OPERATING SYSTEMS

To enable computer systems to function and to allow users to communicate with computer
systems, special software, known as operating systems (OS), have been developed. The
general tasks for a typical operating system include:
▪ Control of the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices
▪ Supervising the loading, running and storage of applications programs
▪ Dealing with errors that occur in application programs
▪ Maintaining security of the whole computer system
▪ Maintaining a computer log (which details computer usage)
▪ Allowing communication between user and the computer system (user interface).

User Interfaces
Operating systems offer various types of user interface. We will consider four different types:
▪ Command Line Interface (CLI)
▪ Graphical User Interface (GUI)
▪ Dialogue-based User Interface
▪ Gesture-based User Interface

Command Line Interface (CLI)

A command line interface (CLI) requires a user to type in instructions to choose options
from menus, open software, etc. There are often a number of commands that need to be
typed in, for example, to save or load a file. The user has to learn a number of commands
just to carry out basic operations. It is also slow, having to key in these commands every
time an operation has to be carried out. However, the advantage of a CLI is that the user is
in direct communication with the computer and is not restricted to a number of pre-
determined options.
For example, Windows has a CLI called the ‘command prompt’. The following command
opens the desktop folder in Windows Explorer:
%windir%\explorer.exe C:\Users\YourName\Desktop
The statements in Figure 1 below show how complex it is just to carry out a fairly
straightforward operation using CLI.
 Figure 1: Sample of CLI code

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A graphical user interface (GUI) allows the user to interact with a computer (or MP3 player,
gaming device, mobile phone, etc.) using pictures or symbols (icons) rather than having to
type in a number of commands. For example, the whole of the CLI code in Figure 1 could
have been replaced by clicking on the Desktop icon within Windows Explorer.
Simply selecting this icon would automatically execute all the commands shown in Figure 1
without the need to type it in.
GUIs use various technologies and devices to provide the user interface. One of the most
common is WIMP (windows icons menu and pointing device) which was developed for
use on personal computers (PC). Here, a mouse is used to control a cursor and icons are
selected to open/run windows. Each window contains an application and modern computer
systems allow several windows to be open at the same time. An example is shown in Figure
2 (here, a number of icons can be seen on the on the bottom of the screen ‘window’):
A window manager looks after the interaction between windows, the applications and
window system (which handles the pointing devices and the cursor’s position).
In recent years, devices such as touch screen smartphones and tablets use post-WIMP
interaction, where fingers are in contact with the screen allowing actions, such as pinching
and rotating, which would be difficult to do using a single pointer and device such as a
mouse.
 Figure 2: Screen image showing icons

The table below summarises the main advantages and disadvantages of CLI and GUI.
Advantages and disadvantages of CLI and GUI interfaces

Interface Advantages Disadvantages

Command line The user is in direct communication The user needs to learn a number of
interface (CLI) with the computer. commands to carry out basic
operations.
The user is not restricted to a number of
pre-determined options. All commands need to be typed in,
which takes time and can be error
It is possible to alter computer prone.
configuration settings.
Each command must be typed in using
the correct format, spelling, and so on.
Graphical The user does not need to learn any This type of interface uses up
user interface commands. considerably more computer memory
(GUI) than a CLI interface.
It is more user-friendly; icons are used
to represent applications. The user is limited to the icons provided
on the screen.
A pointing device (such as a mouse) is
used to click on an icon to launch the Needs a more complex operating
application – this is simpler than typing system, such as Windows, to operate,
in commands. which can be slower to execute
commands.
Who would use each type of interface?
CLI: a programmer, analyst, or technician; basically, somebody who needs to have direct
communication with a computer to develop new software, locate errors and remove them,
initiate memory dumps (contents of the computer memory at some moment in time), and
so on.
GUI: the end-user who does not have to (or does not need to) have any great knowledge of
how the computer works; a person who uses the computer to run software, play games or
store/manipulate photographs, for example.

