Chapter 6

System Software: Operating

Systems and Utilities

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 1

Chapter 6
Learning Objectives
◼ Understand the difference between systems software
and application software.

◼ Explain the different functions of an operating system

and discuss some ways that operating systems can
differ from one another.

◼ List several ways in which operating systems can

enhance processing efficiency.

◼ Name today’s most widely used operating systems

for desktop PCs and servers.
Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 2
Learning Objectives, Cont’d.
◼ State several devices other than desktop PCs and
servers that require an operating system and list one
possible operating system for each type of device.

◼ Describe the role of utility programs and outline

several duties these programs can perform.

◼ Speculate about what the operating systems of the

future may be like.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 3

Overview
◼ This chapter covers:

◼ Differences between system software and application

software

◼ Functions of and differences among operating systems

◼ Various types of operating systems

◼ Functions of and various types of utility programs

◼ A look at the possible future of operating systems

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 4
System Software vs. Application
Software
◼ System software acts as a mediator between
application programs and the hardware resources of
the computer system.

◼ Application software provides the tools to perform

particular tasks on a PC, such as writing a letter,
processing orders, playing games, composing an
e-mail, and so forth.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 5

The Operating System
◼ A computer’s operating system is the collection of
programs that manage and coordinate the activities
of the computer system.

◼ Primary responsibilities are management and control.

◼ The operating system is the go-between, meshing

the user’s application program with the resources of
the system.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 6

Functions of an Operating System
◼ Booting the computer and configuring
devices.

◼ Interfacing with users.

◼ Managing and monitoring resources and jobs.

◼ File management.

◼ Security.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 8

Processing Techniques for Increased
Efficiency
◼ Multitasking—the ability of an operating system to
work with more than one program (task) at a time.

◼ Multithreading—the ability to process multiple

threads within a program at one time.

◼ Time-sharing—technique for multiple programs to

share processing on a rotating basis.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 10

Processing Techniques for Increased
Efficiency, Cont’d.
◼ Multiprocessing—the ability to use multiple CPUs
to process multiple jobs.

◼ Parallel processing—the ability to use multiple

CPUs to process a single job faster.

◼ Coprocessing—utilizing special processors for

specialized chores (e.g. math coprocessor).

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 11

Processing Techniques for Increased
Efficiency, Cont’d.
◼ Memory management, such as the use of virtual
memory.

◼ Buffering and spooling

◼ A buffer is an area in RAM or on the hard drive to

hold input and output on their way in or out of

system.
◼ The process of placing items in buffer so they can

be retrieved by appropriate device is spooling.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 13

Differences Among Operating
Systems
◼ Command line vs. graphical
user interface.

◼ Personal vs. network operating

systems.

◼ Types and numbers of

processors supported.

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Operating Systems for Desktop PCs
and Servers
◼ PC operating systems are usually designed for use
on either:
◼ Desktop PCs (personal operating systems)

◼ Network servers (network operating systems)

◼ Some operating systems have versions for both;

some personal operating systems have limited
networking capabilities.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 16

DOS
◼ PC-DOS and MS-DOS were the dominant operating
systems until the early 1990s.

◼ DOS traditionally used a command-line interface; it is

not widely used today.

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Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 18
Windows
◼ Many versions of the Windows operating system
have existed over the last several years.

◼ Windows 3.x (an operating environment over DOS, not

an operating system).

◼ Windows 95 and Windows 98 (personal operating

systems).

◼ Windows Me (personal operating systems for home

PCs).

◼ Windows NT (network operating system).

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 19

Windows, Cont’d.
◼ Windows 2000 (network and professional operating
system).

◼ Windows XP (latest version that replaces both

Windows 2000 and Windows Me for home and office
PCs; based on Windows NT).

◼ Windows Server 2003 (latest network version).

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Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 21
Mac OS
◼ Mac OS is the proprietary operating system used with
Apple computers.

◼ Mac OS has a graphical user interface.

◼ The newest version is Mac OS X Version 10.3.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 23

UNIX
◼ UNIX is a commonly-used, high-end PC and server
operating system.

◼ Not built around any one particular family of

microprocessors—can be used on a variety of
computers.

◼ Though traditionally a command line operating

system, newer versions of UNIX use a GUI.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 25

Linux
◼ Linux is a version of Unix originally created in 1991.

◼ Linux is open-source software; has been collaboratively

modified by volunteer programmers all over the world.

