CHAPTER 6 – SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Systems software consists of the “background” programs that allow your computer to start up and operate. They enable application software to run, and
facilitate such important jobs as transferring files from one storage medium to another, configuring your computer system to work with a specific brand
of printer or monitor, managing files on your hard drive, and protecting your computer system from unauthorized one.
System Software includes the Operating System and all the utilities that enable the computer to function.
System software is a term referring to any computer software which manages and controls the hardware so that application software can perform a
task.
Example:
Operating Systems, Compiler, Loader, Linker, Interpreter
Operating System:
Operating System is a software, which makes a computer to actually work.
It is the software the enables all the programs we use.
The OS organizes and controls the hardware.
OS acts as an interface between the application programs and the machine hardware.
Examples: Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac OS, etc
Compiler: A compiler is a program that reads a program in one language – the source language and translates into an equivalent program in another
language – the target language.
Linker: A linker or link editor is a program that takes one or more objects generated by compilers and assembles them into a single executable program.
Linkers can take objects from a collection called a library. The objects are program modules containing machine code and information for the linker.
The linker takes care of arranging the objects in a program's address space.
Interpreter: An interpreter is a computer program that translates and executes instructions written in a computer programming language line-by-line,
unit by unit etc.,
An interpreter needs to be able to analyze, or parse, instructions written in the source language. Example: Lisp systems, etc.,

Operating System
Manages the computer system. Provides file task and job management. All application programs “talk to” the operating system. Examples are Windows,
Mac OS X, Unix and Linux
Driver
Software that supports a peripheral device, such as a display adapter or DVD drive. The driver contains the detailed machine language necessary to
activate all functions in the device. The operating system commands the driver, which in turn commands the hardware device.
Bios ( Basic input/Output System)
In a PC, a set of software routines built into a chip that boots the machine and serves as an interface between the drivers and the peripheral devices.
TP Monitor

Mainframe/midrange program that distributes input from multiple terminals to the appropriate application. This function is also provided in LAN operating
systems. CICS is widely used in IBM mainframes and tuxedo and Encina are widely used in Unix systems.

Network Operating System

Manage traffic and security between clients and servers in a network. Example are Windows, Unix, Linux and Netware.

Communications Protocol

Set of rules, formats and functions for sending data across the network. There are many protocol layers starting at the top application layer to the
bottom physical layer. The most popular transport protocol, which manages the delivery of packets is
TCPAP. The most popular data link protocol (access method) which transmits packets from point to point is Ethernet.

Messaging Protocol

Set of rules, formats and functions for sending, storing and forwarding e-mail in a network. The major messaging protocol is the Internet’s SMTP. Earlier
protocols were SNADS, MHS, X 400, cc:Mail and Microsoft Mail.

Database Management System (DBMS)

Manages the storage, retrieval, security and integrity of the database. A DBMS may provide interactive data entry, updating, query and reporting or rely
entirely on the application program for such functions. The DBMS may reside in a mainframe or in a file server in client/server architecture. Most DBMSs
support the SQL language and many include a complete programming language for application development.

Programming Language

Translate source language into machine language using assemblers, compliers, interpreters and application generators.
Examples of programming languages are assembly language, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java, Perl, Python, FORTRAN and COBOL.

Application Software provides the tools that allow a user to perform certain specific tasks on a PC, such as writing a letter, preparing an invoice, viewing
a Web Page, listening to an MP3 file and so forth.
Application Software includes programs that do real work for user.
Example: Payroll systems, Inventory Control, Manage student database, Word Processor, Spreadsheet and Database Management System etc.,
Word Processors:
Word processing is a tool that helps user in creating, editing, and printing documents.
Examples: WordPerfect and Microsoft Word
Graphic Presentations: The presentation programs can make giving presentations and using overheads easier.
The most recognized graphic presentation programs are Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics
Database Management System (DBMS):
A DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple users to store, access, and process data into useful information.
Example: Microsoft Access, dBASE, Oracle.
Application Software
These four programs may be stand alone or part of an application suite.
• Word processing - Create and edit rext files. Replace all typewriter functions. Some programs provide rudimentary desktop publishing.
• Database - Create and edit data records. Interactive editing of data. Ask questions, summarize, sort and print reports.
• Spreadsheets - Create and edit rows and columns of numbers for budgets and financials and “what if “analysis. Multidimensional spreadsheets provide
different slices, or views, of data quickly. Advanced financial planning systems provide goal seeking as well as statistical calculations.
• Web Browser “Surf the Web” - access the largest body of information in the world, shop online and be entertained.

