Module 8

IT APPLICATION TOOLS IN BUSINESS

STAND-ALONE OPERATING SYSTEMS

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STAND-ALONE OPERATING SYSTEMS

▪ Aims and Objectives
▪ Introduction
▪ Operating System
▪ Functions of an Operating System
▪ Types of Operating System
▪ Dos (Disk Operating System)
▪ Windows Operating System
▪ The UNIX Operating System
▪ Let Us Sum Up
▪ Performance Task
▪ Points for Discussion
▪ Check your Progress
▪ References

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

After reading this lesson you will be able to understand:
✓ What is an operating system, features and types of operating system and features of
operating system?
✓ Major functions of operating system
✓
INTRODUCTION
It is the first layer of software loaded into computer memory when it starts up. As the first software
layer, all other software that gets loaded after it depends on it for various common core services.
These common core services include disk access, memory management, takes scheduling, and
user interfacing. In addition, the operating system ensures that different programs executing at
the same time do not interfere with each other. It provides a software platform on top of which
other programs can run. In simple words, the operating system organizes and controls the
hardware. Examples of operating systems are Windows XP, UNIX, and Linux.

OPERATING SYSTEM
The operating system is a software program that acts as an interface between the user and the
computer. It is used to control and manage the hardware components such as keyboard,
monitor, printer, scanner etc.

FUNCTIONS OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM

Process Management:
It handles the creation, deletion, suspension, resumption, and synchronization of process.
Memory Management:
It handles allocation and de-allocation of memory space as required by various programs.
File Management:

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It is responsible for creation and deletion of files and directories. It also organizes, stores, retrieves,
names, and protects all the files.
Device Management:
It manages all the devices of the computer system such as printers and modems. If any device
fails, it detects the device failure and notifies the same to the user.
Security Management:
Protects system resources and information against destruction and unauthorized use.

User interface: Provides the interface between the user and the hardware.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM

These are the different types of operating system:

DOS (Disk Operating System)

MS-DOS was the widely used operating system before the introduction of the Windows
operating system. Even now the MS-DOS commands are used for carrying out many jobs like
copying the files, deleting the files etc. The DOS is a set of computer programs. The main
functions of DOS are to manage files, allocate system resources according to the requirement.
It provides essential features to control hardware devices such a keyboard, screen, disk drives,
printers, modems etc. Thus, DOS is a medium through which the user and external devices
attached to the system communicate the command with the system. DOS translate
communication issued by the computer in the format that is understandable by the computer
and instruct computer to work accordingly. It is also translating the result and any error message
in the format for the user to understand.

DOS Commands
We can type all DOS commands in either upper or lower case letters. There are two basic types
of DOS commands:
Internal commands
These commands, like COPY, DEL, and TYPE, are stored in computers memory. Many DOS
commands fall into this category.
External commands
This group of commands is stored on the disk. To use them, either insert the DOS floppy disk, or
change to the directory on hard disk which contains DOS external commands. Examples of
external commands include FORMAT, DISKCOPY, and CHKDSK.
Some commands can take several forms. These separate forms are used by including various
parameters with the command. Parameters, which will be discussed with each command, are
indicate by a / mark. Here is an example of command with an attached parameter:
C:\>DIR/W
[DOS command DIR is attached with parameter W]
All DOS commands must be activated by pressing the <Enter> key after typing the command.
Features of DOS
✓ Single user system

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✓ Machine independence
✓ Program control
✓ Peripheral management
✓ Operating with Directories
✓ Managing files
✓ Processing commands
✓ Managing input and output
✓ Data securing
✓ Using Batch files
✓ Managing memory
✓ Setting up environment
Command processing - DOS shell (a set of commands which is used to create the programs)
Operating with Assembler.

