System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices. -Operating systems and Utility programs.
An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources.
The process of starting or restarting a computer is called booting.
-Cold boot : Turning on a computer that has been powered off completely.
-Warm boot: Using the operating system to restart a computer.
A boot drive is the drive from which your computer starts, it can boot from a boot disk .
A recovery disk contains a few system files that will start the computer.
A user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen.
With a graphical user interface (GUI) , you interact with menus and visual images.
How an Operating system handles programs directly affects your productivity.
- Single user and multiuser, single tasking and multitasking , Foreground and background , preemptive multitasking and Multiprocessing.
A driver is a small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specific device.
Plug and Play automatically configures new devices as you install them.
A performance monitor is a program that assesses and report information about various computer resources and devices.
OS often provides users with the capability of :
- Managing files , Searching for files , Viewing images , Securing a computer
Automatic Update automatically provides updates to the program.
A server operating system organizes and coordinates how multiple users access and share resources on a network.
Each user has a user account, -A user name or user ID to identify a specific user .
-A password is a private combination of characters associated with the user name.
Stand-Alone Operating System
A stand-alone operating system is a complete operating system that works on a desktop computer, notebook computer , or mobile computing device ( example : Windows 7 , Mac OS X, UNIX , LINUX)
Windows 7 : Microsoft's fastest , most efficient operating system to date and is available in multiple editions: Windows 7 starter , Home premium , Ultimate , Professional. It provides program such as WINDOW FIREWALL , DVD MAKER , MEDIA PLAYER , GADGET GALLERY .
Mac OS : Standard for operating system ease of use, Latest version is MAC OS X.
UNIX: Multitasking operating system developed in the early 1970s.
LINUX : An open-source , popular , multitasking UNIX- type operating system.
Server Operating Systems
Windows server 2008 is an upgrade to windows server 2003. -Part of the windows server 2008 family , Multiple editions.
An embedded operating system resides on a ROM chip on a mobile device or consumer electronic device.
-Windows Embedded CE , Windows phone 7 , Palm OS , Iphone OS , Blackberry , Google Android , Embedded Linux , Symbian OS .
Utility Programs
A utility program is a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks.
A file manager is a utility that performs functions related to file management.
-Displaying a list of files
-Organizing files in folders
-Copying , renaming, deleting, moving, sorting files and folders.
-Creating shortcuts.
A search utility is a program that attempts to locate a file on your computer based on criteria you specify.
An Image Viewer allows users to display , copy , and print the contents of a graphic file.
An uninstaller removes a program , as well as any associated entries in the system files.
A disk cleanup utility searches for and removes unnecessary files
-Download program files
-Temporary internet files
-Deleted files
-Unused program files
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. - Defragmenting
A backup utility allows user to copy files to another storage medium.
A restore utility reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original form.
A screen saver causes a display device's screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no activity occurs for a specified time.
A personal firewall detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized instruction.
A virus describes a potentially damaging computer program that affects a computer negatively.
A worm copies itself repeatedly in memory or over a network
A trojan horse hides within a legitimate program
An antivirus program protects a computer against viruses.
Spyware is a program placed on computer without the user's knowledge that secretly collects information about the user. - A spyware remover detects and deletes spyware an other similar program.
Adware displays an online advertisement in a banner or pop-up window. - An adware remover is a program that detects and deletes adware.
A file compression utility shrinks the size of a file(s)
-Compressing files frees up room on the storage media
-Two types of compression: Lossy and lossless
Compressed files sometimes are called zipped files. -Can be uncompressed .
A media player allow you to view images and animation, listen , watch video files on your computer .
Disc burning software writes text, graphics,audio,and video files on a recordable disc.
A personal computer maintenance utility identifies and fixes operating system problems, detects and reparis disk problems, and includes the capability of improving a computer's performance.
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