WHAT IS OPERATING

SYSTEM?
 OPERATING SYSTEM
 (OS) controls how the CPU communicate with other parts of the computer. It
tells your computer how to run itself and other programs as well. It makes
operating computers easier for people who do not understand programming
languages.

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It
manages the computer's memory, processes, and all of its software and
hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without
knowing how to speak the computer's "language." Without an operating
system, a computer is useless
THE OPERATING SYSTEM'S JOB

You've probably heard the phrase boot your computer, but

do you know what that means? Booting is the process that
occurs when you press the power button to turn your
computer on. During this process (which may take a minute
or two), the computer does several things:

• It runs tests to make sure everything is working correctly.

• It checks for new hardware.
• It then starts up the operating system.

Windows 7 startup screen

• Once the operating system has started up, it manages all of the software and
hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are many different
programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your
computer's Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The
operating system coordinates all of this to make sure that each program gets
what it needs. Without the operating system, the software wouldn't even be
able to talk to the hardware, and the computer would be useless.

Windows 7, after starting up

 TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

Generally, there are four types, based on the

type of computer they control and the sort of
applications they support.
1. Single-user, single task
 This type manages the computer so that one
user can effectively do one thing at a time.
2. Real-time operating system (RTOS) - Real-time operating systems are used to
control machinery, scientific instruments and industrial systems. An RTOS
typically has very little user-interface capability, and no end-user utilities, since
the system will be a "sealed box" when delivered for use. A very important part
of an RTOS is managing the resources of the computer so that a particular
operation executes in precisely the same amount of time, every time it occurs.
In a complex machine, having a part move more quickly just because system
resources are available may be just as catastrophic as having it not move at all
because the system is busy.
3. Single-user, multi-tasking - This is the type of operating system
most people use on their desktop and laptop computers today.
Microsoft's Windows and Apple's MacOS platforms are both
examples of operating systems that will let a single user have several
programs in operation at the same time. For example, it's entirely
possible for a Windows user to be writing a note in a word processor
while downloading a file from the Internet while printing the text of
an e-mail message.
4. Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows many different users to
take advantage of the computer's resources simultaneously. 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 entire
community of users. Unix, VMS and mainframe operating systems, such
as MVS, are examples of multi-user operating systems.
MOBILE OS
An operating system for smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices is called mobile
OS. Some of the most popular OS for mobile devices includes−
 Android − This Linux-based OS by Google is the most popular mobile OS currently. Almost
85% of mobile devices use it.
 Windows Phone 7 − It is the latest mobile OS developed by Microsoft.
 Apple iOS − This mobile OS is an OS developed by Apple exclusively for its own mobile
devices like iPhone, iPad, etc.
 Blackberry OS − This is the OS used by all blackberry mobile devices like smartphones and
playbooks.
 THREE MOST COMMON OS

 The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft
Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.

The Windows, OS X, and Linux logos

Modern operating systems use a Graphical User Interface,
or GUI (pronounced "gooey"). A GUI lets you use your mouse to click
on icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the
screen using a combination of graphics and text.

Each operating system's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to
a different operating system it may seem unfamiliar at first. However,
modern operating systems are designed to be easy to use, and most of the
basic principles are the same.

Before GUIs, computers had a command-line interface, which meant the

user had to type every single command to the computer, and the computer
would only display text.
 The OS X GUI

The Windows GUI

The OS X GUI
MICROSOFT WINDOWS
• Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-
1980s. Over the years, there have been many different versions of
Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 (released in
2015), Windows 7 (released in 2009), Windows Vista (2007),
and Windows XP (2001). Windows comes preloaded on most new
PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in
the world.
MACOS

• macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by

Apple. It comes preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the
specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High Sierra (2017),
and Sierra (2016).
• According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less
than 10% of global operating systems—much lower than the percentage of
Windows users (more than 80%). One reason for this is that Apple computers
tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and feel
of macOS over Windows.
 LINUX

• Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating

systems, which means they can be modified and distributed by
anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary
software like Windows, which can only be modified by the
company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it is free,
and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can
choose from.

• According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less

than 2% of global operating systems. However, most servers run
Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.
HOW DO I TELL THE OS WHAT I WANT TO
DO?

•You must continue to give the operating

system commands that are accepted and
executed.

• The first command was pushing the “ON”

button which started the “boot” process.
ENTER COMMANDS
• Commands can be entered several ways:
• Through a keyboard.
• Pointing or clicking on an object with a mouse.
(Graphical User Interface or GUI)

• Sending a command from another program.

 GUI – STANDARDS
• GUI interfaces have standards that are usually the
same or similar in all systems and applications.

