Operating Systems and File

Management
Getting started with operating system (OS)

• System software
 Is the software that runs a computer, including the operating system
and utilities.
• An operating system
 Is the most important software that runs on a computer.
 It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as 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.
 An operating system also is called a platform
Steps in the Boot Process

• To start an operating system, you simply turn on the computer or device.

• Before you can interact with the operating system, the computer or device goes

through the boot process, which triggers a series of steps and checks as the

computer loads the operating system.

• The boot process starts automatically when you turn on your computer or device.

• You cannot use the computer or device until the boot process is complete.
The boot process includes the following steps:

4. Once the tests are completed successfully, the

1. The computer or device receives power from computer or device loads the operating system
the power supply or battery and sends it to the files into RAM, including the kernel. The kernel is
circuitry. the core of an operating system. It manages
memory, runs programs, and assigns resources.

5. The computer or device loads the system

2. The processor begins to run the bootstrap
configuration information, prompts you for user
program, which is a special built-in startup
verification if necessary, and loads all startup
program.
programs, such as antivirus programs or apps.

3. The bootstrap program executes a series of

tests to check the components, including the
RAM, keyboard, and storage, and identifies
connected devices and checks their settings.
How an Operating System Works
• An operating system takes care of
 the technical tasks of running the computer
 or device while you work on school or professional projects, watch videos,
connect with friends, or play games.
• It is the essential software or app on your computer or device.
• It process data, manage memory, control hardware, and provide a user
interface.
• You interact with the operating system to start programs, manage files, get help,
customize the user interface, and work with hardware.
The Purpose of an Operating System
• The operating system
 is responsible for coordinating the resources and activities on a computer.
 It is the go-between for you and the computer
 it accepts your instructions and data, and provides information from the
system to you.
• The operating system also manages interactions between hardware and
software.
 For example, if you want to print a flyer you created in your word
processing program, the operating system establishes a connection to the
printer, sends the flyer document to the printer, and lets other software
know the printer is busy until it finishes printing the flyer.
• During this process, the operating system directs internal components such as
the processor, RAM, and storage space to manage and complete its task.
How an Operating System Manages Memory

• The purpose of memory management

 is to optimize the use of a computer or device’s internal memory to allow
the computer or device to run more efficiently.
• Memory
 consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be
executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and the
results of processing the data into information.
• A byte
 is the basic storage unit in memory.
• Computers and devices contain two types of memory: volatile and nonvolatile.
How an Operating System Manages Memory

• Volatile memory
 is temporary and loses its contents when the power is turned off.
 E.g. RAM
• RAM (random access memory)
 is the storage location that temporarily stores open apps and document
data while a computer or device is on.
• The operating system can allocate a portion of a storage medium, such as a hard
disk, to become virtual memory to function as additional RAM.
• Virtual memory
 is the capability of an operating system to temporarily store data on a
storage medium until it can be “swapped” into RAM.
 The area of the hard drive used for virtual memory is thus called a swap
file.
How an Operating System Manages Memory

• Nonvolatile memory
 is permanent, and its contents remain on the computer or device even
when it is turned off.
 E.g. ROM, Flash memory
• ROM (read-only memory)
 refers to memory chips that store permanent data and instructions. The
data on most ROM chips cannot be modified.
• In addition to computers and mobile devices, many peripheral devices, such as
printers, contain ROM.
• Flash memory
 is a type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and
rewritten.
Differentiate between Operating Systems
• Standard operating system functions include:

 Starting and shutting down a

 Establishing an Internet connection
computer or device

 Managing programs  Monitoring performance

 Managing memory  Providing file management

 Coordinating tasks  Controlling network access

 Updating operating system

 Configuring devices
software

• An operating system also provides a graphical user interface (GUI), which

is a collective term for all the ways you interact with the device.
Differentiate between Operating Systems

