Week7 software (os, ap)

Software

Computer software gives instructions that make computer hardware work. In other words, software is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it.

The four main types of software are operating systems, application programs, utility programs, and programming languages.

Introduction

Operating Systems

An operating system is a piece of software that controls how hardware resources such as memory, the central processing unit (CPU), disk space, and other devices are used. All other kinds of software (application, utility, and programming) need the operating system because of hardware resources.

Operating Systems

Operating Systems

An operating system has two parts, a kernel, and a shell. The kernel is the core of an operating system. It manages memory, files, and other devices; maintains the time and date; starts applications; and manages system resources.

The shell provides direct communication interface between the user and the kernel.

Operating Systems

There are many different types of operating system. They are classified systems according to the type of user interface, how many users they support (single-user or multi-user), how they perform tasks (single task or multitask), and how they work with other computers (single computer or network).

Command-line interface

Interface

Graphical user interface

Interface

A single-user operating system can be used only by a single user. A multiuser operating system can be used by more than one user. In some ways, a computer that several people share is like a multi-user system. However, a real multi-user system means a machine (and operating system) that several people can access at the same time, through communication facilities or network terminals. Server computers are multi-user systems whereas, PC’s or workstations are single-user systems.

Single or Multi-User

A network operating system is an operating system specifically designed to support computer networks. A computer network is a set of computers that can communicate with each other and share resources. A network operating system uses a special machine called a server to provide networking support for multiple simultaneous users as well as administrative, security, and management functions. Unlike a single-user operating system, a network operating system must respond to requests from many computers, managing network access and communications, resource use and sharing, data protection, and error control.

Stand Alone or Network

Single or Multi-Tasking

MS-DOS Windows 98 Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7

Operating Systems

Mac OS Unix Linux Novell NetWare BeOS and Haiku

Operating Systems

Symbian OS Google Android Mobile Linux BlackBerry OS iOS

Mobile Operating Systems

OS Statistics – April 2012

Application Programs

An application program is a program designed to help with a specific task, such as word processing, accounting, counting the items in a shop or warehouse, or maintaining a database. Application software makes a computer work to suit your needs.

Application Programs

Word Processor

Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, StarWriter, Windows WordPad, MacWrite, and WordStar

Spreadsheet

Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, StarCalc, and Gnumeric

Presentation Software

Microsoft PowerPoint, Lotus Freelance Graphics, Adobe Persuasion, OpenOffice.org Impress, Apple’s Keynote, and Corel Presentations

Database Management Software

dBase, Paradox, Microsoft Access, FoxPro, Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, InterBase, and Sybase

CAD/CAM

AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, MathCAD, and Electronic WorkBench

Painting and Drawing

Windows Paint, Corel Painter, and Adobe Photoshop CS4CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator

Page Layout and Desktop Publishing

Quark XPress, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher and Adobe Page Maker.

Animation Programs

Adobe Flash CS5, Microsoft Silver Line, 3D Studio MAX, Animation FX, 3D Maya, and Xara.

Multimedia Applications

Microsoft Media Player, Microsoft Media Center, Media Player Classic, Real Player, Quicktime Player, WinAmp, WinDVD, and PowerDVD

Games

Chess Master, Age Of Empires, SimCity, Fifa, Fifa Manager, Crysis Warhead, NFS Shift, and Counter Strike

Educational Software

Online Applications

www.docs.google.com, www.acrobat.com, office.live.com, and www.zoho.com

?Questions