Operating Systems
Learning Objectives
- Access websites
- Access and managing folders
- Set up your 365 and MS Office account
LEARN IT
Mainly, there are two kinds of software—application software and system software. Application software allows us to use a computer or computing device in many ways, such as creating a Microsoft Word document, creating a PowerPoint presentation, creating an Excel file, creating and querying a database, sending emails, browsing the internet, etc. Software such as Microsoft Office, Google Docs, antivirus programs, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and various apps that we install on our iPhones and Android phones are examples of application software.
An operating system (OS) is a system software. It is the most important software that runs on a computer or a computer system. In essence, an operating system allows us to operate a computer, thus the name “Operating System.” It manages the computer system’s memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows us to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer’s language.
The computer’s operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are several different computer programs running at the same time, and they all need to access the computer’s central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this and resolves conflicts to make sure each program gets what it needs. For example, if two processes (users) send two documents to print on a network printer, the operating system makes sure that one of them is printed while the other is queued because the printer can print only one document at a given time. It won’t be neat to print a mix of two documents!
Examples of operating systems are Windows, Macintosh, iOS, Android, Linux, etc. The Disk Operating System (DOS) is the oldest operating system, which was introduced by Microsoft in 1981 to operate IBM computers. Windows operating system is built around the DOS. You can access the DOS on your Windows computer by using the command line. Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer we buy. Many people choose the computer they buy based on the operating system, but it is possible to upgrade or even change operating systems. The operating system consists of many smaller programs, stored as system files, which transfer data to and from the disk and transfer data in and out of the computer’s memory. Other functions performed by the operating system include hardware-specific tasks: for example, when a key is pressed or when the mouse is clicked, the operating system translates it into appropriate actions such as displaying on the screen or starting a program.
Most operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced goo-ee). A GUI lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus. Everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a combination of grap