• A GUI displays objects that convey information and represent actions that
can be taken by the user.
 A GUI includes GUI objects, like icons, cursors, and buttons.
• A GUI controls how you:
 Interact with menus, programs and apps,
 And visual images such as icons by touching, pointing, tapping, or clicking
buttons
 And other objects to issue commands.
Interacting with the Operating System
Types of desktop operating systems
An OS installed on a single computer is called a personal computer (PC)
operating system, or a desktop operating system.
Types of Server Operating Systems
• A server operating system (is a multiuser operating system).
 It controls a single, centralized server computer that supports many users
on networked computers.
 Manages the network.
 It also controls access to network resources, such as network printers.
Types of Mobile Operating Systems
• A mobile operating system
 Has features similar to those of a desktop operating system,
 But is focused on the needs of a mobile user and the capabilities of the
device.
 Works especially well with mobile device features such as touchscreens,
voice recognition, and Wi-Fi networks.
Identify desktop components
• The main workspace is called the desktop.
 Contains icons for programs and files, as well as toolbars, taskbars,
menus,
 and buttons you can use to start programs and apps
Identify desktop components
• A window
 Is a rectangular-shaped work area that displays an app or a collection of
files, folders, and tools.
• A menu
 Is a list of related items, including folders, applications, and commands.
 Many menus organize commands on submenus.
• Dialog boxes
 are windows with controls that let you tell the operating system how you
want to complete a command.
• A file
 Is a collection of information stored on your computer, such as a text
document, spreadsheet, photo, or song.
Identify desktop components
 Files can be divided into two categories: data and executable.
• A data file
 Contains words, numbers, and pictures that you can manipulate.
 For example, a spreadsheet, a database, a presentation, and a word
processing document all are data files.
• An executable file
 Contains the instructions your computer or device needs to run programs
and apps.
 Unlike a data file, you cannot open and read an executable file.
• File format
 refers to the organization and layout of data in a file.
 Determines the type or types of programs and apps that you can use to
open and display or work with a file.
Identify desktop components
• A file extension
 Is three- or four-letter sequence, preceded by a period, at the end of a file
name that identifies the file as a particular type of document, such
as .docx (Microsoft Word document), or .jpg (a type of graphic file).
 When you save a file, the program or app assigns the file extension.
• Files are stored in folders.
• A folder
 Is a named location on a storage medium that usually contains related
documents. You can think of a digital folder as similar to a physical file
folder in which you store paper documents.
How Operating Systems Manage Input and Output

• Input
 is any data and instructions entered into the memory of a device.
 You can input data and instructions in many ways, including interacting with
your touchscreen, or using a keyboard.
 E.g. Card readers and data collection devices
 Game controllers and motion input devices
 Microphones and webcams
• Once data is in memory, the computer or device interprets it, and the system
software executes instructions to process the data into information.
• The information processed into a useful form is referred to as output.
 Output formats include text, graphics, audio, video, or any combination of
these.
 Customize System Software
• Every operating system has its own tools for customization.
 Changing the brightness of the screen
 Adding a desktop theme,
 Adjusting the screen resolution,
 Pinning frequently used apps to the taskbar for easy access
 Customize Hardware Using System Software
• A pointing device
 is a hardware device that lets you interact with your computer by controlling
the movement of the pointer on your computer screen; examples include a
mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick, on-screen touch pointer, tablet,
or for touch-enabled devices, your hand or finger.
 Manage Desktop Windows
• When you open an app, file, or folder, it appears on the desktop in a window.
• Most windows share common elements:
 The center area of the window displays its contents.

Title bar Minimize, Maximize and Close

 Manage Desktop Windows
 The title bar at the top displays the name of the app, file, or folder
shown in the window.
 A Maximize button and Minimize button on the title bar enable you
to expand a window so that it fills the entire screen or reduce a
window so that it only appears as an icon on the taskbar.
 A Close button closes the open window, app, or document.
 The Restore Down button reduces a window to its last non-
maximized size.
• When you have multiple windows, files, and apps open at a time, the
windows can appear side-by-side or stacked.
• The active window
 is the window you are currently using, which appears in front of
any other open windows.
Manage Desktop Windows

• GUIs are based on graphical objects, where each object represents a task,
command, or object.
• To interact with a GUI, you tap, click, double-click, or perform some action
with tiles, buttons, and icons.
Manage Desktop Windows

• A tile
 is a shaded rectangle, such as on the Windows Start menu, that
represents an app or other resource.
• An icon
 is a small picture that represents a program, file, or hardware device.
• A button
 is a graphic that you click to execute commands you need to work with
an app, such as on a toolbar, taskbar, or the ribbon.
Manage Desktop Windows

• You can use two types of windows on a desktop:

 a program window displays a running program;
 a folder window displays the contents of a folder, drive, or device.
Administrative Tools
• An operating system controls your computer by managing
its resources, which are the components required to perform work,
such as the processor, RAM, storage space, and connected devices.
Customize an Operating System

• You can make adjustments to your operating system to make it look and
work the way you want to.
• In Windows, you use the Settings app and Control Panel.
 Control Panel is collection of utility programs that determine how
Windows appears and performs on your computer.
 The Settings app contains touch-friendly categories of the most
commonly used Windows settings; more advanced settings are found in
the Control Panel.
Run More than One Operating System
• A virtual machine
 enables a computer or device to run another operating system in
addition to the one installed.
Manage User Accounts

• User accounts
 Identify the resources, such as apps and storage locations, a user can
access when working with the computer.
 User accounts protect your computer against unauthorized access.
 A user account includes information such as the username or ID, and a
password.
• An administrator account
 provides full access to the computer.
 Additional responsibilities associated with an administrator account
include installing programs and apps, adjusting security settings, and
managing network access.