Lesson 1

Computers and Operating Systems

Computer Literacy
BASICS: A
Comprehensive Guide
to IC3, 5th Edition

1 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo

 About the Presentations
 The presentations cover the objectives found in
the opening of each lesson.
Lesson 1

 All lesson objectives are listed in the beginning

of each presentation.
 You may customize the presentations to fit your
class needs.
 Some figures from the lessons are included. A
complete set of images from the book can be
found on the Instructor Resources disc.

2 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Objectives
 Describe the importance of computers in daily life.
Lesson 1

 Explain the difference between system software and

application software.
 Describe the four major types of operating systems.
 Identify the tasks an operating system performs.
 Start a computer.
 Use an operating system and start an application.
 Lock and shut down a computer.

3 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Words to Know
 application software  embedded
operating system
Lesson 1

 boot process
 buffer  graphical user
 command-line interface interface (GUI)
 data
 hardware
 driver
 icon
 information
processing cycle

4 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Words to Know (continued)
 multiuser operating  server operating
system system
Lesson 1

 open-source software  software

 operating system  swapping
 random access  system software
memory (RAM)  utility program
 virtual memory

5 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Understanding the Importance of
Computers
 Computers are everywhere.
Lesson 1

 Computers are used in your cell phone, in

ATMs, in your home thermostat, and in your
car’s cruise control.
 Computers assist you in most parts of your
daily life and play a central role in worldwide
communications, entertainment, education,
commerce, and other business activities.

6 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Understanding the Importance of
Computers (continued)
 Computers have been around since the late
1940s.
Lesson 1

 Then, they were massive, special-purpose

machines with names such as UNIVAC and
ENIAC and were designed for use by the
military and government.
 They took hours to complete a calculation,
occupied small buildings or entire city blocks,
and cost millions of dollars.
7 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E
 Understanding the Importance of
Computers (continued)
 Today’s smartphones have more processing
power than a UNIVAC, cost less than any of
Lesson 1

its components, and fit in the palm of your

hand.
 The future promises innovations such as
wearable computers, using human thought
as input, and computer-controlled, micro-
controlled robots that treat and possibly cure
cancer.

8 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Understanding the Importance of
Computers (continued)
 Understanding what a computer is and how it
works can help you appreciate and use it
Lesson 1

more effectively.
 A computer is an electronic device that
receives data (input), processes data, stores
data, and produces a result (output).
 Data is a collection of raw unprocessed
facts, including text, numbers, sound,
images, and video.
9 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E
 Understanding the Importance of
Computers (continued)

 The actual machine—wires, transistors, and

circuits—is called hardware.
Lesson 1

 Software consists of instructions or programs for

controlling the computer.
 Data is text, numbers, sound, images, or video.
 The computer receives data through an input
device, processes the data, produces the output
information on an output device, and stores the
information on a storage device.

10 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Understanding the Importance of
Computers (continued)

 The input and output devices, such as

Lesson 1

keyboards and monitors, are types of hardware

called peripherals.
 Data transformed into meaningful form becomes
information.

11 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Understanding the Importance of
Computers (continued)

 Input, processing, output, and storage (IPOS) is

Lesson 1

called the information processing cycle.

12 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Understanding the Importance of
Computers (continued)
 Computer Literacy
To be computer literate means that you can use today’s
Lesson 1


computers efficiently to enhance your life and the lives of
those around you.
 Computer literacy also means you understand a wide
range of information about current technology and how it
is used to solve problems.
 A digital divide is an economic gap between those who
are computer literate and have access to computer
technology, and those who do not.

13 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Software
 Software provides the
means for you to interact
Lesson 1

with the computer’s

hardware.
 A graphical user
interface (GUI) displays
pictures called icons
that allow you to interact
with data and execute
commands.

14 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Software (continued)

 Some software uses a command-line

Lesson 1

interface, which requires you to type text

commands to interact with the computer.

15 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Software (continued)

 System Software and Application Software

Lesson 1

 A computer relies on two types of software:

system software and application software.
 System software runs a computer and includes
the operating system and utility programs.
– An operating system is software that coordinates the
resources and activities on a computer.
– A utility program helps the operating system set up,
maintain, and protect a computer.

16 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Software (continued)

 System Software and Application Software

(continued)
Lesson 1

 Application software is the software used to

directly complete a specific task or to create
something electronically.
 Application software helps you perform tasks
such as writing a report, creating a video, viewing
a Web page, or sending photos to a friend.