◼ Traditionally a command line operating system; many

versions now use a GUI.

◼ Recent increased support from big name companies (Sun,

IBM, HP, and Novell, for instance) has increased the use
and support of Linux.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 26

NetWare
◼ One of the most widely used operating system on
PC-based networks.

◼ NetWare provides a shell around the users’ local

desktop operating systems so they can interact with
network resources.

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OS/2 and OS/2 Warp
◼ OS/2 is an operating system designed by IBM for
high-end PCs.

◼ Available in both server and client versions (for

accessing an OS/2 server).

◼ The newest versions is called OS/2 Warp 4.0.

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Solaris
◼ Designed for Sun computers.

◼ Can run on desktop PCs, servers, and some

supercomputers.

◼ The latest version is Solaris 9.

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Operating Systems for Handheld
PCs and Mobile Devices
◼ Windows Embedded—designed for non-personal
computer-based devices (e.g. cash registers).

◼ Windows Mobile—designed for handheld PCs,

smart phones, and other mobile devices.

◼ Palm OS—designed for Palm handheld PCs.

◼ Symbian OS—designed for use with smart

phones.

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Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 32
Operating Systems for Larger
Computers
◼ Larger computers typically used operating systems
designed specifically for that type of system.

◼ Many mainframes and supercomputers today are

running Linux.

◼ A group of Linux PCs linked together to computer at

supercomputing levels is called a Linux supercluster.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 33

Utility Programs
◼ Utility program—a type of systems program written
to perform a specific system task, usually related to
managing or maintaining the system.

◼ Many utilities are built into operating systems as well

as being available as stand-alone programs.

◼ File management programs—allow you to look at

and manage the files stored on your PC (copy, move,
organize into folders, etc.).

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 34

Utility Programs, Cont’d.
◼ Antivirus programs—find and eliminated
computer viruses on your PC.

◼ Should be set up to run continuously and scan

incoming files and e-mail messages.

◼ Should be set up to do a complete scan of your

PC about once per week.

◼ Need to be updated on a regular basis.

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Utility Programs, Cont’d.
◼ Diagnostic programs—evaluate the computer system
and make recommendations for fixing any errors
found.

◼ Disk management programs—diagnose and repair

problems related to the hard drive.
◼ Disk defragmentation programs rearrange the files

on a hard drive to store them in contiguous

locations to speed up performance.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 38

Utility Programs, Cont’d.
◼ Uninstall utilities remove programs from your hard
drive without leaving bits and pieces behind.
◼ Programs should never be deleted from the hard
drive without using an uninstall procedure, unless
there is no other alternative.

◼ File compression programs make files smaller for

archiving or sending over the Internet.
◼ Compression programs can both compress (zip)
and decompress (unzip) files.
◼ Common programs are WinZip for Windows users
and Stuffit for Mac users.
Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 39
Utility Programs, Cont’d.
◼ Backup utilities are programs designed to back up the
contents of a hard disk.
◼ You can usually specify certain files or folders to be
backed up or back up an entire drive.

◼ Businesses should back up frequently and regularly;

individuals should back up their PC occasionally and
all important files each time they are modified.

◼ Recovery utilities are designed to help you recover from

a major computer problem, such as rolling back your
hard drive to an earlier state if it quits working after you
install a new piece of hardware or software.
Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 41
Utility Programs, Cont’d.
◼ Encryption programs are used to secure e-mail
messages and files that are sent over the Internet or
other networks; can also be used with individual files
stored on a hard drive.

◼ Network and Internet utilities include:

◼ Performance monitors
◼ Logging programs
◼ Directory services or identity management programs
◼ Firewall programs
◼ Antispam and e-mail filtering programs
Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 42
The Future of Operating Systems
◼ Will likely continue to become more user-friendly.

◼ May eventually be driven primarily by a voice interface.

◼ Will likely be used to access an increasing number of

Internet resources and applications, such as Web
based software and services.

◼ Will likely continue to support more synchronization

between an individual’s various computing devices,
such as a desktop PC, handheld PC, and smart phone.

Understanding Computers, 10th Edition, Enhanced 43

Summary
◼ System software vs. application software

◼ The operating system

◼ Operating systems for desktop PCs and servers

◼ Operating systems for handheld PCs and mobile devices

◼ Operating systems for larger computers

◼ Utility programs

◼ The future of operating systems

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