Advantages of DOS
The DOS provides the following advantages:
• Machine independence
• More security
• User friendly environment
• More useful in commercial applications.
• Error finding and recovery is more efficient
• Facilities more graphical user interfaces.
• Easy debugging
•

WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM

Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system around the world. Even those who are
new to computers can use it with a little practice. With the help of Windows, we can operate
the computer just by clicking the mouse buttons, Windows95, Windows98, Windows 2000 and
Windows XP are the various versions of Windows.
Windows is an operating system. It is the extension of the disk operating system. Windows is
system software. It requires DOS to run the application programs. The DOS should be loaded into
the memory before the window is executed. After the windows is loaded into the memory the
windows environment takes all the device controls. It also takes care of the memory
management of the programs run by the windows software".

Types of windows
There are two types of windows. They are
1. Application windows - displays the executable program in graphical user interface
mode.
2. Document window - generated by executable or application program.

Windows 98

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Windows 98 is the upgraded version of Windows 95. it offers bug fixture and minor
enhancements.
Features of Windows:
The important features of Windows 98 are as follows:
Graphical User Interface
Windows 98 provides user-friendlier interface to work on. Its improved graphical user interface
makes learning and using windows 98 more natural and easier for all types of users. It is more
powerful, customizable and efficient.
Type of icons (Small Pictures):
There are three types of icons. They are
a) Applications icons - the minimized version of the currently running application programs.
It appears at the bottom of the desktop and can be maximized.
b) Document icons - the reduced document windows.
c) Program icons - appear with in program manager and clicking on these icons activate
the associated applications and also load the related documents or files.

Start Button
Introduction of START button by windows 98 made life much simpler while there is a need to
access multiple programs. It is the gateway of accessing most of the functionality available in
the computer loaded with windows 98. Just Click on the start button anytime to start any
programs, open or find documents, change windows settings, get Help, manage Files, maintain
System, much more.

Taskbar
The Task bar provides information and access to the entire task that has been currently
activated by windows 98. Using this one can keep a track of what all programs have been
activated and switched between them.

Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer more or less acts as File Manager for windows 98, but with lots of new features.
It is more efficient, faster and user friendly. Using Explorer one can easily browse through all the
drives and network resources available and manage files.
Right Mouse Button
Clicking on the right mouse button activates a pop- up menu in any program so as to help in
completing a task efficiently.
Long File Names
As the MS-DOS convention follows, none-of the file used in DOS environment should be more
than 8 character of primary name and optimal secondary name (extension) of three
characters. However, Windows 98 has broken this barrier. Windows 98 supports long file names
maximum of 225 characters. It also allowed space to be used in between file name. This helps
to make files and folders (directory/subdirectory) easier to organize and find.
Shortcuts

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As the name suggests, SHORTCUTS are the shortest way to access programs, files other resources
in Windows 98. Instead of going through the structural process of accessing a program, one can
create “shortcuts” to access them. It creates links for easy access to file, programs, folders and
more.
Multitasking
Multitasking allows the user to activate and accomplish more than one task at a time. For
example, work on a document file WORD programs, which copies file from other computer
available in time on the network. With Windows 98, 32 - bit computing environment, the user
can do more than one task a time.
Easy Internet Access
Integration of Internet Explorer 4.0 and Active Desktop, which coupled the Internet html
hypertext links more tightly to the Windows 98 user interface.
Software Compatibility
Windows 98 provides complete backward compatibility. It is easily compatible with other
applications developed for MS-DOS and Windows 3.x environment. It also supports latest 32-bit
technology. Most of the latest software packages are now built on Windows 98, operating
environment.
Great Gaming Platform
Windows 98 supports rich graphics, high quality audio and video. Software to take advantage
of Intel's Multimedia Extensions (MMX) to the IA - 32 instruction set, which are designed to
improve the performance of multimedia applications and games developed for windows 98
that uses MMX technology.
Hardware Compatibility
Windows 98 provides greater Hardware compatibility as compared to any other operating
environment. It has flexibility of supporting hardware from different vendors.
Find utility
Find Utility of windows 98 allows the user to do searches by partial name, last modified date, or
full text. In addition, we can save, rename or view files from within the result pane.
Help
Windows 98 provides online help to accomplish a task. If the user is not sure how to perform a
task, windows 98 Help will provide structured process how to accomplish the task. Simply right-
click on any object in the user interface (icon) and he can get relevant description about that
object.
Manage more numbers of PC's
Windows 98 can manage up to eight monitors on a- single PC. The user can drag and drop
resize and move desktop items such as windows, folders, icons, and applications, from one
monitor to the next.
Additional facilities
Windows 98 includes additional enhancement of Windows 95 that includes new backup utilities
and disk defragmenter capabilities.

