ICT in Business

Operating
System (OS)
In this chapter you will learn about:
 Basic Concept of Software
 Difference Between System Software & Application
Software
 Basic Concept of Operating System (OS)
 Objectives of Operating System (OS)
 Functions of Operating System (OS)
 Types of Operating System (OS)
 How Utility Software Enhance Performance of an
Operating System (OS)
 Software

 Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to

operate computers and execute specific tasks.
 It is the opposite of hardware, which describes the physical
aspects of a computer
 The user cannot touch the software but can see through
the Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Types of Software

 System Software
 Application Software
System Software

 Designed for running the computer hardware

parts and the application programs.
 Act as a middle layer between the user
applications and hardware.
 Operating System (OS) is the type of system
software.
 Operating systems like Windows, macOS, Android
and iOS are examples of system software.
Application Software

 Performs a specific function likes personal,

educational, and business function.
 Designed to assist end-users in accomplishing a
variety of tasks, which may be related to
productivity, creativity, or communication.
 Applications software include office suites,
graphics software, databases and database
management programs, web browsers, word
processors, software development tools, image
editors and communication platforms.
Operating System (OS)

 Operating System (OS) is an interface between

a computer user and computer hardware.
 It is a system software that manages
computer hardware, software resources, and
provides common services for computer
programs.
 It performs all the basic tasks like file
management, memory management, process
management, handling input and output, and
controlling peripheral devices such as disk
drives and printers.
Objectives of Operating System (OS)

 To make the computer system convenient to use in an efficient

manner.
 To hide the details of the hardware resources from the users.
 To provide users a convenient interface to use the computer
system.
 To act as an intermediary between the hardware and its users,
making it easier for the users to access and use other resources.
 To manage the resources of a computer system.
 To keep track of who is using which resource, granting resource
requests, and mediating conflicting requests from different
programs and users.
 To provide efficient and fair sharing of resources among users
and programs.
Common Operating System

 Linux Operating System.

 UNIX Operating System
 MS-DOS
 Microsoft Windows Operating
System.
 Ubuntu Operating System
 Palm OS
 Macintosh Operating System.
 Solaris Operating System.
 Symbian Operating System.
 Google Android Mobile Operating
System.
 Apple iOS Mobile Operating System.
 Platform Operating System
Microcomputer Linux, Macintosh OS, MS-DOS,
s Windows 98, Windows 2000

Minicomputers Linux, OpenVMS Alpha, UNIX

Mainframe IBM OS/390, IBM OS/400,

computers UNIX

Supercomputer
IRIX, UNICOS
s
 Functions of Operating System (OS)

 Providing a User Interface

 Running Programs
 Managing Hardware Devices
 Organizing Files and Folders
Providing a User Interface

 The OS provides a user interface (UI), which is an

environment for the user to interact with the
machine.
 The UI is either graphical or text-based;
 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
 Command Line Interface (CLI)
Graphical User Interface (GUI)

 Enables the users to interact with the operating

system by means of point-and-click operations.
 Graphical icon provided in the UI can be
manipulated by the users using a suitable
pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, touch
screen and light pen.
 Considered to be very user- friendly interface
because each object is represented with a
corresponding icon.
Advantages of GUI Based Operating
System (OS)

 The GUI interface is easy to understand and even

the new users can operate on them on their own.
 The GUI interface visually acknowledges and
confirms each type of activities performed by the
users. For example when the user deletes a file in
the Windows operating system, then the
operating system asks for the confirmation before
deleting it.
 The GUI interface enables the users to perform a
number of tasks at the same time. This features
of the operating system are also known as
multitasking.
Command Line Interface (CLI)

 A method of interaction that is non-graphical,

called the command line interface (CLI).
 This is a text-only service with feedback from the
OS appearing in text.
 Using a CLI requires knowledge of the commands
available on a particular machine.
Advantages of Using the Command Line
Interface

 A faster way to get tasks done

 It is more flexible than a GUI
 It uses less memory
Running Programs

 Loads a program into memory.

 Executes the program.
 Handles program's execution.
 Provides a mechanism for process
synchronization.
 Provides a mechanism for process communication
Managing Hardware
Devices

 An operating system manages how software

interacts with hardware to receive data from input
devices and send the results to output devices.
 Every piece of hardware comes with software
called a 'device driver', for example, the printer
will have a print driver, a mouse will have its own
mouse driver.
Organizing Files and
Folders

 The OS allows to organize the contents of

computer in a hierarchical structure of directories
that includes files, folders, libraries, and drives.
 Windows Explorer helps to manage files and
folders by showing the location and contents of
every drive, folder, and file on computer.
 Creating folders is the key to organizing files
because folders keep related documents together.
 Following naming conventions and using proper
file extensions are also important aspects of file
management.
Types of Operating System

 Real Time Operating System (RTOS)

 Single-User/ Single-Tasking OS
 Single-User/ Multitasking OS
 Multi-User/ Multitasking OS
Real Time Operating System (RTOS)

