Peter Norton
Operating System Basics
Chapter Outlines
• Basic Function of OP
• Types of Operating Systems
• Enhancing an OS
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Basic Functions of OS
• Displays the on-screen elements with which you interact—
the user interface.
• Loads programs (such as word processing and
spreadsheet programs) into the computer's memory so that
you can use them.
• Coordinates how programs work with the computer's
hardware and other software.
• Manages the way information is stored on, and retrieved
from disks.
Process Management, Memory Management, File Management, Device
Management, Security, Command Interpretation
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Types of Operating Systems
• Real Time OS
• Single User- Single Tasking OS
• Single User-Multi Tasking OS
• Multi User-Multi Tasking OS
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Types of OS (RTOS)
• A real-time operating system (RTOS) is an operating
system (OS) intended to serve real-time application
requests.
• It must be able to process data as it comes in,
typically without buffering delays.
• A common example of an RTOS is an HDTV receiver
and display. It needs to read a digital signal, decode
it and display it as the data comes in, Medical
equipment.
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Types of OS (RTOS) Cont…
• Real-time operating system
– Very fast small OS
– Built into a device
– Respond quickly to user input
– Example: MP3 players, Medical devices, Live
support equipment, HDTV receiver
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Types of OS (RTOS)
Some of the best known, most widely deployed, real-
time operating systems are:
• LynxOS
• OSE
• QNX
• RTLinux
• VxWorks
• Windows CE
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Single user/Single tasking OS
– One user works on the system
– Performs one task at a time
– Take up little space on disk
– Run on inexpensive computers
Example:
MS-DOS and Palm OS
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Single user/Multitasking OS
– User performs many tasks at once
– Most common form of OS
– Require expensive computers
– Tend to be complex
Example:
Windows XP and OS X
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Multi user/Multitasking OS
– Many users connect to one computer
– Each user has a unique session
– Maintenance can be easy
– Requires a powerful computer
Example:
UNIX, Linux, and VMS, MVS
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Functions of Operating Systems
• Provide a user interface
• Run programs
• Manage hardware devices and software
• Organized file storage
7A-11
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
1) Providing a User Interface
• User interface
– How a user interacts with a computer
– Require different skill sets
• Understanding Tabs, Mouse, Cursors, Dialogue Boxes,
Pop-up menus etc.
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Providing a User Interface
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Command Line User Interface
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Providing a User Interface
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
– Most common interface
• Windows, OS X, Gnome, KDE
– Uses a mouse to control objects
– Uses a desktop metaphor
– Shortcuts opening programs or documents
– Open documents have additional objects
– Task switching
– Dialog boxes allow directed input
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Graphical User Interface (Win 7)
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Graphical User Interface (Win 8)
Graphical User Interface (Osx)
Graphical User Interface (GNOME 3.12)
Graphical User Interface (GNOME 3.12)
GNOME is developed by The
GNOME Project
Composed of both volunteers
and paid contributors
The largest corporate
contributor being Red Hat
Open Source and Multi-
platform based
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Graphical User Interface (KDE)
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Providing a User Interface
• Command line interfaces
– Older interface
• DOS, Linux, UNIX
– User types commands at a prompt
– User must remember all commands
– Included in all GUIs
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Command Line Interface
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Command Line Interface(DOS)
Common DOS Commands: md, cd, cls, edit, alt, dir, copy, move, del…..
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
2) Running Programs
OS supports many different application
• OS provides for System Call
– In computing, a system call is how a program
requests a service from an operating system's
kernel that it does not normally have permission
to run.
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
2) Running Programs Cont…
• OS provides for System Call
– This may include hardware related services (e.g.
accessing the hard disk) and creating and
executing new processes.
– System calls provide an essential interface between
a process and the operating system.
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Running Programs
Other services:
• Saving the contents of files to a disk.
• Reading the contents of a file from disk into
memory.
• Sending a document to the printer and
activating the printer.
• Providing resources that let you copy or move
data from one document to another, or from one
program to another.
• Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Running Programs
Other services:
• Allocating RAM among the running programs.
• Recognizing keystrokes or mouse clicks and
displaying characters or graphics on the screen.
