Lecture 5

System Software: Operating Systems and Utility Programs

Reference:
[Book By :Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow 15th International Edition,
Deborah Morley and Charles S. Parker.]
 Chapter 5
System Software: Operating Systems and
Utility Programs

Reference:
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 15th International Edition Deborah
Morley and Charles S. Parker.
 Agenda
01 Differences between system software and application software

02 Functions of and differences among operating systems

03 Various types of operating systems

04 Functions of and various types of utility programs

 Agenda
A look at the possible future of operating systems
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 System Software and Application Software

• System software: The operating system and utility programs

that control a computer system and allow you to use your computer
– Enables the boot process, launches applications, transfers files,
controls hardware configuration, manages hard drive, and p
rotects from unauthorized use
• Application software: Programs that allow a user to perform
specific tasks on a computer
– Word processing, playing a game, preparing taxes, browsing
the Web, and so forth

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 The Operating System

• Operating system: A collection of programs that manage

and coordinate the activities taking place within a computer
system
– Acts as an
intermediary
between the
user and the
computer

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 Functions of an Operating System

• Interfacing with users (typically via a GUI)

• Booting the computer
– Kernel is loaded into memory
– Processes are started
– msconfig used to control startup of processes
• Configuring devices
– Device drivers are often needed; can be reinstalled if needed
– Plug and Play devices are recognized
automatically

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 Functions of an Operating System

Managing resources and jobs

Makes resources available to devices
Monitors for problems
Scheduling routines
File management
Keeps track of files stored
on computer
Hierarchical format
Security
Passwords
Biometric characteristics
Firewalls

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File Management

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 Processing Techniques for Increased Efficiency

• Memory management: Optimizing the use of main memory

(RAM)
– Virtual memory: Memory-management technique that uses
hard drive space as additional RAM

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 Processing Techniques for Increased Efficiency

• Buffering and spooling: Used with printers and other

peripheral devices
• Buffer: area in RAM or on the hard drive designated
to hold input and output on their way in or out of the s
ystem
• Spooling: placing items in a buffer so they can be
retrieved by the appropriate device when needed

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 Differences Among Operating Systems

• Command line vs. graphical user

interface (GUI)
– Most operating systems use
GUI today

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 Differences Among Operating Systems

• Personal vs. server operating system

– Personal operating system: designed to be installed on
a single computer
– Server operating system: designed to be installed on a
network server
• Client computers still use a personal operating system
• Server operating system controls access to network r
esources
– Many operating systems come in both versions
• Mobile and embedded operating systems also exist

13
Server Operating Systems

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 Differences Among Operating Systems

• Types of processors supported

– Desktop, mobile, server, etc.
• Number of processors
• 32-bit or 64-bit CPUs
• Support for other technologies
– New types of buses
– Virtualization
– Power-saving features
– Touch and gesture input

15
 Operating Systems for Personal Computers and
Servers
• DOS: Disk Operating System
– PC-DOS: Created originally for IBM microcomputers

– MS-DOS: used with IBM-compatible computers

– DOS traditionally used a command-line interface
– Can enter DOS commands in Windows

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 Windows

• Windows: The predominate personal operating system

developed by Microsoft Corporation
– Windows 1.0 through Windows 3.x: Operating environm
ents for DOS
– Windows 95 and Windows 98: Used a similar GUI to
the one used with Windows 3.x
– Windows NT (New Technology): first 32-bit version of
Windows designed for high-end workstations and s
ervers
– Windows Me (Millennium Edition): designed for home
computers, improved home networking and a shared
Internet connection

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 Windows

– Windows Server: Server version of Windows

• Windows Server 2016: Most recent version
• Includes a variety of services
– Web platform
– Support for virtualization
– New security tools
– Streamlined management tools
– Windows Home Server: New operating system based on
Windows Server
• Provides services for a home network
• Can back up all devices on the network automatically

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 Mac OS

• Mac OS: Proprietary operating system for computers ma

de by Apple Corporation
– Based on the UNIX operating system; originally set the
standard for graphical user interfaces
– Mac OS X Snow Leopard: Most recent personal versio
n
– Includes:
• Safari Web browser
• New features like Time Machine, Stacks, Quick
Look, Boot Camp, etc.
• More responsive than previous versions

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Mac OS

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 UNIX

• UNIX: Operating system developed in the late 1960s for

midrange servers
– Multiuser, multitasking operating system
– More expensive, requires a higher level of technical kn
owledge; tends to be harder to install, maintain, and up
grade
– “UNIX” initially referred to the original UNIX operating s
ystem, now refers to a group of similar operating syste
ms based on UNIX
– Single UNIX Specification: A standardized UNIX
environment