Dialogue-Based User Interfaces

Dialogue-based user interfaces use the human voice to give commands to a computer
system. An example of its use is in some luxury modern cars, where voice activation is used
to control devices such as the in-car entertainment system or satellite navigation system. By
speaking certain commends, such as ‘Hey BMW, drive me to the nearest airport’, the system
allows natural speech to enable the driver to intuitively interact with the car. The satellite
navigation system will automatically direct the driver to their chosen destination (in this
case, the nearest airport). This type of interface could also be used in the home; by using
voice commands, it is possible to switch on/off lights, operate electronic equipment and so
on. In recent years, devices such as Amazon Alexa, Google Now, Apple Siri and Microsoft
Cortana have all been developed to interact with a human by recognising verbal commands.
These devices act as a personal assistant.

Figure 3: Smart voice activated devices

Gesture-Based Interfaces
Gesture-based interfaces rely on human interaction by the moving of hands, head or even
the feet. Gesture recognition allows humans to interface with a computer in a more natural
fashion without the need for any mechanical devices. This type of interface uses techniques
known as computer vision and image processing. For example, using our car example
again, the following gestures can be used to carry out certain functions:
▪ rotating a finger clockwise near the radio will increase the sound volume (rotating the
finger anti-clockwise will reduce the sound volume).
▪ opening the thumb and next finger will change the track being listened to (for
example, in a playlist).
▪ moving the foot under the rear bumper of the car automatically opens the boot lid.
▪ moving a hand near a window switch automatically opens a window.
There are many other examples. Either a sensor or a camera is used to pick up the gesture
and a signal is sent to an on-board computer to carry out the required action. It eliminates
the need for an array of buttons and dials on the dashboard.
The table below summarizes the main advantages and disadvantages of dialogue-based and
gesture-based interfaces.
Advantages and disadvantages of dialogue-based and gesture-based interfaces

Interface Advantages Disadvantages

Dialogue-based ▪ no need for a driver to take their ▪ still unreliable, with many commands
interface hands off the steering wheel. not being recognized or needing to be
repeated several times (especially if
▪ in a home, very useful for people there is background noise)
with disabilities, because many
tasks can be carried out by the ▪ can be quite complex to set up.
spoken word only.
▪ user needs to know which
▪ possible to use as a security feature, commands can be used.
because voice recognition could be
used to identify a person
Gesture-based ▪ replaces mechanical input devices. ▪ possible for unintentional movement
interface to be picked up.
▪ no physical contact required.
▪ only works fairly near to the camera
▪ very natural interface for a human or sensor (maximum of 1.5 metres)
operator.
▪ may only accept a limited number of
▪ no training needed to interface with movements (for example, it may take
the computer.
several attempts to find out exactly
what finger movements are
recognised)
 Exam-Style Questions
1. Tick (✓) whether the following are features of operating systems containing a command line
interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI). [4]
CLI (✓) GUI (✓)

Instructions have to be typed.

Applications are represented by icons.
Options are chosen from a menu.
Many instructions have to be memorized.
Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) Paper 12 Q2, February/March 2016

2. Computer operating systems have developed since early computers used Command Line
Interfaces (CLI). Many computers now use Graphical User Interfaces (GUI), some of which
are capable of using touch screen technology.
Compare and contrast CLI and GUI. [8]
Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) Paper 11 Q14, May/June 2017

3. Six descriptions are shown on the left and six computer terms are shown on the right.
Draw lines to link each statement to its correct computer term. [6]

Method whereby a person uses their voice to carry output device

out a function

Physical component that allows data to be entered analogue

into a computer system

Physical component, such as a monitor, printer, or computer-aided

projector under the control of the computer design

Small application that carries out a single task; dialogue-based

usually embedded in the html page on a website interface

Software used to help in the creation, manipulation, input device

modification, and analysis of a drawing

Physical data that changes smoothly and is not step applet

wise; has an infinite number of possible values