 A real-time operating system (RTOS) is a special-purpose

operating system used in computers that has strict time
constraints for any job to be performed.
 It is mostly used in environments where a large number of
events, mostly external to the computer system, must be
accepted and processed in a short time or within certain
deadlines.
 It is very fast and quick respondent systems.
 It requires quick transaction and characterized by supplying
immediate response.
 Examples of the real-time operating systems: Airline traffic
control systems, Command Control Systems, Airlines
reservation system, Heart Pacemaker, Network Multimedia
Systems, Robot etc.
Real Time Operating System (RTOS)

 Hard Real-Time Operating System; These operating

systems guarantee that critical tasks be completed within a
range of time. Examples are Airbag control in cars, anti-lock
brake, engine control system, etc.
 Soft Real-Time Operating System; This operating system
provides some relaxation in the time limit. This type of
system is used in Online Transaction systems, digital
camera, mobile phones, etc.
 Firm Real-time Operating System; RTOS of this type
have to follow deadlines as well. In spite of its small impact,
missing a deadline can have unintended consequences,
including a reduction in the quality of the product. For
Example, this system is used in various forms of Multimedia
applications.
Real Time Operating System (RTOS)

Advantages
 These operating
systems guarantee Disadvantag
that critical tasks be
completed within a es
very short range of Complex Algorithms
time and in a error
Slow device driver
free manner.
can interrupt
signals
Single-User/ Single-Tasking OS

 Allows a single user to perform only one task at a

time.
 Functions like printing a document, downloading
images, etc., can be performed only one at a
time.
 Designed especially for wireless phones as well as
two-way messaging devices
 Examples include MS-DOS, Palm OS, etc.
Single-User/ Single-Tasking OS

Advantages Disadvantag
 This operating system
occupies less space in es
memory.  It can perform only
 It is cost-effective. a single task at a
 Easy to maintain time.
 Concentrate on one task.  Tasks take longer
 Run on inexpensive time to complete.
computer.
 Idle time is higher.
Single-User/Multitasking OS

 Developed specially for one user, but this single

user is able to perform to multiple tasks run at a
same time frame.
 Examples such as one can write any text, while
surfing internet and downloading images with
watching movies, etc.
 This type of operating system is found in personal
desktop and laptop computers.
 Examples include Microsoft Windows, Linux and
Macintosh OS.
Single-User/Multitasking
OS

Advantages
 It is time saving as it performs multiple tasks at a
time yielding high productivity.

Disadvantages
 This operating system is highly complex and
occupies more space.
 Require expensive computer.
Multi-User/ Multitasking OS

 Supports more than one user at a time,

performing more than one task at a time.
 Powerful computer like a mainframe or
supercomputer is required for multi-user, multi-
tasking operating system to make maximum use
of the machine.
 Permits several users to utilize the programs that
are concurrently running on a single network
server.
 UNIX, VMS is example of a multiuser/ multitasking
operating system.
Multi-User/ Multitasking
OS

Advantages
 It is highly productive as it performs multiple tasks at a time.
 It is time saving as we don’t have to make changes in many
desktops, instead can make changes only to the server.

Disadvantages
 If the connection to the server is broken, user cannot perform
any task on the client as it is connected to that server.
 Powerful computer like a mainframe or supercomputer is
required.
Enhancing an OS with Utility Software

 Software developers are constantly creating new

programs, called utilities, that enhance or extend
the operating system's capabilities by offering
new features not provided by the operating
system itself.
 Utility Software is system software that helps to
maintain the proper and smooth functioning of a
Computer System.
 It assists the Operating System to manage,
organize, maintain, and optimize the functioning
of the computer system.
Popular Utility Software

 Backup Software
 Anti-Virus Software
 Firewall
 Intrusion Detection
 Screen Savers
Backup Software

 Backup software creates extra exact copies of

files, databases, or entire computers and is used
to do backups.
 Restore the backups to disk in the event of data
loss, file corruption, accidental or intentional
deletion or a disaster.
 Popular backup software tools include Norton
Ghost, Symantec Backup Exec, Acronis True Image
and TotalRecovery Pro.
Anti-Virus Software

 Antivirus utility can examine the contents of a

disk or RAM for hidden viruses and files that may
act as hosts for virus code.
 Antivirus products not only detect and remove
viruses; they also help to recover data that has
been lost because of a virus.
 Popular antivirus software providers include AVG,
McAfee, Norton and Kaspersky.
Firewall

 Firewall is a network security device that monitors

incoming and outgoing network traffic and
permits or blocks data packets based on a set of
security rules.
 Its purpose is to establish a barrier between the
internal network and incoming traffic from
external sources (such as the internet) in order to
block malicious traffic like viruses and hackers.
 Kerio WinRoute Pro, Cisco Secure Firewall, Zone
Labs Firewall etc. are common firewall platforms.
Intrusion Detection

 Intrusion detection software identifies the types of

attacks that a firewall is preventing, documents
the attempts, and alerts users to specific types of
intrusion attempts.
 Snort is the popular network intrusion detection &
prevention system software.
Screen Savers

 Screen savers are popular utilities, although they

serve little purpose other than to hide what would
otherwise be displayed on the screen.
 A screen saver automatically appears when a
keyboard or pointing device has not been used for
a specified period of time.
 It was first used to prevent damage to older
monitors but is now used as a way to prevent
viewing of desktop contents while the user is away.
 Fliqlo, System 47 etc. are the popular screen saver
software platform.
End of Chapter
.