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 Linux

• Linux: Version (flavor) of UNIX available without charge over

the Internet
– Increasingly being used with personal computers, servers,
mainframes, and supercomputers
– Is open-source software: has been collaboratively modified
by volunteer programmers all over the world
– Originally used a command line interface, most recent
versions use a GUI
– Strong support from mainstream companies, such as Sun,
IBM, HP, and Novell
– Much less expensive than Windows or Mac OS

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Linux

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 Operating Systems for Mobile Phones
and Other Devices
• Windows Mobile: Designed for mobile phones
– Look and feel of desktop versions
– Current version 6.1, next version to be called Microsoft
Phone.
• Windows Embedded: Designed for consumer and
industrial devices that are not personal computers
– Cash register, GPS devices, ATMs, medical devices
and robots.
– Windows Automotive and Microsoft Auto for cars
• Ford Sync
• Android: Linux based OS developed by Open Handset
Alliance (including Google)

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 Operating Systems for
Mobile Phones and Other Devices

iPhone OS: Designed for Apple Mobile phones and mobile devi
ces.
BlackBerry Operating System: Designed for BlackBerry dev
ices
Palm OS and Palm webOS: Designed for Palm devices
Symbian OS: Designed for use with smart phones
Embedded Linux: Used with mobile phones, GPS devices, and
other mobile devices

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 Operating Systems for
Mobile Phones and Other Devices

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 Operating Systems for Larger Computers

• Larger computers sometimes use operating systems designed

solely for that type of system
• IBM’s z/OS and i/5OS operating systems are designed for their
servers and mainframes
• Windows, UNIX, and Linux are also used with both mainframes
and supercomputers
• Often a group of Linux computers are linked together to form

what is referred to as a Linux supercomputing cluster

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 Utility Programs

• Utility program: Software that performs a specific task, usually

related to managing or maintaining the computer system
• Many utilities are built into operating systems (for finding files, vie
wing images, backing up files, etc.)
• Utilities are also available as stand-alone products and as suites.

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 File Management Programs

• File management programs: Enable the user to perform

file management tasks, such as:
– Looking at the contents of a storage medium
– Copying, moving, and renaming files and folders
– Deleting files and folders
– File management program in Windows is Windows Explorer

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Using Windows Explorer

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Using Windows Explorer

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 Utility Programs

• Search tools: Designed to search for files on the user’s hard

drive
– Windows includes search tools
• Diagnostic programs: Evaluate your system and make
recommendations for fixing any errors found
• Disk management programs: Diagnose and repair proble
ms related to your hard drive
• Uninstall utilities: Remove programs from your hard drive
without leaving bits and pieces behind
• Important to properly uninstall programs, not just delete them

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 Utility Programs
Clean up utilities: Delete temporary files
File compression programs: Reduce the size of files so the
y take up less storage space on a storage medium or can be trans
mitted faster over the Internet
Both zip and unzip files
WinZip (Windows users) and Stuffit (Mac users)

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 Utility Programs

• Backup and recovery utilities: Make the backup and

restoration process easier
– Backup: Duplicate copy of data or other computer c
ontent
– Good backup procedures are critical for businesses
– Individuals should back up important documents,
e-mail, photos, home video, etc.
– Store backup data on a CD or DVD, second hard drive,
flash memory drive, or upload to the Internet
– Back up your entire computer once all programs have b
een installed, so your system can be restored to that c
onfiguration.

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Backup Programs

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 Utility Programs

• Security programs: Protect computers and users

– Antivirus programs
– Antispyware programs
– Firewalls
– Many are included in Windows and other operating systems
– Discussed in detail in Chapter 9

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 The Future of Operating Systems

• Will continue to become more user-friendly

• Will eventually be driven primarily by a voice interface
• Likely to continue to become more stable and self-healing
• Will likely continue to include improved security features and
to support multiple processors and other technological i
mprovements
• May be used primarily to access software available through
the Internet or other networks

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 Outcome

After completing this chapter, Student will be able to do the following:

1. Understand the difference between system software and application software.

2. Explain the different functions of an operating system and discuss some ways that operating
systems enhance processing efficiency.
3.Discuss the role of utility programs and outline several tasks that these programs perform

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 Review Questions

• What type of utility program is designed to automatically make duplicate copies of your hard
drive content for safekeeping?
• Describe what the operating systems of the future might be like.
• Describe the several ways in which operating systems differ from one another.

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Thank you