SOFTWARE AND OPERATING SYSTEM

Computer System can be think of two parts:Hardware:-Which performs all the computation and calculation work that computers are known for Software:-Which instructs the hardware what to do and how to do it.

Computer System

Computer Hardware

Computer Software

System Software

Application Software

Computer understand two concepts-On or Off, which is basis for binary language. Hardware needs a software(a set of programs) to instruct what has to be done. A program is a set of instructions that is arranged in a sequence to guide a computer to find a solution for the given problem. Process of writing a program is called programming. Programs written by the programmer using a programming language are also called source code.

Computer Games-Entertainment software Driver Software Educational Software:- e.g. Interactive geometry software, Language learning software Media Players Productivity Software:-e.g. Presentation Software Operating System Software :-e.g. Window Vista, Linux

There are two types of Software 1. Application Software 2. System Software

Designed for user to solve a particular problem It represent programs that allow users to do something. E.g. Spreadsheets, Database systems, games, Web Browsers

Provides a general programming environment in which programmer can create applications to suit their needs. It represent the programs that allow the hardware to run properly. Act as a interface between hardware of the computer & application Software that user need to run on the computer. E.g. Operating System

User 1

User 2

User n

Application Programs

System Software Computer Hardware e.g. printer, mouse,keyboard

System Software Collection of programs that enable users to interact with hardware components
Controls and manages the hardware It is machine dependent Programmer must understand the architecture of machine and h/w details to write it It interact with h/w directly Writing it is a complicated task

Application Software Collection of programs written for a specific application e.g. library system
Uses the services provided by system software to interact with hardware components It is Machine independent Mostly programmer ignores the architecture of machine and h/w details to write it It interact with h/w indirectly through system calls Writing it is relatively easy

Designed to operate Computer h/w and provide a platform for running application s/w. Most widely used system software types are:
Computer BIOS Operating System

It provide basic functionality to operate & control h/w connected to or built in the computer. BIOS is the first code run by computer when it is switched on. Key role of BIOS is to load the Operating System. When the computer starts, the code in the BIOS chips run a series of tests called POST(Power On Self Test) to ensure that system devices are working properly.

BIOS chips locates the software held on other devices like CD or Hard Disk, & loads and executes that software, giving it the control of Computer. This process is called Booting.

In short BIOS perform the following functions Initialize the system Hardware Initialize the system Registers Initialize Power Management System Test RAM Test all the serial & parallel Ports Display the system summary information.

The interface between the user and the computer hardware. A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware Operating system goals: Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier. Make the computer system convenient to use. Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner.

User interface
User interact with operating system

Kernel
Core of operating system, responsible for loading operating system

Job Scheduling

Intermed iator

Process Mgmt

Functions of OS File Mgmt

Security Memory

Intermediator: Facilitates easy communication between the computer system and the computer operator (human). It also establishes data security and integrity. Process Mgmt: that is, assignment of processor to different tasks being performed by the computer system. File Mgmt: that is, the storage of file of various storage devices to another. It also allows all files to be easily changed and modified through the use of text editors or some other files manipulation routines.

Memory Mgmt: that is, allocation of main memory and other storage areas to the system programs as well as user programs and data. Security: Operating systems provide password protection to keep unauthorized users out of the system. Job Scheduling: it determines and maintains the order in which jobs are to be executed in the computer system.

Operating system

GUI

Multiuser

Multitasking

Multiprocessing

Multithreading

Example

GUI - Short for Graphical User Interface, a GUI Operating System contains graphics and icons and is commonly navigated by using a computer mouse.

Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows for multiple users to use the same computer at the same time and/or different times.
Example: LINUX

An operating system that is capable of allowing multiple software processes to run at the same time. Below are some examples of multitasking operating systems.

Unix Windows XP, Vista

An operating system capable of supporting and utilizing more than one computer processor. more than one CPUs that can be shared Below are some examples of multiprocessing operating systems. Linux Unix Windows 2000

Smaller parts of a program are loaded when needed by OS Operating systems that allow different parts of a software program to run concurrently Operating systems that would fall into this category are:

E.G Linux Unix Windows 2000

DESKTOP SERVER MOBILE

DESKTOP

Types of OS
MOBILE SERVER

Operating System

Windows

Mac

Linux

By MICROSOFT co-operation

Advantages
Easy to use

Disadvantages

expensive

Familiar
Windows

Update

Windows

Gaming

Supporting

Not stable

Not secure

By APPLE Co-operation

Advantages
Great GUI

Disadvantages
Not gaming

Stable

Mac

Better to graphic designer

expensive

Mac

Not all software run

Secure

Difficult mouse (one click)

Advantages

Disadvantages
Not all software run

Free

Low pc requirement

Stable

Linux

Linux
Secure

Source Code

Hard to learn, use and install

Not support

Server operating systems are designed to provide platforms for multi-users , for critical, network applications. Their main purpose is to provide security, stability and collaboration. Most of them come with a pack of dedicated software tools such as Web servers, e-mail agents and terminal services The common applications for server OS are: File and printer sharing Application services (including databases) Web site services E-mail, groupware and messaging Terminal services Caching

Administration

Feature

Security

Server Operating System

Performance

Stability

operating system that controls a mobile device

Mobile OS

Symbian OS

iPhone OS

RIM BlackBerry

Windows Mobile

Linux

Palm OS

BADA

As Operating System controls and coordinates the use of the hardware among the various applications programs for various uses, we can say that it plays a very important role in computer system.