SYSTEM SOFTWARE

What is system software?

• Software that allows your computer to interact with the user, applications, and hardware.

System software consists of 4 types of programs:

•         Operating system

•         Utilities

•         Device drivers

•         Language translators

Operating system

- Collection of programs that manage and coordinate the activities taking place within a computer system.

FUNCTIONS

Classified into 3 groups:

• Managing resources

‐ Booting the computer

‐ configuring device

‐ security

• Interfacing with users (mostly use GUI)

• Running applications

‐word processors and spread sheets.

‐multitasking.

FEATURES

 • Booting - start or restating computer

     - warm boot - restart without turn off

     - cold boot - starting after turn off

 • Desktop ‐ Feature in common with application

      Program:

       - Icons - graphic representations

       - Pointer - controlled by a mouse

       - Windows - displaying information and running programs

       - Menus - provide list of options or commands

       - Dialog boxes - provide information or request input

      -      Helps - online assistance for operating system provider

       CATEGORIES

        • Embedded Operating System

            ‐handle smaller devices

            ‐the operating system is stored on ROM or read only memory chips

            ‐e.g. PDA or WINDOWS CE

        • Network Operating System (NOS)

            ‐designed to be installed on network server

            ‐to control and coordinate computer that are           networked or linked together 

            ‐e.g. Netware, Windows Server, and UNIX

        • Stand-alone operating system

            ‐design to be installed on a single PC        automatically

            ‐can control a single desktop or netbook,         located on the computer’s hard disc

            ‐the famous operating system is Windows, Mac OS, UNIX and LINUX

       WINDOWS

• The primary PC’s operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation.
• Designed to run with Intel and Intel‐compatible microprocessors.       
• Come with new improvement with window 7 which more easy and secure.

        Mac OS

•  An operating system designed to run on         Apple  computers
•  One of the most innovative operating systems
•  Mac OS X is one of the latest versions
•  Mac OS (Boot Camp) allows the running of both the Mac OS and Windows

    

   UNIX and Linux 

• UNIX operating system

-       - Originally designed to run on minicomputers on a network

-       - Used by powerful microcomputers now

•  LINUX is a version of UNIX

-       - Popular and powerful alternative to the Windows operating system

Virtualization

§  Ability to support multiple operating systems on a single physical machine

§  Virtualization software creates virtual machines

§  Host operating systems run on the physical machine

§  Guest operating systems operate on virtual machines

UTILITIES

•  Specialized programs to make computing easier  
•  Most essential utilities

1. –  Troubleshooting  or diagnostic programs
2. –  Antivirus programs
3. –  Uninstall programs
4. –  Backup programs
5. –  File compression programs

  WINDOWS ULTILITIES

• Backup and Restore
• Disk Cleanu
• Disk Defragmenter

 

   UTILITY SUITES

• A group of several utility programs bundled for sale
• Buying the package is economical
• Popular suites

-       -Norton System Works

-       -McAfee Office

-       -V Communications System-Suite

 

        DEVICE DRIVERS

• Specialized programs that allow communication between a device and the computer
• Loaded into memory each time a computer is started
• When a new device is added, new device drivers must be installed

•         References from

     1. Computing Essentials Complete 2010 by Timothy J.O'Leary and Linda I.O'Leary from McGRAW Hill

     2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software

     3. http://depts.alverno.edu/cil/mod1/software/system.html