Windows NT workstation

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Windows NT is a single user; multitasking operating system designed to run on PC workstations

and incorporates all latest developments in operating system technology. It was introduced in
1993. It includes the following:
Windows NT workstation, Windows NT server, and Windows NT enterprise edition

Features

Single User Multitasking

The main feature is that even through it is meant for a single user environment, provides
multitasking. For e.g., a user may use a word processor, a drawing program, a spreadsheet
application to produce a document. Without multitasking, simultaneous use of this will not be
possible. They must process with the s/w one by one; provide alignment making changes will be
a tedious process. In a multitasking environment, the user may keep all the applications open,
prepare the documentation and make necessary change. All of these are possible with
increased speed and memory capacity of microprocessors together with the support for virtual
memory.

Ability to support all applications

The power of Windows NT comes form its ability to support applications written for other
operating systems. This ability is provided through protected subsystems. The protected
subsystems are those parts of NT that interact with the end user.

Client server computing model

The way in which the executive, the protected subsystems, and the applications structured in
NT is by using the client/ server computing model, each server implemented as one or more
process. Such process waits for a request from a client for of its services, eg. memory services. A
client, which may be an applications program or another operating system module, requests a
service by sending a message. The message routed through the executive to the appropriate
server. The server performs the operation and returns the results or status information by means
of another message, which is routed through the executive back to the client.
Client/server architecture has the following advantages:
A. It simplifies the base operating system, the NT executive
It improves reliability. Each server runs on a separate process with its partition of memory,
protected from other servers. Also, the servers cannot directly access hardware or modify
memory in which the executive the rest, the operating system.
B. It provides a natural base for distributed computing.
Support for Threads
An important feature of Windows NT is its support for threads within process. A thread is a
dispatch able unit of work. It is executed sequentially and may be interrupted so that the
processor can turn to other threads. A process is a collection of one or more areas and
associated system resources. This is similar to a program in execution. By checking an application
into multiple threads, the modularity and the timing of application related events could be
maintained.

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Support of Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP)

In a multiprocessor system, to achieve maximum efficiency and reliability a mode of operation
known as symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) is desirable. With SMP, any process or Thread can be
assigned to any processor.
Windows NT uses concepts of object oriented design
Windows NT uses some concepts of object oriented design. This approach facilitates the sharing
of resources and data among processes and the protection of resources and data among
processes and the protection of resources from unauthorized access.
Advantages of Windows NT
➢ It simplifies the base operating system
➢ It improves reliability
➢ It provides a natural base of distributed computing
Operating-system routines can run on any available processor and different routines can be
executed simultaneously on different processors.
o NT supports the use of multiple threads of execution within a single process.
o NT processes convenient mechanisms for sharing data and resources between
processes.
o NT provides flexible inter process communication capabilities.
o Functionality-NT can communicate with many different types of computers.

THE UNIX OPERATING SYSTEM

Like DOS and windows, there’s another operating system called UNIX. It arrived earlier then the
other two, and stayed back like enough to give us the internet. UNIX is a giant operating system
and is way ahead of them in sheer power. It has practically everything an operating system
should have, and several features which other operating systems never had. Its richness and
elegance go beyond the commands and tolls that constitute it, while simplicity permeates the
entire system. It runs on practically every hardware and provided motivation to the open source
movement.

