Technology in Action

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 1

Technology in ActionTechnology in Action

Chapter 5Using System Software:

The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Management


System Software: The OSSystem Software: The OS• Controls computer functions

– Hardware– Processor– Memory – Devices

• Provides means for software to work with the CPU

• Responsible for management, scheduling, and interaction of tasks

• Provides user interface


System Software: UtilitiesSystem Software: Utilities

• Utilities: Small programs that perform helpful computer housekeeping tasks– Manage system resources– Improve efficiency– Virus prevention


Operating System CategoriesOperating System Categories

• Four categories:– Real-time (RTOS)– Single-user, single-task– Single-user, multitask– Multiuser

Samples of each follow:


Real-Time Operating SystemsReal-Time Operating Systems• Systems with a

specific purpose and a certain result

• Response time--ASAP• Uses include:

– Industrial machines– Robotic devices– Automobiles– Video game consoles– Home appliances


Single-User Operating SystemsSingle-User Operating SystemsSingle-task systems

• Perform one task at a time• PDAs:

– Pocket PC– Palm OS– Windows Mobile

• MS-DOS

Multitask systems• Perform simultaneous tasks• Windows• Mac OS• Linux


Multiuser Operating Systems Multiuser Operating Systems • Known as network operating systems• Allow access to the computer system by more

than one user• Manage user requests• Systems include:

– Unix, Linux– Windows, Mac OS– Unicos (Cray Unix)– Windows Server 2008– Windows Vista– Mac OS X– i5/OS(IBM AS400 OS)– z/OS (IBM mainframe OS)


Desktop and Notebook Desktop and Notebook Operating SystemsOperating Systems

• An operating system combined with a processor is known as a platform.– Microsoft Windows/Intel– Apple Macintosh/Motorola/Intel

• Desktop and notebook operating systems include:– Microsoft Windows– Mac OS– Linux– UNIX

Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows

Windows Vista(2007)

Windows 7 (2009)

• This newest version of Windows, which comes in many versions, provides tighter security and improved graphical capabilities.



Mac OSMac OS• First commercially available OS with point-and-click technology (graphical user interface) Xerox Star 1981

• Excellent in:– Graphics display– Processing capabilities– System reliability– File backup utilities– Document recovery

• Fewer software applications available than for Windows /Intel


LinuxLinux (Linus Thorvalds)(Linus Thorvalds)• Open source—

(modifiable) operating system

• Based on UNIX• Stable system• Free• May be downloaded

from the Internet• Red Hat, Mandrake, Red Hat, Mandrake,

Debian, SuSE, Debian, SuSE, SlackwareSlackware


Operating Systems for Operating Systems for Servers, Minicomputers, Mainframes, Servers, Minicomputers, Mainframes,

SupercomputersSupercomputers• Servers—Manage network resources• Minicomputers—hundreds of users• Mainframes—thousands of users• Supercomputers—many users, fastest

calculations

• Operating systems:– Windows Server– Unix


UNIXUNIX• Multiuser, multitask operating system• Used primarily with mainframes• Developed at Bell Labs in 1971 by Ritchie

and Thompson (also created C).


What the OS Does: it is in control of What the OS Does: it is in control of the computerthe computer

• Provides a user interface• Manages the CPU• Manages memory and storage• Manages hardware and peripheral

devices• Coordinates application software

with the CPU


The User InterfaceThe User Interface

• Enables you to interact with the computer

• Types of interfaces:– Command-driven

interface– Menu-driven interface– Graphical user interface

(GUI)

Command-driven


Processor ManagementProcessor Management

• Controls the timing of events the processor works on– Interrupts– Interrupt handler– Interrupt table– Stack


Memory and Storage Memory and Storage ManagementManagement

• The operating system allocates space in RAM for instructions and data.

RAM

Operating

System


Virtual MemoryVirtual Memory

• Instructions and data are stored on the hard drive when RAM is full.– Swap file– Paging – Thrashing


Hardware and Peripheral Hardware and Peripheral Device ManagementDevice Management

• Device drivers– Programs that enable the operating system to

communicate with peripheral devices– Provided by the manufacturer of the device

• Plug and Play– Hardware and software standard– Facilitates the installation of new hardware


Software Application CoordinationSoftware Application Coordination

• Application programming interfaces (APIs)– Blocks of code contained in the operating

system– Coordinate the operating system with

software applications– Similar toolbars and menus

– Microsoft DirectX—improved graphics and sound (Direct3D, , DirectDraw, , DirectMusic, , DirectPlay, , DirectSound)--XBOX)--XBOX

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct3D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectDraw

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectMusic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectPlay

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectSound


Starting the ComputerStarting the ComputerThe Boot Process• Step 1: The basic input/output system (BIOS) is activated.

