System Software
Chapter 5
Objectives Overview
At the end of this lesson, the students should be
able to:
o Define system software and identify the two types of
system software
o Describe the functions of an operating system
o Identify and briefly describe three types of operating
systems
o Explain the purpose of several utility programs
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter
9&4
System Software
EX
A
M
System software consists of the programs that
control or maintain the operations of the computer
and its devices
Types of
System
Software
Operati Utility
ng Progra
systems ms
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating Systems
EX
A
M
Anoperating system (OS) is a set of
programs containing instructions that work
together to coordinate all the activities among
computer hardware
Start and resources
Provide a
shut down Manage Manage
user
Functions
a programs memory
interface
computer
OS
Establish Monitor
Coordinate Configure
an Internet performan
tasks devices
connection ce
Provide Automatic Control a Administer
utilities ally update network security
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
) Start & shut down a computer
The process of starting or restarting a computer is
called booting
Warm
Cold boot
boot
• Turning • Using the
on a operating
computer system to
that has restart a
been computer
powered
off
completel Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
An operating system includes various shut down
options
Sleep mode saves any
open documents and Hibernate saves any
programs to RAM, turns open documents and
off all unneeded programs to a hard disk
functions, and then before removing power
places the computer in from the computer
a low-power state
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
2) Provide user interface
A user interface controls how you enter data
and instructions and how information is displayed
on the screen
Graphical
user
Types of interface
user
interface Command
line
interface
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter
9&4
Operating System
Functions
With a graphical user interface (GUI), you interact
with menus and visual images
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter
9&4
Operating System
Functions
With a command-line interface, a user uses the
keyboard to enter data and instructions
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
3) Manage programs
How an operating system handles programs directly
affects your productivity
Single Multip
user/sing
Single
user/mul
Multi rocess
le
tasking
titasking user ing
Allows only
●
●
Allows a single
●
●
Supports two or
●
Enables two or
●
●
●
one user to user to work on more processors
more users to
run one two or more running
run program programs at the
program at a programs at
simultaneously same time
time the same time
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
4) Manage memory
Memory management optimizes the use of RAM
Virtual memory is a portion of a storage medium
functioning as additional RAM
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
5) Coordinate tasks
The operating system determines the order in which
tasks are processed
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
6) Configure devices
A driver is a small Plug and Play
program that tells the automatically
operating system how configures new
to communicate with a devices as you install
specific device them
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
Establish an Internet connection
Operating systems typically provide a means to
establish Internet connections
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
8) Monitor performance
A performance monitor is a program that assesses
and reports information about various computer
resources and devices
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
9) Provide utilities
Operating systems often provide users with the
capability of:
Managin Searchin
g files g for files
Viewing Securing a
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
0) Automatically update
Automatic update automatically provides updates
to the program
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
11) Control a network
Some operating systems A network
are designed to work administrator uses the
with a server on a server operating
network system to:
A server operating o Add and remove users,
system organizes and computers, and other
coordinates how multiple devices
users access and share o Install software and
resources on a network administer network
security
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Operating System
Functions
12) Administer security
Each user has a
user account
o A user name, or
user ID, identifies a
specific user
o A password is a
private combination
of characters
associated with the
user name
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Types of Operating EX
M
A
Systems
Examples of Operating Systems by Category
Category Name
Desktop /Stand-alone Windows
OS X
UNIX
Linux
Chrome OS
Server Windows Server
Mac OS X Server
UNIX
Linux
Mobile Google Android
Apple iOS
Windows Phone
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Desktop Operating
Systems
A desktop operating system is a complete
operating system that works on a desktop computer,
notebook computer, or mobile computing device
Window
Mac OS
s
UNIX Linux
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Desktop Operating
Systems
Windows 8 offers these features:
o Start screen interface with tiles
o Includes the desktop interface
o Support for input via touch, mouse, and keyboard
o Email app, calendar app, and browser included
o Photos, files, and settings you can sync with SkyDrive
o Enhanced security through an antivirus program, firewall, and
