Operating Systems and User Interfaces

Define operating systems

A collection of programs that manages and controls the computer

Name three functions of an operating system

-controlling hardware components

• providing a platform for software to run on

• providing a user interface

• multitasking facilities

• managing the computer's memory

• managing peripherals

• managing files

• managing users

Name an example of an operating system

• Microsoft Windows

• Apple OS X

• Linux

• Android

• IOS

Define an user interface

A program or suite of programs that allows a user to interact with a computer

What are the three types of User Interfaces

-GUI (Graphical User Interface) or WIMPS (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers)

-Mobile UI (Mobile user interface)

-CLI (Command Line Interface)

What are the characteristics of a Graphical User Interface

-Feature a desktop menu

-Applications run in windows

-Apps, files and hardware are displayed as icons

-Users interact with a mouse or pointer

-GUIs are powerful and easy to use but require a lot of processing power

How are GUIs and Mobile UIs different?

-Mobile UIs respond to touch

-Fingers are used to open programs

-Gestures such as swiping and pinching are used as well

How are CLIs based?

They are text based

What are the characteristics of CLIs?

-They require little processing power but are extremely powerful

-They are difficult to use

-Mainly CLIs exist within operating systems