
or storage in which items are
placed while waiting to be
transferred from an input device
or to an output device;
Establishing an internet
connection

OS provides a means to
establish internet connection.

Some OS also include a

web browser and an email
program that enables the
user to use the web as soon
as the internet is up
Monitoring performance

Performance monitor - a
program that assesses and
reports information about
various computer resources
and devices.

Information in the
performance report helps
users or administrators
identify a problem so that
they can try to resolve.
Providing file management Updating Software
and other utilities automatically
OS can provide users with the Automatic update - a feature of
capability of managing files, most OS that allows automatic
searching for files, viewing updating to check for bugs
images, securing a computer (errors), security enhancement,
programs, cleaning up and other updates.
diagnosing problems, backing
up setting up screen savers.
from unauthorized uninstalling Service Pack - free
access, disks, defragmenting downloadable updates provided
disks, files and disks, and setting to users who registered or
up screen savers activated their software.
Controlling a Network Administering security
Server operating system - an OS that Administrator account - with overall
organizes and coordinates multiple access to files and programs,
user access and share resources on a granting of user access and
network; establishing permissions;

Network Administrator - the person User name or User ID- a unique

overseeing network operations identification granted to a user
account in letters, numbers or
alphanumeric characters;

Password - a private combination of

characters associated with a user
name that allows access to certain
computer resources.
Categories of OS
1. Stand-alone OS
• A complete OS that works on a desktop computer, notebook computer,
or mobile computing device;
• Some stand-alone OS are called Client OS because they work in
conjunction with a server OS, can operate with or without a network.
• Windows 7 - Microsoft's latest OS (as of the date of publication of the
reference book). As of date (June 2021), the latest version is Windows.
10. Refer to your IM for available versions of Windows 7.
• Mac OS X - Apple's latest OS (as of the date of publication of the
reference book). As of date (June 2021), the latest version is Mac OS Big
Sur (version 11). Mac is short for Macintosh.
Categories of OS
1. Stand-alone OS
• UNIX - a multiuser, multitasking OS often used by power users
(internet servers, workstations and mainframe computers) because of
its flexibility and power.
• LINUX- a popular, UNIX-type OS. Linux is an open source software
(code is available for the public to use, modify or redistribute).
Categories of OS
2. Server OS
• A server OS is designed to specifically support a network. It typically
resides on a server.
• Many of the stand-alone OS functions as clients and work in
conjunction with a server OS. The client computers on the network rely
on the server(s) for resources.
Categories of OS
3. Embedded OS
• Embedded OS resides on a ROM chip on a mobile device or consumer
electronic device.
• This OS on most mobile devices and many consumer electronics. (Refer
to IM for the details of the examples below.)
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 OS include several built-in utility programs but some

users would prefer to buy stand-alone utilities because they
offer improvements over built in utility programs.
Examples of Utility Programs
File Manager
• A file manager is a utility program performs functions related to
file management (organizing files, copying, renaming, deleting,
moving, and sorting files.
• A folder is a specific named location on a storage medium that
contains related documents.

Search Utility
• A search utility is a program that attempts to locate a file on your
computer based on criteria you specify
Examples of Utility Programs
Uninstaller
• An uninstaller is a utility that removes a program, as well as
any associated entries in the system files.

Image Viewer
• An image viewer is a utility that allows users to display, copy, and
print the contents of a graphics file.

Disk Cleanup
• A disk cleanup utility searches for and removes unnecessary files.
Examples of Utility Programs
Disk Defragmenter
• A disk defragmenter is a utility that reorganizes the files and
unused space on a computer's hard disk so that the OS accesses
data more quickly and programs run faster.

Backup & Restore Utilities

• A backup utility allows users to copy, or backup, selected files on
an entire hard disk to another storage medium. A restore utility
reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original
form, in the event you need to use a backup file.
Examples of Utility Programs
Screen Saver
• 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 mouse
activity occurs for a specified time.

Personal Firewall
• 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.
Examples of Utility Programs
Antivirus Programs
• A computer virus is a potentially damaging computer program
that works without the knowledge or permission of the user.
• A worm copies itself repeatedly using up system resources and
possibly shutting down the system.
• A Trojan horse hides within or looks like a legitimate program.
• An antivirus program protects a computer against viruses by
identifying and removing viruses found.
Examples of Utility Programs
Spyware and Adware Removers
• A spyware is a program placed on a computer without the
user's knowledge that secretly collects information about the
user.
• Adware is a program that displays online advertisement in a
banner or pop-up window.
• A spyware remover detects and removes spyware and similar
programs.
• An adware remover detects and deletes adware.
Examples of Utility Programs
Internet Filters
• A filter is a program that removes or blocks certain items from being
displayed. The 4 widely used internet filters are the following:
1. Anti-spam program - attempts to remove spam (an unsolicited e mail
message or newsgroup posting) before it reaches your inbox.
2. Web filtering software - restricts access to certain material on the Web.
3. Phishing filter - warns or blocks you from potentially fraudulent or
suspicious web sites. Phishing is a scam in which perpetrators attempt to
obtain your personal and/or financial information.
4. Pop-up blocker - stops pop-up ads from displaying on web pages. A pop-up
ad is an internet advertisement that suddenly appears in a new window in
the foreground of a web page displayed in your browser.
Examples of Utility Programs
File Compression
• A file compression utility shrinks the size of a file. Compressing
files frees up room and improves system performance.
• Zipped files - compressed files.

Disc Burning
• Disc burning software writes text, graphics, audio and video
files on a recordable or rewritable CD, DVD or Blu-ray Disc.
Examples of Utility Programs
Media Player
• A media player is a program that allows you to view images
and animations, listen to audio, and watch video files on the
computer.

Personal Computer Maintenance

• A personal computer maintenance utility identifies and fixes OS
problems, detects and repairs disk problems, and includes the
capability of improving a computer's performance.
Links/Resources
3. Operating Systems and Utility Programs
• https://www.siyavula.com/read/it/grade-10-it
• https://www.tutorialspoint.com/basics_of_computers/index.htm
• https://www.slideshare.net/samudin/operating-systems-and-utility-pro
grams-8466312
• https://www.d.umn.edu/~rmaclin/cs1011/notes/L08_C08_OS.pdf
• https://www.slideshare.net/sgisave/functions-of-operating-system
• https://www.learncomputerscienceonline.com/system-software/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oul--fTukng