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OS Software Basics for Beginners

Operating system (OS) software is the most fundamental program that runs on a computer and acts as a link between the hardware and other software. Examples of widely used OS include versions of Windows, Linux, UNIX, Android, and iOS. The OS coordinates operations, manages memory and devices, provides error handling, and acts as a platform to host other applications. There are different types of OS, including single-user, multi-user, multi-tasking, and single-tasking, and user interfaces can be command line, menu-driven, or graphical. The OS is required for a computer to function, while application software provides specific tasks without a direct link to hardware.

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182 views3 pages

OS Software Basics for Beginners

Operating system (OS) software is the most fundamental program that runs on a computer and acts as a link between the hardware and other software. Examples of widely used OS include versions of Windows, Linux, UNIX, Android, and iOS. The OS coordinates operations, manages memory and devices, provides error handling, and acts as a platform to host other applications. There are different types of OS, including single-user, multi-user, multi-tasking, and single-tasking, and user interfaces can be command line, menu-driven, or graphical. The OS is required for a computer to function, while application software provides specific tasks without a direct link to hardware.

Uploaded by

wambui kabogo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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OPERATING SYSTEM (OS) SOFTWARE

Operating System (OS) Software


• Most fundamental program that runs on a computer.
• Works in the background
• Acts as a link between the hardware and other software.
• Platform that hosts other software that run on the computer
• Examples of O.S used in PCs include UNIX
LINUX,Windows95/98/2000/XP/NT/vista/7.0/8.0/10/13
• Examples of O.S used in smart phones and Tablets include Android O.S. ,Windows 8 ,
Symbian, IOS
Functions of Operating System Software
• Acts as a Communication link between user and hardware.
• It’s a Platform that hosts other software programs
• It Coordinates the operations of all parts of the computer system
• It Provides user with tools of disk & folder management
• Input Output handling: It Manages some peripheral devices
• Error Handling: It detects and reports system operation errors and in some cases suggest
how the errors will be resolved.
• Memory Management: It loads application programs from hard disk to primary memory
to be used in processing.
• Job scheduling:

Types of operating system Software

Single User Operating System


Designed for one user to use the computer at a time

Multi-User Operating System


Allows multiple users to simultaneously use the system

Multi tasking Operating System


Several applications may be simultaneously loaded and used in memory

Single Task Operating System


Only one application can be loaded at a time in the memory

User Interface
Command Line Interface (CLI)

Menu Driven Interface (MDI)

Graphical User Interface (GUI)


Differences between OS Software and Application Software

Operating System Software Application Software


Computer can’t function without it. Computer can function without it

Link between the hardware and the software. Task specific programs that don’t form a direct
link to hardware.

Works mainly in the background. Only works if opened by the user. User works
directly with it.

Acts as a host for other applications Not a host

FILE MANAGEMENT
Definition of terms
• File : A collection of information stored as a unit
• Folder : A directory that contains related files.
• Sub Folder : A directory that is contained inside a directory or folder.
• Drives : Disk storage media such as a Hard disk drive , CD –RW drive or Network Drive .
Files and Folders are stored in specific drives.

File and Folder Measurements

8 Bits ( 1 Byte ) One character

1024 Bytes (1 KB) One page of text

1024 KB ( 1 MB) Large file or a Small folder

1024 MB (1 GB) Size of a Drive e.g. a HDD of 80 GB

1024 GB (1 TB) Very large Drive

Characteristics of files
• Collection of data or Information stored as a unit under a single file name.
• All Files have icons next to them.
• Files that are created or can be opened by the same program have the same icon.
• Files are identified using a unique file name

• A file is made up of three parts:


– A unique File Name
– A period (.)
– A File extension
Eg Example of a File Name
Jane . docx

Naming Files and Folders


• Every File or Folder should be given a unique name.
• The naming process enables easy access of a specific file and is a way of organizing different
drives.
• A meaningful file or folder name should be used to help in easy searching and organization
of the files and folders in specific drives.

Organizing Files and Folders


• Files are stored in folders
• Files and Folders are stored in specific drives.
• Files, Folders and specific drives are assigned specific names.
• Drives are assigned letters from A-Z. The C drive on a computer is usually the Hard disk
drive.
• A drive is usually organized using Windows Explorer.

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