CHAPTER 2
OPERATING SYSTEM – WINDOWS 7
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It
manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software
and hardware.
Internal Structure of the Operating System
The operating system has two important components- Shell and Kernel.
Shell : -
The shell is the outer layer of programming that understands and executes the commands
a user enters. In some systems, the shell is called command interpreter. The user inputs
commands through the shell and the kernel receives the tasks from the shell and performs
them.
Kernel : -
The inner core of the operating system is called the Kernel. It is a software, which is
loaded next after the bootstrap loader. It handles the rest of the start-up of the computer
system. It also takes care of the input/output requests from software and translates them
into instructions for the CPU.
Types of Operating System
Given below are the different types of Operating System along with brief
information about each of them:
1. Batch Operating System
There is no direct communication between the computer and the OS
There is an intermediate, the Operator, which needs to distribute the work
into batches and sort similar jobs
Multiple users can use it
Can easily manager a large amount of work
2. Real-Time Operating System
It has a data processing system
The processing time is very small between the user’s command and the
output
Used in fields where the response needs to be quick and rapid
3. Time-Sharing Operating System
Multiple people at various terminals can use a program at the same time
The main motive is to minimize the response time
4. Distributed Operating System
When two or more systems are connected to each other and one can open
files which are not present in their system but in other devices connected
in the network
Its usage has now increased over the years
They use multiple central processors to serve real-time applications
Failure of one system does not affect the other systems connected in the
network
5. Embedded Operating System
These special Operating systems are built into larger systems
They generally are limited to single specific functions like an ATM
6. Single user Single Tasking Operating System
In this Operating system only one user can access the computer at a time.
7. Multi User Single Tasking Operating System
This operating system allows multiple users to access a computer system
simultaneously.
For this purpose a network is laid down to run single program.
8. Multi User Multi Tasking Operating System
In this operating system multiple programs are allowed to run by multiple
users at a time.
Functions of Operating System
Given below are the various functions of an Operating System:
It helps with memory management. It keeps a track of the files being saved
in the Main memory and the primary memory of the computer device
Whenever a computer is turned on, the Operating system automatically
starts to work. Thus, the booting and rebooting process of a computer
device is also an important function of the OS
It provides a user interface
Managing of basic peripheral devices is done by the operating system
Using the password protection option of an operating system, the data in
the device can be kept secure
It coordinates with the software and the user
Easy navigation and organization of files and programs are managed by
the OS
Any kind of program which needs to be run through the system is done by
the operating system
If any kind of error or bug is found during the program is detected using the
operating system
List of Common Operating Systems
Given below is a list of commonly used Operating systems along with their year
of release. List of Operating Systems
MS DOS
Microsoft Disk Operating System. It was originally developed by Microsoft for
IBM in August 1981. It is a 16-bit Operating System.
Unix
It is a computer operating system used for multitasking and for multiusers. It was
developed from the original AT & T Unix, in 1969 at the Bell Labs research center
by Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie.
Mac OS
It is operating system developed by Apple Inc. to be used by Macintosh
computers in 1984. Originally, the Macintosh operating systems were called
System x.
Windows
It is the most popular operating system. It is developed by Microsoft. Since its
launch, Microsoft has released several versions of the OS like Windows
96/08/2000/7/8/10 etc.
BOSS
Bharat Operating System Solutions
It was developed at Center for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC).
Chennai INDIA. This software package has been described as India’s own PC
operating system. It was developed for enhancing the use of Free/Open source
software throughout India.
Ubuntu
It is an easy to use operating system. It is a free software which is Linux based.
Ubuntu was developed by UK-based canonical Ltd., owned by Mark
Shuttleworth in October 2004. It is a single platform OS for all kinds of
computing. It also runs network servers.
Mobile Operating Systems (Mobile OS)
It is an OS that is specially designed to run on mobile devices such as mobile
phones, smartphones, tablets etc.
Commonly used Mobile OS are -
Android OS –
The Android mobile OS is Google’s Open and free software for use on mobile
devices. Updates have been developed with codenames Cupcake, Donut,
Éclair, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream, Sandwich etc.
iPhone OS/iOS –
Developed by Apple, the iPhone OS was originally developed for use on its
iPhone devices.
Symbian OS
This OS originally developed by Symbian Ltd, is a mobile operating system
which targets at mobile phones. Symbian was used by many major mobile
phone brands, like Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and above all by Nokia.
Windows Operating System
Windows Operating System (OS) is a graphical user interface (GUI) based
operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation. It is designed to provide
users with a user-friendly interface to interact with their computers. Windows
Operating System is compatible with a wide range of hardware and software
applications, making it a popular choice for both personal and business
computing. It has a built-in security system to protect the computer from malware
and viruses. Windows Operating System also allows users to run multiple
applications simultaneously, making it easy to work on multiple tasks at the
same time.