• Step 2: A power-on self-test (POST) checks attached hardware.

• Step 3: The operating system loads into RAM.

• Step 4: Configuration and customization settings are checked.


Handling Errors in the Handling Errors in the Boot ProcessBoot Process

• Safe mode– Windows

does not boot properly

– Try rebooting– Uninstall any

new devices or software


The DesktopThe DesktopGadgets


Windows Windows Title bar Close button

Ribbon

Minimize button

Maximize/Restore button

Scrollbar

Document view options


File ManagementFile Management• The operating system provides an organizational

structure for the computer’s contents.• Hierarchical structure of directories:

– Drives– C: is hard drive– A: or B: is floppy– D: is usually CD or DVD drive– E and above—thumb drives

• FoldersSubfolders

» Files


File ManagementFile Management

Files and folders inside MGT 111 Spring folder

Navigation pane with links to favorite folders

Folders presented in a hierarchical structure

Click to display the Searches Folder

MGT 111 Spring folder selected


Viewing and Sorting Viewing and Sorting Files and FoldersFiles and Folders

• Flip 3D



• Details view



• Large Icon view



• Other views available: – Tiles view– List view– Small and Medium Icons views


Naming FilesNaming Files• Filename: Name assigned

plus filename extension• Characters not legal in

Windows filenames: “ / \ * ? < > :| (pipe)

• Character not legal in Mac filenames:

:

Bioreport.docxor

Bio report.docx


Filename ExtensionsFilename ExtensionsExtension Type of Document Application

.doc Word-processing document Microsoft Word 2003

.docx Word-processing document Microsoft Word 2007 document

.wpd Word-processing document Corel WordPerfect

.xlsx Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel 2007 workbook

.accdb Database Microsoft Access 2007

.pptx PowerPoint presentation Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 presentation

.pdf Portable Document Format Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader

.rtf Text Any program that can read text documents

.txt Text Any program that can read text documents


Filename Extensions (cont.)Filename Extensions (cont.)

Extension Type of Document Application

.htm or .html Web page Any program that can read HTML

.jpg Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) image

Most programs capable of displaying images

.gif Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) image

Most programs capable of displaying images

.bmp Bitmap image Windows

.zip Compressed file WinZip


File PathFile Path

• File path: Location of the file


Working with FilesWorking with Files

• File management actions:– Open– Copy– Move– Rename– Delete

• Recycle Bin


Utility ProgramsUtility Programs

• Small programs that perform special functions:– Manage system resources– Create a pleasant environment– Improve efficiency


Display UtilitiesDisplay Utilities

• Change the appearance of:– Desktop– Windows colors– Font sizes

• Include:– Screen savers– Screen resolution– Clear Type (smooth edges, easier read)


Add or Remove ProgramsAdd or Remove Programs

• Installation wizard• Uninstall wizard:

– Programs cannot simply be deleted


File Compression UtilitiesFile Compression Utilities• Reduce the size of a file• Take out redundancies• Make it easier and faster to send files

over the Internet• Generally, repeated patterns are

replaced with a shorter placeholder

TheThe rrainain inin SpSpainain fallsfalls mmainainlyly onon thethe plplainain..


System Maintenance UtilitiesSystem Maintenance Utilities• Disk Cleanup: Cleans unnecessary files


System Maintenance UtilitiesSystem Maintenance Utilities• Disk defragmenter—reorganize

files to reduce fragmentation• ScanDisk:

– Error checker– Fix disk errors

• Task Manager—terminate program that is frozen or give lower priority


System RestoreSystem Restore• Restores system settings back to a

specific date when everything worked OK.


System BackupSystem Backup• Backup– Creates a copy of files from hard drive to

another storage device• Task Scheduler

– Runs selected utilities, automatically updates Windows or Viruschecker


Accessibility UtilitiesAccessibility Utilities

• Ease of Access Center– Centralized location for

assistive technology– Examples:

• High contrast• Magnifier• On-screen keyboard• Windows speech

recognition

Technology in Action

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