Using System SoftwareChapter 5

Announcements

Chapter 5 Homework

Windows 7 Homework

Objectives

System Software

Categories of Operating Systems (OS)

OS’s role in: Providing user interaction

Managing the processor

Managing memory

Managing hardware

Interacting with application software

Starting the computer

Desktop & window features

OS’s role in keeping the desktop organized

Utility Programs

System Software: The OS

Controls all computer functions: Hardware, Processor, Memory, Peripherals

Manages how applications run on the CPU

Provides user interface such as desktop, icons, an menus

System Software: Utilities

Utilities: Software that performs “housekeeping” tasks Backup

Security

Diagnostics

Recovery

Optimization

Operating System Categories

Four primary categories of operating systems: Single-User, Single Task

MS-DOS

Single-User, Multi-Task

Microsoft Windows, Apple iOS, Linux

Multi-User (Network Operating System)

Microsoft Windows Server, Linux, Unix

Real-time (RTOS): Embedded System

Found in cars, instruments, tools

Real-Time Operating Systems

Systems with a specific purpose and a certain result

Uses include: Automobiles

Printers

VoIP phones

Medical devices

Appliances

Robotic equipment

Multi-User Operating Systems

Known as “Network Operating Systems”

Allow access to the computer system by more than one user

Manage user requests

Systems Include: Linux

UNIX

Windows Server

IBM z/OS

UNIX

Multi-User, Multi-Task operating system

Used primarily with mainframes

Also found in PCs

Vendors can modify the code Hewlett-Packard HP/UX

Sun Solaris

IBM AIX

Mainfames & Supercomputers

Other computers utilizing multi-user operating systems Mainframes

Handle requests from hundreds and thousands of users simultaneously

Supercomputers

Used by scientists and engineers

Smartphones

Do more than let the user make and answer phone calls

Have productivity features like web browsing, e-mail, multimedia, cameras, etc.

Example: Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, Blackberry

Desktop Operating Systems

An operating system combined with a processor is known as a platform Microsoft Windows & Intel/AMD

Apple Mac OS & Motorola/Intel

Application software is OS specific, not platform specific

Microsoft Windows

Multi-user, multi-tasking OS

Windows 8 is the newest version

Features Increased functionality

User-friendliness

Improved Internet capabilities

Enhanced privacy and security

Mac OS

First commercially available OS with point & click technology (GUI)

Graphical User Interface

Excellent in:

Graphics

Processing

System reliability

File backup

Based on Linux OS

Fewer applications available vs. Windows

Much more expensive (2x-4x)

Linux

Open source operating system

Based on UNIX

Extremely stable

May be downloaded for free!

Can be modified by anyone to meet any need

Runs on PCs, phones, MP3 players, multimedia systems, servers, cars, etc..

What the OS does

Provides a user interface

Manages the CPU

Manages memory and storage

Manages hardware and peripheral devices

Coordinates application software with the CPU

The User Interface

Enables you to interact with the computer

Types of interfaces: Command-line Interface

Menu-driven Interface

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Command Line Interface

Menu Driven Interface

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Processor Management

Controls the timing of events the processor works on Multitasking

Interrupts

Interrupt Handler

Interrupt Table

Stack

Multitasking

The OS controls the execution of instructions on the CPU

Decides when each application is allowed to run and for how long Assigns each process a slice of time (time slice) and

switches between each process rapidly (measured in milliseconds).

The ability to do multiple things at once (or appear to do so) is called Multitasking.

Interrupts

Some functions of the computer must be handled immediately Mouse

Keyboard

Audio

Printer

When an “Interrupt Request” is made by these devices, the CPU stops executing programs and takes care of the needs of the device

Stack

Last In, First Out (LIFO)

Common sense analogy: A stack of paper

OSs and CPUs use stacks to remember how to get back to where it was after processing an interrupt

Stack Operations: Peek: Take a look at what is on top of the stack without

removing it

Pop: Remove and process the top item

Push: Place a new item on the stack

OS Architecture

32-bit Architecture Each instruction is up to 32 bits long

Each location in memory is exactly 32 bits long

Can use up to 4GB of RAM

64-bit Architecture Each instruction is up to 64 bits long

Each location in memory is exactly 64 bits long

Can use up to 512GB of RAM

Correction to book: Systems with more than 4GB of RAM feature a 64-bit version of

Windows

Systems with more than 4GB of RAM must use a 64-bit operating system to make use of extra memory.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM has limited capacity

