Scribd
Upload
26 views32 pages

Chapter 6A

This document discusses operating system basics, including the main functions of operating systems such as providing a user interface, running programs, managing hardware devices, and organizing file storage. It then describes different types of operating systems, including real-time, single-user/single-tasking, single-user/multitasking, and multi-user/multitasking operating systems. Finally, it covers topics like graphical and command line user interfaces, running programs, sharing information between programs, managing hardware, organizing files and folders, and enhancing an operating system with utilities like backup software, anti-virus software, firewalls, and screen savers.

Uploaded by

Ali Haider
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
26 views32 pages

Chapter 6A

This document discusses operating system basics, including the main functions of operating systems such as providing a user interface, running programs, managing hardware devices, and organizing file storage. It then describes different types of operating systems, including real-time, single-user/single-tasking, single-user/multitasking, and multi-user/multitasking operating systems. Finally, it covers topics like graphical and command line user interfaces, running programs, sharing information between programs, managing hardware, organizing files and folders, and enhancing an operating system with utilities like backup software, anti-virus software, firewalls, and screen savers.

Uploaded by

Ali Haider
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 32

CHAPTER 6A

Operating System Basics


FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING
SYSTEMS
• Provide a user interface
• Run programs
• Manage hardware devices
• Organized file storage

7A-2
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

• Real-time operating system


• Very fast small OS
• Built into a device
• Respond quickly to user input
• MP3 players, Medical devices
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

• Single user/Single tasking OS


• One user works on the system
• Performs one task at a time
• MS-DOS and Palm OS
• Take up little space on disk
• Run on inexpensive computers
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

• Single user/Multitasking OS
• User performs many tasks at once
• Most common form of OS
• Windows XP and OS X
• Require expensive computers
• Tend to be complex
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

• Multi user/Multitasking OS
• Many users connect to one computer
• Each user has a unique session
• UNIX, Linux, and VMS
• Maintenance can be easy
• Requires a powerful computer
MULTI USER/MULTI TASKING
OS
PROVIDING A USER INTERFACE

• User interface
• How a user interacts with a computer
• Require different skill sets
PROVIDING A USER INTERFACE

• Graphical user interface (GUI)


• Most common interface
• Windows, OS X, Gnome, KDE
• Uses a mouse to control objects
• Uses a desktop metaphor
• Shortcuts open programs or documents
• Open documents have additional objects
• Task switching
• Dialog boxes allow directed input
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

Icon

Shortcuts

Programs Button
Start Button Notification Area
Quick Launch Area
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

• When you launch a program, it is loaded into memory


• Running program appears in a rectangle box called window frame
• All resources of a system are accessed through operating system
• In windows GUI, programs share many of the same features
• Common GUI features:
• Title bar
• Menu bar
• Toolbars
• Scroll bars
• Many buttons
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

• GUI lets you have many programs running, but you can work in
window at a time only
• Dialog boxes are special purpose windows
• They appear when:
• OS or application needs to give you:
• some status
• Possible choice of actions
• You need to tell a program what to do next
• Dialog boxes can have multiple pages-presented in the form of tabs
PROVIDING A USER INTERFACE

• Command line interfaces


• Older interface
• DOS, Linux, UNIX
• User types commands at a prompt
• User must remember all commands
• Included in all GUIs
COMMAND LINE INTERFACE
RUNNING PROGRAMS

• Many different applications supported


• System call
• Provides consistent access to OS features
RUNNING PROGRAMS
• Other services:
• Saving the contents of files to disk
• Reading the contents of a file from disk into memory
• Sending the document to the printer
• Activating the printer
• Providing resources that allow you to copy or move data
from one document to another, or from one application
to another
• Allocating RAM among the running programs
• Recognizing keystrokes and mouse clicks
SHARING INFORMATION

• Many applications allow you to move data from one to another


• Clipboard
• Example: MS Excel to MS Word
MANAGING HARDWARE

• Programs need to access hardware


• OS is intermediary between programs and hardware
• In a computer network, OS is an intermediary between computer and
other devices on the network
MANAGING HARDWARE

• OS responds to requests for using hardware


• It keeps tracks of which programs has access to which devices
• Resolves the over lapping issues between applications
• OS uses Interrupt Requests (IRQ) to help the CPU coordinate processes
MANAGING HARDWARE
MANAGING HARDWARE

• OS provides special programs to drive some hardware components-


drivers
ORGANIZING FILES AND
FOLDERS
• Organized storage
• Long file names
• Folders can be created and nested
• All storage devices work consistently
ENHANCING AN OS

• Utilities
• Provide services not included with OS
• Goes beyond the four functions
• Firewall, anti-virus and compression
• Prices vary
ENHANCING AN OS

• Backup software
• Archives files onto removable media
• Ensures data integrity
• Most OS include a backup package
• Many third party packages exist
BACKUP SOFTWARE
ENHANCING AN OS

• Anti-virus software
• Crucial utility
• Finds, blocks and removes viruses
• Must be updated regularly
• McAfee and Norton Anti-Virus
ENHANCING AN OS

• Firewall
• Crucial utility
• Protects your computer from intruders
• Makes computer invisible to hackers
• Zone Labs is a home firewall
• Cisco sells hardware firewalls
ENHANCING AN OS

• Intrusion detection
• Often part of a firewall package
• Announces attempts to breach security
• Snort is a Linux based package
ENHANCING AN OS

• Screen savers
• Crucial utility for command line systems
• Prevents burn in
• Merely fun for GUI systems
• Screen saver decorates idle screens
CHAPTER 6A
End of Chapter

You might also like