Introduction to

computer Abbas Hussain

Lecturer.

science Bahauddin Zakariya

University, Multan

(System Software)
https://sites.google.com/view/abbashussain

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Outline
• Define Software
• Concept of System Software and Identify its main functions
• Command-line interfaces Vs graphical user interfaces (GUI)
• PC & Server operating system

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 Software
• Software is the term for the programs that tell a computer what to do
and how to do it.
• Manages the computer resources including all hardware devices.
• It works by issuing instructions to computers to perform actions in a
certain order allowing them to process data into information.
Remind:
• Hardware is the term for physical component of any computer system
such as motherboard and peripheral devices.

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 Software
two main categories .
• Application Software: It includes program that perform a similar task
such as word processing spreadsheet analysis or database management.
Application software is a type of computer program that performs a
specific personal, educational, and business function.
computer program designed to carry out a specific task other than one
relating to the operation of the computer itself,
• System Software: It includes those programs that control the operations
of computer system, meaning the system unit as well as all components
and devices that make up the computer system.
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 Function of Operating Software
• Operating system (OS) is the most important piece of software on a personal computer the
location of operating system identifies the boot drive for the personal computer.
• A boot drive, often called a system drive or a startup drive, is the storage device
containing the essential files required to start your computer’s operating system (OS)
• Normally the boot drive is hard drive.
• When computer is started, operating system is loaded into the random-access memory
(RAM) from the boot drive.
• Once computer started it start manages the computer system and perform a variety of enter
dependent functions related to input and output process and manage storage.
• An operating system (OS) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the
computer by a boot program, manages all of the other application programs in a computer.
The application programs make use of the operating system by making requests for
services through a defined application program interface (API).
• A computer drive is a hardware component that stores and retrieves digital data on a
computer. It can be either a hard disk drive
Bahauddin (HDD)
Zakariya or a solid-state drive (SSD).
University, Multan.
 Function of Operating Software
• Managing main memory or RAM
• Configuring and controlling peripheral devices
• Managing essential files operations including formatting or copying
disk and remaining or deleting files.
• Monitoring system performance
• Providing a user interface

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Operating System Developer Computer Designed for Year

Windows 11 Microsoft Corporation IBM PC and compatibles 2022

Windows 10 Microsoft Corporation IBM PC and compatibles 2015

Windows 8 Microsoft Corporation IBM PC and compatibles 2012

Windows 7 Microsoft Corporation IBM PC and compatibles 2009

Windows Vista Microsoft Corporation IBM PC and compatibles 2007

Windows XP Microsoft Corporation IBM PC and compatibles 2001

Macintosh OS X Apple Computer Macintosh 2001

Windows 2000 Microsoft Corporation IBM PC and compatibles 2000

OS/2 warp IBM IBM PC and compatibles 1994

Linux various including Red Hat Novell, SUSE, and Ubuntu various various

Commonly used Operating Systems for Personal Computer

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 Function of Operating Software (1/3)
• Booting (Starting) the computer
• The procedure for starting or restarting a computer is called booting.
• As OS is housed in the boot drive.
• Starting a computer after power has been turned off is referred as a
cold boot.
• Restarting the computer while the power is still on its called a warm
boot.

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 Function of Operating Software (2/3)
• Booting (Starting) the computer
• When a computer is booted an electrical current from the power supply sends
signals to the motherboard and its component including the processor chip.
• The electrical current resets the processor which then looks for read only memory
(ROM) then BIOS chip the basic input output system.
• The BIOS chip contains instructions that start the computer. It also performed a
series of tests called power on self test (POST).
• POST instructions check the computers component and peripheral devices
including ran the system clock keyboard mouse and disk drives.

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 Function of Operating Software (3/3)
• Booting (Starting) the computer
• If all devices are working properly the BIOS searches for the boot
drive for operating system files.
• So, now operating system then takes control of the computer and loads
the system configuration and other necessary operating system files
into memory.
• The kernel is an operating system program that manages:
• Computer components peripheral devices and memory.
• It also maintains the system clock and load other operating system and
application program as they are required.

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 Software User Interfaces
• All software including operating systems contains a user interface that
allow communication between the software and the user.
• the point of human-computer interaction and communication on a
device, webpage, or app. This can include display screens, keyboards,
a mouse, and the appearance of a desktop. User interfaces enable users
to effectively control the computer or device they are interacting with.

• There are two types user interfaces:

• Command line interface
• Graphical user interface
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 Software User Interfaces
• Command line interface
• Early personal computer operating systems including CP/M (control program for
microcomputers) and DOS (disk operating system), used what is known as a
command line interface.
• Interface presents the user with a symbol called a prompt (C:\>), represent that
computer is ready to receive a command.
• User would respond by typing in our line of code telling the computer what to do.

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Software User
Interfaces

• Command line interface

For example, the command COPY C :\
Assignment1.docx D:\
This command giving instruction to
computer copy a file name assignment to 1
from C drive and paste it into D drive.

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Software User
Interfaces

• Graphical User interface

• In 1983 apple computer introduce its
visa computer Lisa Fisher an entirely
new kind of operating system with
screen display known as a graphical user
interface (GUI).
• Very popular and easy to use than
command line interfaces.
• Contains icons

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 Software User Interfaces
Graphical User interface

A typical GUI offers many

features to make tasks easier,
including.

• On Screen desktop
• Display windows
• Keys features option menus
• Common command icons
• Dialog boxes
• Online help

Windows 11- GUI

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 Personal Computer Operating System
Windows:
Microsoft embraced the term “Windows” to
describe the graphical user interface it
developed for use on Pcs.

Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7

Macintosh Operating System.

Macintosh Operating System.

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 Personal Computer Operating System
Linux

Linux User Interface

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Server Operating Systems
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 Server Operating Systems

Some operating system are designed specifically for use with local area networks,
allowing multiple users to connect to the server and to share network.

• Windows:
Windows 2000 Server
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2008

• UNIX
• Linux

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 References
Floyd Fuller & Brian Larson (2012). Exploring Computers,
Complete 2012

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Thank you !

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