File System
A file system is a structure used by an operating system to organize and manage
files on a storage device such as a hard drive, solid state drive (SSD), or USB
flash drive. It defines how data is stored, accessed, and organized on the
storage device.
File: - Files are of different types as you know and are saved with different
extension names consisting of 3-4 letters. They can be picture, music, videos or
text.
Folder: - A folder serves as a container to store files and other folders. Folders
can also store other folders. A folder within a folder is usually called a subfolder.
Recycle Bin : -
Once a file/folder is deleted it goes to a temporary location called a Recycle Bin.
You can retrieve the file or folder deleted by mistake by clicking on the restore
option.
Creating New file and folder
Rename File or Folder
Copy or Move a file or folder
Creating a Shortcut
Arranging files and folders
Personalizing the Desktop
Changing the Wallpaper
Control Panel – Appearance and Personalization – Change Desktop
Background – select the picture.
Changing Screensaver –
Control Panel – Appearance and Personalization – Change screen saver –
screen saver settings – click on ok
Changing Theme –
Control panel – Appearance and Personalization – Change theme – click on
apply button.
Adding Desktop Gadgets: - Calendar, Watch and Sticky Notes.
Searching for files and folders –
Any file and folder can be searched using search box.
Using Wild card characters –
Files and folders can be used using wild card characters like ?,*
Accessories: -
Windows 7 includes a few programs called accessories, such as the clock,
Calculator and Paint. You can start any accessory from the Start menu.
Paint: -
WordPad: -
Calculator: -
Question and Answer –
D. Answer the following Questions -
1. Give any 2 examples of gadgets in Windows 7.
Ans. Clock, Calendar, Weather.
2. What are mobile OS?
Ans. It is an OS that is specially designed to run on mobile devices.
3. What is an interface?
Ans. The working environment provided by the operating system to the user after
it gets loaded on the computer is called interface.
4. Define the following. 1. Theme, 2 Screen saver.
Theme : - A theme is a combination of picture, colour and sound on your
computer.
Screen saver : - It is a moving picture or graphic which runs when your computer
is idle.
5. What is icon?
Ans. Icons are small pictures found on the desktop that represent files, folders
and programs.
6. How is the Recycle bin is useful?
Ans. Recycle bin is a temporary location to store the deleted files and folders.
7. What is an operating system?
Ans. It is a system software which acts as an interface between the user and the
hardware.
8. What is a shortcut?
Ans. The icon which provides a link to an application is known as a shortcut.
E. Long answer Questions.
Q. 1What is the difference between a wallpaper and a screensaver?
Ans. – Wallpaper is the picture or background you see when you start your
computer whereas screen saver is a moving picture or graphic, which runs when
your computer is idle.
Q. 2. Write down the steps for changing the Desktop background.
Ans. – 1. Click on Start Button and go to control panel.
2. In the appearance and personalization Click on change desktop background.
3. In the desktop background window, you can choose a picture from the
thumbnails available. To select more than one picture use the shift/Ctrl key.
4. In the Picture position box, you can choose any option from the list.
5. You can change the picture if you have selected more than one, by going to
change the picture box. Set the time as per your choice.
6. Click on Save changes to apply the new background.
Q. 3 What is a windows gadget?
Ans. – Gadget is a mini program in windows, which offer information at a glance
and provide easy access to frequently used tools. Ex. Clock, Weather etc.
Q. 4. What are the different types of operating systems?
Ans. – 1. Batch Operating System
2. Real-Time Operating System
3. Time-Sharing Operating System
4. Distributed Operating System
5. Embedded Operating System
6. Single user Single Tasking Operating System
7. Multi User Single Tasking Operating System
8. Multi User Multi Tasking Operating System
Q. 5. How can a file be recovered from the recycle bin?
Ans. We can recover a file frim recycle bin by clicking on the restore option. The
item will be moved back to the location from where it was deleted.
Q. 6. What are jump lists?
Ans. Jump lists are lists of recently opened programs, folders or websites that
are displayed either in the Start Menu or on the Taskbar Thumbnails.
Q. 7. What are the main functions of an operating system?
Ans. The main functions of operating system are: - Process Management,
Memory management, File management, Networking and Security, Device
management, Error detecting aids, Coordination between other software and
users.
Q. 8. Name the commonly used mobile OS? Explain any 2 in brief.
Ans. Android OS, iPhone OS/iOS, Symbian OS etc.
Android OS – The Android mobile OS is Google’s Open and free software for
use on mobile devices. Updates have been developed with codenames
Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream, Sandwich etc.
iPhone OS/iOS – Developed by Apple, the iPhone OS was originally developed
for use on its iPhone devices.