• Standards apply to:

• Pointers and pointing devices
• Icons, desktops, windows and menus
 WINDOWS- GUI POINTERS
•GUI uses pictures, symbols, or icons rather than
words to represent some object or function. For
example:

•A pointer or mouse pointer is a small

arrow or other symbol that moves on the
screen as you move a mouse.
• An I-Beam pointer is used by many
desktop publishing systems and word
processors to mark blocks of text and
move the insertion point.
 GUI – CURSORS / POINTERS
• The term “cursor”
typically is used to
show where your
typing will appear.
Otherwise, the
term “pointer” is
the better choice.
 WINDOWS - GUI ICONS
• Icon - A small picture that
represents a command, object,
file, or window.
• Point and click with a mouse to
execute a command or convert the
icon into a window.
• Icons are moveable around the
display screen, just like moving
things around on your desk.
 OBJECT ICONS & SHORTCUT ICONS

• One type of •You can create

icon is an and use a shortcut
object icon. It icon to open any
allows you to application
open quickly. You
applications don’t have to use
and the Start Menu to
documents on access a program
your PC. or document.
 WINDOWS - GUI MENUS
• Menu - is an on-screen list of options
for using a program. It can also be a list
of categories with many other menu
options under it. Menus can "pop up"
or "pull down."
WINDOWS - GUI WINDOWS & DESKTOP
• You can divide the
screen into different
areas.
• In each window, you
can run a different
program or display a
different file.
• You can move windows
around the display screen,
and change their shape and
size at will.
PARTS OF THE DESKTOP
 WINDOWS - TASKBAR

• Taskbar – shows you the windows or programs that are

currently open on the desktop. You can switch between
windows by clicking on the applicable button.
Each taskbar button represents an open program
(“a task in progress”)
 WINDOWS – SYSTEM TRAY

• System Tray – shows you running

programs that were started
automatically by the operating
system, like anti-virus programs,
the clock and volume controls.
These programs are running in
the background.
 WINDOWS - QUICK LAUNCH TOOLBAR

• Quick Launch Toolbar – contains one-click buttons,

or shortcuts, which open programs. You can
customize this toolbar however you like.
 START BUTTON
• The start button allows you to easily access your
computer programs or configure Windows. By
default the start button is located at the bottom
left side of the screen.
 PARTS OF A WINDOW

Scroll bar
 OS SIMPLE SETTING

Changing System Date and Time

We can set system date and time in three
ways given below −
• Step 1 − One way is to just click the clock
on task bar and perform Step 4 and Step 5.
• Step 2 − Another alternate way is to go to
the "Control Panel" from Start menu and
select "Clock, Language and Region", and
select "Date and Time" and perform Step
4 and Step 5.
• Step 3 − In the window displayed, select "Change date and time”
• Step 4 − Set corresponding date and time, and finally press "OK" button.
CHANGING DISPLAY PROPERTIES
Display properties include Desktop Background, Text, Window Color, Sounds,
Screensaver, etc. To change these display properties, we have to perform the
following steps.
• Step 1 − Right click on desktop and select "Personalize" from displaying options.
• Step 2 − From the displayed window, select desired action, like changing the
background/themes/resolution, and press "Save Changes" button.
• Step 3 − Alternate way is to go to the "Control Panel" from Start menu and
select "Appearance and Personalization" and select display you want from the listed
options and save changes.
TO ADD OR REMOVE A WINDOWS
COMPONENT
In order to add or remove Windows component, follow the below steps −
• Step 1 − Type "add or remove programs" in the search box and select "Add or
Remove Programs" under control panel and follow Step 3 and Step 4.
• Step 2 − Alternate way is to select "Control Panel" from start
menu and select "Uninstall a Program" from "Program" and
follow Step 3 and Step 4.
• Step 3 − Click "Turn Windows features on or off" on left side of
programs and features window.
• Step 4 − From window displayed, add or remove the program you want, and
click "OK" button.
Changing Mouse Properties
Properties of the mouse can be changed by following steps below −
• Step 1 − Go to "Control Panel" from start menu.
• Step 2 − Select "Hardware and Sound" and select "Device and Printers" from
the listed options.
properties and "Apply" changes.
• Button − Changes primary and secondary button and double-click speed.
• Pointer − Changes image seen during specific window operation.
• Pointer Options − Changes precision of pointer, speed and visibility of long or short pointer.
• Wheels − Changes horizontal and vertical scrolling.
• Hardware − Helps to view properties of mouse.
• Device Setting − Required only if we are using the laptop.
Adding and Removing Printers
To add or remove printers we have to execute following steps −
• Step 1 − Go to "Control Panel" from start menu.
• Step 2 − Select "Hardware and Sound" and select "Device and Printers" from
the listed options.
• Step 3 − Now under "Devices and Printers", we can add a printer using "Add
a Printer" tab at top of the window.

Step 4 − To remove a printer, "Right Click" by placing the cursor on printer you want
to remove, and select "Remove Device" from popped up menu.