Chapter 5 - System Software
by AIN AFIQAH
System software is computer system that work with end users, application software, and computer hardware to handle all technical details in users’ computer. This includes operating system, utilities, device drivers and language translator. System software is not a single program but rather a collection of programs that handle hundreds technical tasks for the users. For operating system (OS) or also known as software environment, it coordinates tasks that relates with managing resources, provide user interface and runs applications. Examples of operating systems are Windows 10 and Mac OS X. Managing resources is where the system is coordinates recourse that include memory, processing, storage and the connection with other devices such as monitors, printers and speakers. It also monitors the computer performance and provide security from invaders.
Figure 1: types of OS
Operating system allows users to interact with the application through user interface. In this part, the system applies Graphical User Interface (GUI) that have been discussed in the previous portfolio. Next, operating system also manages functions like runs application. All operating systems need to have multitasking as the users need to use many applications in one time. They can apply foreground application for the window that they are using and the background for another window that is still running. There are also other features in operating system. The first feature is about booting the system where users is starting or restarting the computer. For warm boot, it happened when the computer is already on and the users restart it without turning off the power. The opposite booting happens when users starting the booting on the computer that have been turned off for a long time. Next features that every operating system have in common such as icons, pointer, menu, tabs, windows, dialog boxes and help option.
Figure 2: Run application
There are three basic categories for operating system. The first one is embedded operating system where most can be handheld such as smartphones, cable for TV tuner boxes and video game system. This operating system usually permanently stored on ROM or read-only memory chips. Next category is network operating system that is used to control linked computers. The most popular network operating system are Window Server, Unix and NetWare. Stand-alone operating systems is the last category for operating system where it controls a single desktop that are located in the computer hard disk. This category also called as client operating system where the desktop operating system works with the network’s NOS to share and coordinate resources.
Figure 3: Handheld Operating System
Utilities are specialized programs that help to make computing a lot more easier. This is because there are times when microcomputer have some problems like the internal hard disk crashed, computer freeze to a long time and the computer performance became slower. To prevent this from keep happening, every computer needs to have utilities that complete with the most essential functions. To get more powerful utilities, users can purchase it separately or in utility suite. Below are some of the essential utilities.
Diagnostic programs >> recognize and correct the problems, usually before they become severe.
Antivirus programs >> helps to guard the computer system against viruses or damaging programs that can invade your computer.
Uninstall programs >> allow users to safely and completely remove unneeded programs and related files from the hard disk.
Backup programs >> automatically or manually make copies of files to be used in case there are damages or lost of the original files.
File compression programs >> reduce the size of files so that it only use minimum storage space and so that it can be easily transferred on the internet.
Figure 4: Utilities
For Windows operating systems, they have another three extra utility programs that can be used to increase the microcomputer’s performance. The first one is Backup and Restore. This programs will make copies of all or selected files that have been saved in the computer’s hard disk. It is to prevent the files lost due to the hard disk failure. This program can be accessed by clicking on the Maintenance option. Disk Cleanup program is a troubleshooting utility that identify and eliminate nonessential files. It is very useful to free up some valuable space and to improve system performance.
For your information, files are stored and organized on a disk according to its sectors and tracks. Disk have many layers of tracks and when we divides it to several parts, that wedges shaped section is called sectors. However, problems occurs when files are broken up into smaller part or called as fragmented in order to occupies small empty spaces. As the disk contain many fragmented files, this will make the disk became highly fragmented thus slowing down the computer performance. In order to fix this problem, Disk Defragmenter must be used. It function is to identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments and rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize operations. It is very efficient because it can speed up file access.
Figure 5: Windows Utilities
Therefore utilities is very important to ensure the high performance of users’ computer. However, to purchase each utilities can be a pain on the neck, so users can purchase it from the utilities suite since it is cheaper and have a collection of several programs in one package. Most popular suites are Norton 360, McAfee Office and V Communications System Suite.
SOURCE
- Computing essentials 2013 (making IT work for you) written by Timothy J. O’Leary and Linda I. O’Leary.
- Pictures from Google Image
- Lecturer’s Slide