17 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Software (continued)

 System Software
Lesson 1

and Application
Software (continued)

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 Types of Operating Systems

 Operating systems fall into four major

Lesson 1

categories depending on the type of device

for which they are designed:
– Personal computers
– Mobile computing devices
– Servers
– Devices other than computers

19 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)
 Personal Computer Operating Systems
Lesson 1

 Personal or desktop operating systems are installed on

a single computer and are called single-user operating
systems because one user interacts with the operating
system at a time.
 They are multitasking operating systems, which means
they let you work with more than one program at a time.
 The three most popular personal computer operating
systems are Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

20 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)
 Personal Computer Operating Systems (continued)
Lesson 1

 Windows XP (2001) and Windows 7 (2009) were both

widely used Windows versions. Windows 8 (2012) is the
most recent version of Windows.
 Windows became widespread because it ran on
inexpensive personal computers created by a variety of
computer manufacturers.
 Windows is easy to use and to personalize, and it runs
more types of applications than other operating
systems.

21 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)

 Personal Computer Operating Systems

(continued)
Lesson 1

 Mac OS runs only on Apple Macintosh computers.

 Mac OS X is the current version of the operating
system.
 Mac OS set the standard for GUI operating
systems and is liked by its users for being a very
secure, reliable, and easy-to-maintain operating
system.

22 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)
 Personal Computer Operating Systems (continued)
Lesson 1

 Linux is a personal computer operating system related to

UNIX, which is an operating system developed in the late
1960s that is frequently used by scientists and
programmers.
 Linux is released to the public as open-source software,
meaning anyone can use, modify, and distribute it.
 Linux is available in versions called distributions, including
commercial and noncommercial distributions.

23 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)
 Mobile Operating Systems
A mobile operating system is designed for small handheld
Lesson 1


computing devices.
 It includes features similar to a personal operating system
but is simpler and smaller.
 A smartphone is a cell phone that includes many
features of a computer.
 Tablets are one-piece mobile computers that usually
include a touchscreen, which is a screen you touch to
interact with the GUI.

24 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)
 Mobile Operating Systems (continued)
iOS is a version of Mac OS X written for Apple’s mobile
Lesson 1


devices, including iPhones and iPads.
 Google’s Android is an open-source operating system
designed to run on many types of smartphones and
tablets, and is derived from Linux.
 Windows Phone and Windows RT are similar to
Windows 8.
 Mobile operating systems primarily work as single-user,
single-tasking operating systems.

25 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)
 Embedded Operating
Systems
Lesson 1

 Embedded operating
systems run devices such as
ATMs, navigation systems,
portable media players, and
digital recorders.
 They are designed to meet a
specific purpose and perform a
single task, such as providing
maps and directions.

26 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)
 Server Operating Systems
 A server operating system
Lesson 1

resides on a server and is

used to manage a network
(a group of two or more
computers linked together).
 A server is a computer that
provides network services
such as e-mail to other
computers, or clients.

27 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)
 Server Operating Systems (continued)
Server operating systems are sometimes called network
Lesson 1


operating systems.
 Each client on a network has its own personal operating
system.
 The server operating system manages the requests for
services from the client computers.
 An expert called the network administrator uses the
server operating system to manage the network and its
users.

28 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Types of Operating Systems
(continued)

 Server Operating Systems (continued)

Lesson 1

 Server operating systems are multiuser operating

systems because they allow many users to run
programs and use the server’s resources at the
same time.
 Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and UNIX all have
server versions of their operating systems.
 UNIX is used for many servers that handle
e-mail and Internet access.

29 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Operating System Tasks

 The operating system controls your computer

Lesson 1

from the time you turn on the power to the

time you turn it off.
 It takes care of technical tasks such as start-
up steps, managing memory, processing
input and output, controlling hardware, and
ending a computer session.

30 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Operating System Tasks
(continued)
 Completing Start-Up Steps
Lesson 1

 The boot process is a series of steps the operating

system must complete before you can interact with
the operating system.

31 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Operating System Tasks
(continued)

 Managing Memory
Lesson 1

 After starting up, the operating system

manages computer resources.
 A resource is any component the system
requires to do work.
 The main resources are memory, processing
components, storage space, and peripherals.

32 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Operating System Tasks
(continued)

 Managing Memory (continued)

Lesson 1

 The operating system manages random

access memory (RAM) efficiently.
 All programs need space in RAM to run.
 When you start an application, the operating
system allocates RAM to the program. When
you close the application, the operating
system reclaims the RAM.
33 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E
 Operating System Tasks
(continued)

 Managing Memory (continued)

Lesson 1

 If you run too many applications at a time, the

computer can run out of RAM.
 In that case, the operating system might close an
application or shut down the computer
unexpectedly (called a crash).
 Operating systems can take advantage of virtual
memory, a part of a computer’s hard disk that can
work as additional RAM.