E-mail Client
Send and receive e-mail messages through a separate client program that typically has more features than e-mail via the Web browser

Media Player
• Play back MP3, WMA, AAC and other audio formats
• Play back WMV, MPEG and other video formats
PIM ( Personal Information Manager)
Organize random information for fast retrieval, includes such features as a telephone list with automatic dialing, calendar, scheduling and ticketing.

Project Management
Keep track of a project and determine the impact of changes. The “critical path” is computed, which monitors all tasks that will slow down the entire
project if delayed.

CAD (vector graphics)

Create drawings for illustration and industrial design

Imaging ( Raster graphics)

Scan documents and paint pictures into TV-like images

Diagramming Program
Create drawings of interconnected symbols, such as network diagrams and organization charts. When symbols are moved, the lines stay connected.

Contact Manager
Keep track of prospects, names, addresses, appointments. Similar to a PIM but specialized for sales activities.

Mathematical
Create, run and print complex mathematical equations

Scientific
Analyze real-world events by simulating them on high-speed computers or supercomputers.

Multimedia (Games and Education)

Multimedia adds graphics, sound and video for interactive games, encyclopedias and other references and educational courseware of all kinds.

Desktop Publishing
Merge text and graphics and provide complete control over page layout for printing. More advance for layout than word processing programs.

Vertical Markets
Data entry, query, update and report programs tailored to an industry such as banking or insurance. Either off-the-shelf or custom programmed, vertical
market software is the most specialized type of application.

OPERATING SYSTEM
The main piece of systems software that enables the computer to manage its activities and the resources under its control, run application programs and
interface with the user. The operating system acts as a gateway between the user and his or her computer, as well as between application programs
and the computer system’s hardware. The primary chores of an operating system are management and control.
Differences among Operating Systems
Distinctions between operating systems include the type of user interface, whether the operating system is targeted to personal or network use, and
what type of processing and CPU the operating system is designed for.
• COMMAND LINE INTERFACE - commands are typed on the keyboard to give instructions to the computer.
• GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE - allows the user to issue commands by selecting icons, buttons, menu items, and other graphical objects with a mouse
or other pointing device.
FUNCTIONS OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM
Booting up the computer and Configuring the devices
1. Boot
2. Memory is loaded to the kernel
3. Configuring attached hardware devices
When a computer hardware must communicate with input or output hardware the operating system works through a program known as a device driver.
With a true plug-and-play operating system, the operating system is able to automatically recognize and work with any device plugged currently into it.

Interfacing with Users

Is to translate user instructions into a form the computer understands. In the other direction, it translates any feedback from the hardware such as a
signal that the printer has run out of paper.
Two ways to command a computer is through the command line and graphical user interface.
Managing Resources and jobs
Operating system generally monitors proper use of storage and availability of hardware. Thus, the operating system is in charge of managing system
resources and making them available to devices and programs when needed.
There are methods that allow a computer to process a number of jobs at more or less the same time such as multitasking and multiprocessing.
Monitoring activities
Operating system is overseeing activities while processing is underway. Operating system may terminate any program that performs an illegal operation
or demands more memory than is available.
Users and system administrators need to know information such as how much hard-drive space is used up, how much memory is free and how response
time changes as more network users try to access the same resources. Programs called performance monitors keep track of such activities.
File management
Allowing a user to organize a disk and keeping track of files stored there. To simplify the management, operating systems commonly organize the files
on a disk or hard drive hierarchically into folders or directories.
SECURITY
A computer’s operating system can protect against unauthorized access by using passwords. Through this, access is protected by some type of log-on or
password procedures.