However, UNIX also makes many demands of the user. In requires a different type of
commitment to understand the subject, even when the user is an experienced computer
professional. It introduces certain concepts not known to the computing community before,
and user numerous symbols whose meaning is anything but clear. It achieves unusual tasks with
a few keystrokes, but it takes time to devices a sequence of them for a specific task. Often, it
doesn’t tell you whether you are right or wrong, and doesn’t warn you of the consequences of
your actions. That is probably the reason why many people still prefer to stay away from UNIX.

Features of UNIX
UNIX is an operating system, so it is having all the features an operating system is expected to
have. However, UNIX also looks at a few things differently and possesses features unique to it.
The following section gives a clear idea of the major features of this operating system.
UNIX: A Multi user System

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From the fundamental point of view, UNIX is a multiprogramming system; it permits multiple
programs to run. This can happen in two ways
Multiple users can run separate jobs
A single user can also run multiple jobs.
UNIX: A Multi-Tasking System Too
A single user can also run multiple tasks at the same time as UNIX is a multitasking system. It is
usual for a user to edit a file, print another one on printer, send email to a friend and browse the
Word Wide Web - all without leaving any of the application. This kernel is designed to handle a
user’s multiple needs.
The UNIX Toolkit
By one definition, UNIX represents the kernel, but the kernel by itself doesn’t do much that can
benefit the user. To properly exploit the power of UNIX, you need to use the host of applications
that are shipped with every UNIX system. These applications are quite varied in scope. There are
general – purpose tools, text manipulation utilities (called filters), compilers and interpreters,
networked applications and system administration tools.
Pattern Matching
UNIX features very sophisticated pattern matching features. UNIX features elaborate pattern
matching schemes that use several characters from the Meta character set. The matching isn’t
confined to filenames only. Some of the most advanced and useful tools also use a special
expression called a regular expression that is framed with characters from the set.
Programming Facility
The UNIX shell is also a programming language; it was designed for a programmer, not a casual
end user. It has all the necessary ingredients, like control structures, loops and variables, that
establish it as a powerful programming language in its own right.
Documentation
UNIX documentation is no longer the sore point it once was. Even though it is sometimes uneven
at most times the treatment is quite. The principal online help facility available is the man
command, which remains the most important reference for commands and their configuration
files. Thanks to O’Reilly & Associates, one can safely say that there’s no feature of UNIX on which
a separate textbook is not available.
Apart from the online documentation, there’s a vast ocean of UNIX resources available on the
internet. There are several newsgroups on UNIX where you can fire your queries in case you are
stuck with a problem – be it a problem related to shell programming or a network configuration
issue. The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) a document that addresses common problems is
also widely available on the Net. Then there are numerous articles published in magazines and
journals and lecture notes available by universities on their Web sites. UNIX is easily tamed
Operating System.

LET US SUM UP
i. There are different types of operating system: DOS (Disk Operating System), Windows
Operating System, The UNIX Operating System.

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ii. An operating system performs various functions like Process Management, Memory
Management, File Management, Device Management, Security Management, User
interface,
iii. The main functions of DOS are to manage files, allocate system resources according to
the requirement. There are two basic types of DOS commands: Internal commands and
External commands
iv. Windows is an operating system. It is the extension of the disk operating system. It requires
DOS to run the application programs. The DOS should be loaded into the memory before
the windows is executed.
v. UNIX is a giant operating system and is way ahead of them in sheer power. It has
practically everything an operating system should have, and several features which
other operating systems never had.

Setting up environment
Command processing - DOS shell (a set of commands which is used to create the programs)
Operating with Assembler.

References
1. Silbertz Galvin, Operating System Concepts
2. http://cp2060.pbworks.com/f/Operating+System+Fundamentals.pdf