Computer and Info. Tech.

Operating System
 Classification of Software

Software

Application Software System Software

Operating System Device Drivers Utility Software

Classification of Software
 Application Software
 Designated for specific task
 E.g. Word Processor, Internet Browser,
Instant Messenger, Spreadsheet, DBMS,
…
 System Software
 Operating system (OS)
 Device drivers
 Utility software
System Software
 Device Drivers
 Controls peripheral devices such as
mouse, printer, scanner, …
 Some are included in the OS
 E.g. Built-in mouse drivers in Windows XP

Device
Computer
Driver
System Software
 Utility Software
 Help computer to run effectively
 File recovery software
 System backup software
 Improve computer performance

Disk defragmentation software

Disk scanning / cleanup software
 File Management

Program uninstaller
 File compression utility
 Protect computers from attack
 Anti-virus software

Firewall
 System Software
 Operating System (OS)
 Personal OS

Command Based: DOS
 Command-line interface
 Single-user, single-task supported
 Difficult to learn

Graphical User Interface: Windows, Mac OS
 Multitasking supported
 Plug-and-Play supported in Mac, Windows 9x and
later versions

Portable Devices: Linux, WinCE, Palm OS
 Embedded OS
WinCE
System Software
 Operating System
 Network OS (NOS)
 Command Based: UNIX, Linux
 Multitasking and multi-users environment
 Graphical User Interface: Linux, Windows
NT
 Multitasking and multi-users environment
Operating System
 Functions

User 1
User 2 User 3

User 4 User 5
Application Software

OS

Computer Resources
Operating System
 Functions
 Interact with users
 Providing an user interface for users to
operate the computer system
 Maintaining security by allowing
authorized user to access to the system
 Interface between hardware and
software
 Making resources available to users and
programs and coordinating their usage
Operating System
 Functions (cont’d)
 Interface between hardware and
software
 Optimizing the use of resources shared
among jobs
 Monitoring active activities and taking
appropriate actions when necessary
 Housekeeping
 Organizing files
 Event logging
 Managing utility programs
Operating System
 Functions (cont’d)
 Interface between hardware and
software
 Device Configuration
 File Management
 Memory Management

Interface Platform
 Network Communication Management
Operating System
 Platform
 Class of CPU + OS
 Programs may be designed for
specific platform
 Two problems
 Availability of an application software
 Compatibility of platform with hardware
and software
 Cross-platform technologies
 E.g. Java virtual machine, .NET framework