Operating System Offical
Operating System Offical
Operating System Offical
System Software:
Operating Systems
and Utility Programs
Overview
• This chapter covers:
– Differences between system software and application
software
– Functions of and general differences between operating
systems
– Specific operating systems most widely used today
– Functions of and various types of utility programs
– A look at future of operating systems
• Operating System
– A collection of programs that manage and coordinate the
activities taking place within a computer system
– Acts as an
intermediary
between the
user and the
computer and
between the
application programs
and system hardware
– File Management
• Keeps track of stored files on computer so they can be
retrieved when needed
– Files usually viewed in a hierarchical format
– Security
• Passwords
• Biometric characteristics
• Firewalls
– Multithreading
• The ability to rotate between multiple threads so that
processing is completed faster and more efficiently
• Thread
– Sequence of instructions within a program that is
independent of other thread
– Multiprocessing
• Each CPU (or core) typically works on a different job
• Used with personal computers with multi-core processors
– Parallel Processing
• CPUs or cores typically works together to complete one job
more quickly
• Used with servers and mainframes
• In either case, tasks are performed simultaneously
– Memory Management
• Optimizing the use of main memory (RAM)
• Virtual memory
– Memory-management technique that uses hard
drive space as additional RAM
• Utility Program
– Software that performs a specific task, usually related to
managing or maintaining the computer system
– Many utilities are built into operating
systems (for finding files, viewing
images, backing up files, etc.)
– Utilities are also available as
stand-alone products
and as suites
– Search Tools
• Designed to search for documents and other files on
the user’s hard drive
• Are often integrated into file management programs
• Third-party search tools are also available
– Diagnostic and Disk Management Programs
• Diagnostic programs evaluate your system and make
recommendations for fixing any errors found
• Disk management programs diagnose and repair
problems related to your hard drive