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Running Programs
• Share information between programs
– Copy and paste
– Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)
Example:
From “Paint” to “Word”
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
3) Managing Hardware
• Programs need to access hardware
– Interrupt request sent to CPU
– CPU is stopped
– Hardware device is accessed
– CPU retrieves the information
– CPU show it @ monitor
• Device drivers control the hardware
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Managing Hardware
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
4) Organizing Files and Folders
• Organized storage
• Long file names
• Folders can be created and nested
• All storage devices work consistently
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Organizing Files and Folders
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Utilities
– Provide services not included with OS
– Goes beyond the four functions
– May be Free or Paid or part of the OS
Category:
(Disk and File Management, Internet Security, OS
Customization Tools)
Examples:
– Backing up and compression
– Firewall/Intrusion Detection
– Anti-virus / Internet Security
– Screen-savers
– iTunes
– Disk Defrag Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Backup software
– Archives files onto removable media
– Ensures data integrity
– Most OS include a backup package
– Many third party packages exist
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Backup Software
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Anti-virus software
– Crucial utility
– Finds, blocks and removes viruses
– Often recovers lost data
– Must be updated regularly
– McAfee, Norton Anti-Virus, E-set, Panda,
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Anti-virus Vs Internet Security
– Antivirus is a class of software that detects and
cleans out virus infected files while Internet
Security is a suite of applications that aims to
protect users against threats from the internet
– Internet Security suites usually include an antivirus
application among other programs
– Internet security suites commonly includes a
firewall, anti malware, anti spyware, and email
protection.
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Anti-virus Vs Internet Security
– Internet Security suites often cost more than stand-
alone antivirus applications
– Internet Security requires more resources to run
and slows down old computers
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Firewall
– It looks at the Internet traffic going in and out of
your machine.
– You can instruct them to block certain traffic or
allow other kinds.
– Sometimes you can choose to do this automatically
without the firewall asking, and sometimes you can
choose to have the firewall ask you first before
blocking.
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Firewall (Hard Vs Soft)
– Hard– Built in a device (router)
– Soft– Programmed in a system (Utility)
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Intrusion detection
– Often part of a firewall package
– Announces attempts to breach security
– Creates Logs
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Antivirus Vs Firewall:
• Firewalls are used to limit incoming transmissions to
those that are least likely to contain bad data,
• while antivirus programs actually look at the effect
that the incoming data has on the system.
• Firewalls cannot be used to remove threats if they
happen to get past the firewall. Antivirus can be used
to do the same.
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Enhancing an OS
• Screen savers
– Crucial utility for command line systems
• Prevents burn-in of image (ghost image) in the monitor
– Merely fun for GUI systems
– Screen saver decorates idle screens
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Chapter Summery
• Basic Function of OS
– User Interface, Process Management, Memory Management, File
Management, Device Management, Security,
• Types of Operating Systems
– Real Time OS
– Single User- Single Tasking OS
– Single User-Multi Tasking OS
– Multi User-Multi Tasking OS
• Enhancing an OS
– Utilities (Back up Software, Firewall, Anti-virus / Internet Security,
Screen-savers)
Chapter 6 : Operating System Basics
Peter Norton
End of Chapter
PC Operating Systems
• Apple and Linux represent the other 5%
• MC OS
• Unix
• Linux
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Chapter 6B : Operating System Basics
PC Operating Systems
• Microsoft Windows- the most popular
– DOS (PC DOS, MS DOS)- 1980s
– Windows 3.x (3, 3.1 and 3.11)-1990
– Windows NT- 1993
– Windows 9x( 95, 98, ME)
– Windows 2000
– Windows XP
– Windows Vista
– Windows 7
– Windows 8
– Windows 8.1
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Chapter 6B : Operating System Basics
Network Operating System
• Designed to run on a Network server
• Fast and stable
• Multi-user and multitasking OS
• 32- or 64-bit
• Available Option;
– Windows NT Server, Windows 2000 Server, windows Sever
2003, Windows 2008 Sever,
– Mac OS X
– Novell Netware
– UNIX 7B-48
Chapter 6B : Operating System Basics
Embedded Operating Systems
• Devices have EOS built in
• Cell phones, PDAs, medical equipment
• Stable and fast
• Available Option:
– Windows XP
– Windows CE
– Palm OS
– Pocket PC
– Symbian
Chapter 6B : Operating System7B-49
Basics
