Module 7.1 "What is an Operating System?'" Study Guide

Lesson 7.1  “Operating Systems” Objectives

• Recognize the different types of operating systems and how they interact with the user and hardware.

• Identify the functions and utilities within an operating system.

• Understand the methods used to manage the system files and folders.

• Define the basic data backup concepts and processes.

Operating System Basics (7.1.1)

• A computer operating system is a piece of software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.

• One of the main jobs of an operating system (OS) is to allow the user to interact with the computer.

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Interfaces

• Operating systems provide an interface, or point where a human and a computer interact.

• You interact with an OS through either a command line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI).

• The strengths of a CLI are better control over programs and the whole system, quick navigation, and using scripts for faster results.

• A CLI also uses fewer system resources, which is great for older computers.

• However, It's easy to mistype characters, which can cause mistakes, and you get little feedback as you type.

• CLIs are harder to learn than GUIs because you have to remember many commands.

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Ease of Use

• Thanks to the OS, software developers don't need to worry about writing code to access the hard disk or to send a graphic to a printer; they can rely on the OS to do these things for them. The OS acts as a go-between for the hardware and applications, letting developers focus more on improving programs or building better pieces of hardware.

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Manage Drivers

• A "driver" is a piece of software made to control a specific piece of hardware on a certain OS.

• For example, a printer will have a driver for that specific model, and that model will have drivers for different operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.

• The OS identifies which hardware parts are in the PC and then loads the drivers for those parts

• Sometimes, however, the OS can't identify the hardware, and you or a technician will need to find the correct driver on the manufacturer's website and then download and install it.

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Processing Instructions

• Computer hardware and software is designed to operate with either 32 bits or 64 bits of instructions at one time (and that "one time" is as short as one billionth of a second).

• Operating systems work similarly, able to manage 32 bits or 64 bits at one time.

• As systems have advanced, 64 bits has become the standard size for today's CPUs and OSs.

• One significant benefit of 64-bit systems is the ability to address more memory, where 32-bit systems were limited to 4GB of memory, 64-bit systems jumps to 16 exabytes, which is equal to one billion gigabytes (GB).

Types of Operating Systems (7.1.2)

• operating systems can be customized to specific tasks.

• Some OSs are designed to support different hardware types, like mobile devices or servers. Others target different types of users, matching the resources and expertise available in an organization.

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Embedded Operating Systems

• An embedded operating system is a low-cost operating system that uses few system resources and is made for a single purpose.

• These special computers and their OS are often optimized for real-time processing. Examples include those used in cars and medical devices.

• Many consumer electronics, like video game consoles, also have an embedded OS.

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Open-Source Operating Systems

• Open-source is a term that applies to applications, software programs, and to operating systems too.

• Open source means that the code used to create a piece of software is available for anyone to look at and use.

• doesn't always mean that the software is free

• mean that developers can change how the software works, as long as they make the changes available to everyone else in turn.

• Linux and Android are two of the most well-known examples.

• Linux is an open-source OS created by Linus Torvalds in the early 1990s. The name "Linux" comes from combining his name, Linus, with "UNIX," which is the system he was building upon. Linux followed the same design structure: a multi-user and multitasking environment.

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Commercial Operating Systems

• A commercial OS is a type of operating system that you have to buy a license for in order to install and use—generally on only one device.

• Commercial OS code is also kept secret by the developing company, rather than shared out like open source code.

• When it comes to personal computers, there are four popular operating systems: Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. For smartphones, there are two most common operating systems: Android and iOS. Apple has also created a special type of iOS for iPads called iPadOS.

• All of these operating systems have different versions, or numbers.

• The different versions have upgraded features, or different functionality, or allow the system to work better with newer technology. This is an important thing to understand, because some newer OS versions need more resources than older computer hardware can provide.

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Windows

• Microsoft does not release major updates to its Windows operating system on a regular basis.

• Each new version of Windows comes with new features and better security. Many of the behind-the-scenes tools in Windows look and work the same, while the main desktop always gets a new look with the new version.

• Windows may look different from other operating systems, with a unique interface, but they all function very similarly

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Apple macOS

• Apple is very consistent with their macOS updates—you can expect a new version every autumn

• One important thing to know is that macOS only works on Apple computers. The other three operating systems (Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS) can run on many different brands of PCs.

• macOS is built on the same general design as UNIX, a mainframe operating system created in the 1960s.

• Because Apple designs both the hardware and the software, they can make macOS very secure and very stable.

• It's much less likely that you would get a virus on a Mac, though not impossible.
  

Text-based Operating Systems (7.1.3)

• A text-based operating system uses a command line interface (CLI).

• To interact with the system, you type commands into the console, which is just a plain screen or a window that accepts characters from the keyboard.

• This is how you can manage files, run programs, and change settings.

• Unlike the systems that you're probably familiar with, you don't use a mouse with a CLI because there are no icons to click on.

• The most popular text-based operating systems are part of the open-source Linux family.

• There are hundreds of different versions, called distributions or distros for short. These distros are created by individuals and companies, each with its own features.

• The most popular Linux OS is Ubuntu, which has been around since 2004. It's free and is popular for servers and cloud apps.

• Other well-known Linux distributions include Debian, Red Hat, and Mint.

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Benefits of Text-Based Operating Systems

• One benefit of a CLI is that it doesn't need a lot of resources to run well.

• These operating systems are simple and efficient because they don't have a graphical user interface (GUI), an interface that relies on icons and graphics, that uses extra CPU and memory.

• This means you can run a CLI on an older computer that might be lagging on your typical OS.

• Scripting is another key benefit of a CLI. Scripts are small programs that quickly execute instructions, saving the user time and effort. Users can also use a CLI system for remote management, making it possible to control computers from a distance.

• One of the reasons a text-based OS is commonly found in servers, is because a CLI will implement some tasks much faster than a system that uses visual cues. Text-based systems also provide more stability and reliability, which makes them a perfect match for servers.
  

Visual Operating Systems (7.1.5)

• A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is now the norm for almost all computers and devices. This is because they're user friendly and easy to follow, so people of all ages can grasp how they work.

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Visual Applications

• The Apple Vision Pro headset has added a third input method: your eyes. You can look at an icon in your field of vision and pinch your fingers together to let the OS know that you're selecting the item you’re looking at.

• It’s an incredible advancement in technology and one that will greatly impact how a wider variety of users, including users with disabilities, can interact with computers.

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ChromeOS

• A popular visual operating system that relies heavily on the browser is Google Chrome's operating system, ChromeOS, which is only for Chromebooks.

• To use a Chromebook and ChromeOS, you need a Google account and an Internet connection to sign in.

• Because it's a cloud-based operating system, it works best when connected to the Internet. It boots up faster than a traditional operating system because it doesn't have as much software to load. And its built-in security makes browsing the web safer.

• The Chromebook was first released for schools in 2011 as an affordable and secure system for students. While it's mostly found on laptops, ChromeOS can also be used on convertibles (laptops that can turn into tablets), tablets themselves, desktops, and all-in-one devices.

• The Chrome OS is a modified version of the Google Chrome web browser. Unlike other operating systems, Chrome OS is dependent on the Chrome web browser. Applications and extensions will need to be installed from the Google Chrome web store. The Chrome OS has improved over the years, to be a robust OS which can perform most tasks that you would accomplish with a traditional desktop OS.