software

COMPUTER SYSTEM COMPONENTS

  • Hardware: Processor, Motherboard, Peripherals, RAM, Storage

  • Software: Application Programs, Operating Systems, Firmware

  • Peopleware: Programmers, Technicians, System Architects, DBAs, End Users

OPERATING SYSTEM (OS)

  • Definition: A collection of system programs for managing computer resources and activities.

  • Functions: Interfaces between user and hardware, loads executable programs into memory, executes instructions, communicates results.

  • Examples: MS-DOS, Windows (7, 8, 10), Unix, Mac OS (Monterey, Catalina), Linux (Ubuntu, Debian), Android, iOS.

HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF OS DEVELOPMENT

  • 1954: MIT develops Tape Director for UNIVAC 1103

  • 1966: IBM develops DOS

  • 1977: Berkley develops open source Unix variant (BSD)

  • 1969: UNIX is developed by Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie at AT&T

  • 1984: Macintosh Mac OS created by Apple

  • 1991: Linus Torvalds develops Linux

  • 2007: Apple introduces iOS for mobile platforms, Google develops Android based on Linux.

COMPONENTS OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM

  • Kernel: Manages resources and controls hardware/software activities.

  • Interface: Allows user interaction with OS, enabling command input via keyboard/mouse and output display via monitor.

FUNCTIONS OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM

  • Manages physical resources and peripherals; IO operations.

  • Controls data storage on external memory.

  • Oversees application loading, execution, and error handling.

  • Develops environment for new application development.

  • Manages user accounts and system status interfaces.

SPECIFIC CONCEPTS

  • Multitasking: Ability to run multiple applications simultaneously.

  • Multiuser: Supports simultaneous access by multiple users.

  • GUIs vs. CLIs:

    • GUI: Graphical User Interface for user interaction.

    • CLI: Command Line Interface for textual commands.

  • Driver: Software allowing OS to communicate with hardware.

    • Plug and Play: Automatically configures hardware when connected.

  • Virtualization: Running multiple OS on one hardware platform.

  • Virtual Memory: Uses hard disk as an extension of RAM.

SYSTEM BOOTING PROCESS

  1. Computer powers on, and BIOS is loaded.

  2. BIOS executes code from the Master Boot Record (MBR).

  3. Boot manager is loaded from the active partition, and OS is eventually loaded into memory.

WINDOWS 10 INTERFACE ELEMENTS

  • Desktop: Main working area.

  • Taskbar: Start button, quick launch, notification area.

  • Windows: areas where applications run, including title bars and control buttons.

WINDOWS UTILITIES

  • File Explorer: File management.

  • Task Manager: Monitor applications and system performance.

  • Control Panel: Advanced system settings.

  • Settings: General configuration options.

  • Windows Defender: Antivirus protection.

  • Command Prompt: Text-based command operations.

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

  • Ctrl + X: Cut selected item.

  • Ctrl + C: Copy selected item.

  • Ctrl + V: Paste copied item.

  • Alt + Tab: Switch between open applications.

COMMAND LINE INTERFACE (CLI)

  • Access to system management through textual command entries without graphical elements.

BATCH FILES

  • Script files ending in .bat that execute a series of DOS commands.

CONTROL PANEL & SYSTEM TOOLS

  • Elements: System and Security, Network and Internet settings, Hardware and Sound configurations, User Accounts.

WINDOWS REGISTRY (REGEDIT)

  • Hierarchical database storing low-level settings and configuration options for OS and applications.

WINDOWS POWERSHELL

  • Command-line shell for task automation and system configuration, supports scripting and automation of system administration tasks.

GROUP POLICY EDITOR (GPEDIT.MSC)

  • Allows administrative control over user and system settings, including application access restrictions and user interface customizations.

USER APPLICATIONS

  • Types of licenses: Freeware, Shareware, Open Source, Commercial.

  • Categories: Antivirus, File Managers, Office Software, Multimedia, Networking.

USEFUL APPLICATIONS & SITES

  • Apps: Microsoft PowerToys, Dropbox, TeamViewer.

  • Download websites: Softonic, Softpedia, CNET, FileHippo.