Running multiple programs at one time requires more RAM

Operating System consumes RAM Windows Vista: 1.5GB

Windows 7: 1GB

Windows 8: 512MB (possible to use less)

Virtual Memory

Instructions and data are stored on the hard drive when RAM is full Swap file

Paging

Thrashing

Hardware and Peripheral Device Management

Device drivers Programs that enable the operating system to

communicate with peripheral devices

Provided by the manufacturer of the device

Plug & Play Hardware and software standard

Facilitates the installation of new hardware

Software Application Coordination

Application programming interfaces (APIs) Blocks of code contained in the OS

Coordinate the OS with software applications

Similar toolbars and menus

Example:

Microsoft DirectX

OpenGL

The boot process Basic Input Output

System (BIOS) is activated

A Pre-Operating System Test (POST) checks attached hardware

The OS loads into RAM

Configuration and customization settings are checked

BIOSPOST

OS

Starting the Computer

Handling Errors in the Boot Process

Safe Mode Windows does not boot properly

Try rebooting

Uninstall any new devices or software

Press F8 after the POST and before the Windows Logo appears. Can be tricky, sometimes helps to press repeatedly

until safe mode menu appears.

The Windows 7 Desktop

Start Button

All Programs

Recycle Bin

SystemTray

ControlPanel

Documents

Desktop

Task Bar

Start Menu

The Windows 8 Start Screen

Icons

Switch to Desktop

The Windows 8 Desktop

SystemTray

Desktop

Task Bar

Recycle Bin

The Mac iOS Start Screen

Icons

Task Bar

The Mac iOS Desktop

Trash

Settings

System Tray

Apple Menu

ApplicationMenu

Desktop

Task Bar

The Linux (Ubuntu) Desktop

Desktop

System Tray

ApplicationMenu

Task Bar

Trash

WindowsTitle Bar

Control Box(Min, Max,

Close)

Ribbon

Zoom

Document View

Side by Side

Stacked

Cascading

Flip 3D

Snap

Viewing Windows

File Management

The operating system provides an organizational structure for the computer’s contents

Hierarchical structure of directories:

Drives Folders

Subfolders

Files

Windows Libraries

File Management

Quick Links

Libraries

Files & Folders

Viewing and Sorting Files and Folders

Many views available Large Icon view

Extra Large Icon view

Tiles view

Details view

List view

Small & Medium Icon views

File Name Extensions

Extension Type of Document

Application

.doc Word processing Microsoft Word 2003

.docx Word processing Microsoft Word 2007+

.xlsx Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel 2007+

.pptx Presentation Microsoft PowerPoint 2007+

.pdf Portable Document Adobe Acrobat

.txt Text Notepad/Wordpad

.jpg Image Paint

.gif Image Paint

.bmp Image Paint

.zip Compressed File(s) File Explorer

Naming Files

The file extension determines which application will open the file by default

File name includes the name of the file plus an extension

Up to 255 characters

Names/Extensions ma not include the following characters: “ / \ * ? < > | :

Mac* and Windows file names are not case sensitive

Linux file names are case sensitive and do not use extensions

*It is possible to enable Mac file name case sensitivity.

The File Path

Describes the location of the file

Working with Files

File management actions Open

Copy

Move

Rename

Delete

Recycle Bin / Trash

Utility Programs

Small programs that perform special functions Manage System Resources (Task Manager)

Create a pleasant environment (Explorer)

Improve Efficiency (Defragment)

Display Utilities

Change the appearance of: Desktop

Background

Screen Savers

Window Colors

Add or Remove Programs

Installation Wizard

Uninstall Wizard Programs should uninstalled, deleting can cause errors

File Compression Utilities

Reduce the size of a file

Make it easier and faster to send files over the Internet

Work by replacing repeating segments with a short placeholder.

Disk Cleanup: Removes unnecessary files

Choose the files to be deleted

Downloaded program files

Temporary Internet Files

Offline Web Pages

Recycle Bin

Disk Defragmenter: Speeds up access to files

Error Checker: Check for lost/damaged files

Task Manager: Check on nonresponsive programs

System Maintenance Utilities

System Restore

Restores system settings to a specific date

Restore utility will describe what was installed and when (Windows 8)

System Backup

Backup Creates a copy of the hard drive to another storage

device

Task Scheduler Runs selected utilities automatically

Ease of Access Center Centralized location

for assistive technology

High Contrast

Magnifier

On-screen keyboard

Windows speech recognition

Accessibility Utilities