automatic updates
o Windows Store offers additional applications for purchase
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Desktop Operating
Systems
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Desktop Operating
Systems
The Macintosh operating system has set the
standard for operating system ease of use
Latest version is Mac OS X
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Desktop Operating
Systems
UNIX is a multitasking
operating system developed
in the early 1970s
Linux is an open-source,
popular, multitasking UNIX-
type operating system
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Desktop Operating
Systems
Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system
designed to work primarily with web apps
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Server Operating
Systems
A server operating system is an operating system
that is designed specifically to support a network
o Resides on a server
o The client computers rely on the server(s) for resources
Windows OS X
Server Server
UNIX Linux
Discovering Computers 2014:
Chapter 9 & 4
Mobile Operating
Systems
A mobile operating system resides on a
ROM chip on a mobile device or consumer
electronic device
Android iOS
Windows
Phone Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Mobile Operating
Systems
Android is an
open source, Linux-
based mobile
operating system
designed by
Google for
smartphones and
tablets
Discovering Computers 2014:
Chapter 9 & 4
Mobile Operating
Systems
iOS,developed by
Apple, is a
proprietary mobile
operating system
specifically made
for Apple’s mobile
devices
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter
9&4
Mobile Operating
Systems
Windows Phone,
developed by
Microsoft, is a
proprietary mobile
operating system
that runs on some
smartphones
Discovering Computers 2014:
Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
EX
A
M
A utility program is a type of system software that
allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
A file manager is a
utility that performs
functions related to
file management
o Displaying a list of files
o Organizing files in
folders
o Copying, renaming,
deleting, moving, and
sorting files and
folders
o Creating shortcuts
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
A search utility is a program that attempts to locate
a file on your computer based on criteria you specify
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
An image viewer
allows users to
display, copy, and
print the contents
of a graphics file
An uninstaller
removes a
program, as well as
any associated
entries in the
system files
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
A disk cleanup utility searches for and removes
unnecessary files
o Downloaded program
files
o Temporary Internet
files
o Deleted files
o Unused program
files
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
A disk defragmenter reorganizes the
files and unused space on a computer’s
hard disk so that the operating system
accesses data more quickly and programs
run faster
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
A backup utility
allows users to
copy files to
another storage
medium
A restore utility
reverses the
process and
returns backed up
files to their
original form
Page 424
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Figure 8-33
Utility Programs
A screen saver A personal
causes a display firewall detects
device’s screen to and protects a
show a moving personal computer
image or blank from unauthorized
screen if no activity intrusions
occurs for a
specified time
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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Figures 8-34 – 8-35
Utility Programs
An antivirus program protects a computer against
viruses by identifying and removing any computer
viruses found in memory, on storage media, or on
incoming files
o Computer virus – potentially damaging computer program
that affects or infects a computer negatively without user’s
knowledge
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
Spyware is a program placed Adware displays an
on a computer without the
user’s knowledge that secretly
online advertisement
collects information about the in a banner or pop-up
user window
A spyware
●
●
An adware
remover detects remover is a
and deletes program that
spyware and other detects and
similar programs deletes adware
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
Filters are programs that remove or block certain
items from being displayed
Web filtering ●
● A program that restricts access to certain material on
the Web
software
Anti-spam ●
● A filtering program that attempts to remove spam
before it reaches your inbox
programs
Phishing filters A program that warns or blocks user from potentially
●
●
fraudulent or suspicious Web sites
A filtering program that stops pop-up ads from
Pop-up blockers
●
●
displaying on Web pages
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
A file compression utility shrinks the size of
a file(s)
o Compressing files frees up room on the storage
media and improves system performance
Compressed files sometimes are called
zipped files
o Can be uncompressed
Page 427 Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
A media player allows you to view images and
animation, listen to audio, and watch video files on
your computer
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
Utility Programs
A personal
computer
maintenance
utility identifies
and fixes operating
system problems,
detects and repairs
disk problems, and
includes the
capability of
improving a
computer’s
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 9 & 4
End of Chapter 5
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter
9&4