34 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Operating System Tasks
(continued)
 Managing Memory (continued)
Lesson 1

 To gain memory, Windows moves data from one

running application out of RAM and into virtual
memory, a process called swapping.

35 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Operating System Tasks
(continued)
 Processing Input and Output
 Another major task of the operating system is processing input
Lesson 1

and output.
 Often, the operating system must handle many input and
output tasks at the same time.
 To keep your computer running smoothly, the operating
system sets a sequence for processing input and output tasks.
 The operating system places data into a buffer, which is part
of memory or storage where data waits until it can be
transferred to a device.

36 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Operating System Tasks
(continued)
 Controlling Hardware
The operating system considers every hardware device
Lesson 1


connected to the computer as an input or output device.
 The operating system communicates with a driver (aka
device driver), which is a small program that enables
the operating system to interact with the device.
 Each device must have a driver and is typically
provided by the device manufacturer.

37 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Operating System Tasks
(continued)
 Controlling Hardware (continued)
Lesson 1

 The operating system includes drivers for

common devices.
 When you install new hardware, the operating
system searches for the correct driver and installs
it so you can use the new hardware right away.
This feature is called Plug and Play.

38 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Operating System Tasks
(continued)
 Ending a
Computer
Lesson 1

Session
 When you end a
session, the
operating system
takes care of the
tasks to shut
down, restart, sign
out, switch users,
or lock the
computer.
39 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E
 Operating System Tasks
(continued)
 Ending a Computer
Session (continued)
Lesson 1

 To shut down a
computer (aka log off),
the operating system
follows a series of steps:
– Checks users
– Closes applications
– Closes system software
– Turns off the power

40 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Summary

In this lesson, you learned:

Lesson 1

 A computer is an electronic device that

receives data (input), processes data, stores
data, and produces a result (output).
 A computer includes hardware (physical
equipment such as wires and circuits) and
software (instructions or programs for
controlling the computer).

41 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Summary (continued)

 To keep up with the changes in computer

Lesson 1

technology, you need to be computer literate,

which means that you can use today’s
computer hardware and software efficiently
to enhance your life and the lives of those
around you.

42 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Summary (continued)

 You interact with software through its user

interface, which allows you to enter and receive
Lesson 1

information.
 Most contemporary software has a graphical user
interface (GUI), which uses icons and other
graphics to accept data and commands.
 Other software uses a command-line interface,
which requires you to type text commands to
interact with the computer.

43 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Summary (continued)

 A computer runs two main types of software:

Lesson 1

system software and application software.

 System software is the software that runs a
computer, and includes the operating system
and utility programs.
 A utility program helps the operating system
set up, maintain, and protect a computer.

44 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Summary (continued)

 An operating system is software that

Lesson 1

coordinates the resources and activities on a

computer.
 Application software is software you use to
carry out your work or personal tasks.

45 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Summary (continued)
 Personal computer operating systems run on
personal computers.
Lesson 1

 Mobile operating systems are designed for handheld

computers such as tablets and smartphones.
 Embedded operating systems are part of an
electronic device or system other than a computer.
Server operating systems run servers, which are the
computers that coordinate networks.

46 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Summary (continued)
 Single-user, single-tasking operating systems let only
one user perform a single task at one time. Most mobile
Lesson 1

and embedded operating systems fall into this category.

 Single-user multitasking operating systems let one user
run many programs at the same time, and include all
personal computer operating systems.
 Multiuser operating systems, such as server operating
systems, let many users run programs and take
advantage of the computer’s resources at the same
time.
47 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E
 Summary (continued)

 The technical tasks an operating system

Lesson 1

performs include completing start-up steps,

managing memory, processing input and output,
controlling hardware, and ending a computer
session.
 The boot process is a series of steps the
computer and operating system must complete
before you can interact with the operating
system.
48 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E
 Summary (continued)

 The resources an operating system manages

Lesson 1

include memory (RAM), processing

components, storage space, and peripheral
devices.
 To supplement RAM, operating systems take
advantage of virtual memory, which is part of
a computer’s storage space that can work as
additional memory.

49 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Summary (continued)

 To keep your computer running smoothly, the

operating system sets a sequence for processing
Lesson 1

input and output tasks and uses buffers, which

are parts of memory or storage where data waits
until it can be transferred to a device.
 To control a hardware resource, the operating
system communicates with a device driver, a
small program that tells the operating system how
to interact with the device.

50 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E

 Summary (continued)

 A personal operating system needs to know when

you’re finished working with a computer so it can
Lesson 1

protect itself and other software, and keep your

information private while you are away.
 Although you select an option to end a session,
the operating system takes care of the tasks,
which range from shutting down, to restarting,
signing out (also called logging off), switching
users, and locking the computer.

51 Morrison / Wells / Ruffolo CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 5E