Common Operating System for Desktop and PC’s server

DOS (Disk Operating System)
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market
between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95,98, and Millennium Edition.
Related systems include MS-DOS, PC-DOS, DR-DOS, FreeDOS, PTS-DOS, ROM-DOS, Caldera DOS, Novell DOS and several others.
MICROSOFT WINDOWS
Microsoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft.

WINDOWS 3.0 & 3.1

Windows 3.0 (1990) and Windows 3.1 (1992) improved the design, mostly because of virtual memory and loadable virtual device drivers (VxDs) that
allowed them to share arbitrary devices between multitasked DOS windows.
WINDOWS 95 & 98
Windows 95 was released in August 1995, featuring a new user interface, support for long file names of up to 255 characters, and the ability to
automatically detect and configure installed hardware (plug and play). It could natively run 32-bit applications, and featured several technological
improvements that increased its stability over Windows 3.1.
WINDOWS NT
The NT family of Windows systems was fashioned and marketed for higher reliability business use.
WINDOWS ME
Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows Me (pronounced as an abbreviation, /ˌɛm ˈiː/ em-ee), is a graphical operating system released on September
14, 2000 by Microsoft. Support for Windows Me ended on July 11, 2006.
Windows Me was the successor to Windows 98 and, just like Windows 98, was targeted specifically at home PC users. It included Internet Explorer 5.5,
Windows Media Player 7, and the new Windows Movie Maker software, which provided basic video editing and was designed to be easy for home users.
WINDOWS 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers.
WINDOWS xp
Windows XP is an operating system that was produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, and
media centers.
WINDOWS vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business
desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs.
WINDOWS 2007
Windows 7 is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including
home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and media center PCs.
MAC operating system
Mac OS is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) for their Macintosh line
of computer systems.
LINUX operating system
Linux (commonly pronounced /ˈlɪnəks/ LIN-əks in American English, also pronounced /ˈlɪnʊks/ LIN-ooks in Europe) refers to the family of Unix-like
computer operating systems using the Linux kernel. Linux can be installed on a wide variety of computer hardware, ranging from mobile phones, tablet
computers and video game consoles, to mainframes and supercomputers.
OS WARP
OS/2 is a computer operating system, initially created by Microsoft and IBM, then later developed by IBM exclusively. The name stands for "Operating
System/2," because it was introduced as part of the same generation change release as IBM's "Personal System/2 (PS/2)" line of second-generation
personal computers.
Other Operating Systems
Alternative PC Operating Systems
There are a variety of operating systems that can be used as an alternative to the operating systems. Two of the more common are BeOS and Solaris.
• BeOS is an operating system designed by a company called Be, Inc. Similar to Linux, the Personal Edition of BeOS is free to download via the Internet.
- BeOs can run on both Intel and PowerPc platforms, is geared toward multimedia applications, supports multiple processors, and is reputed to be faster
and more crash-proof than other desktop operating system.
• Solaris is an operating system designed for Sun computers.
- The Solaris operating system can run on desktop systems and servers, as well as even on some supercomputers.
Operating Systems for Mobile Devices
For handheld PCs, the two most common operating systems are mobile versions of Windows and the Palm OS operating system. Web-enabled phones,
pagers, and similar devices may use a proprietary operating system designed solely for that device instead. In many of the smaller devices, the
operating is embedded into the device using flash RAM chips or similar hardware.
Mobile and Embedded Versions of Windows
There are both mobile and embedded versions of Windows targeted for handheld PCs, smart phones, and other wireless devices. These versions of
Windows have the look and feel of the larger desktop versions of Windows, and typically support handwriting recognition and such Internet components
as e-mail and Web browsing. The most common mobile version of Windows is Windows CE (for compact edition).
Palm OS
Palm OS is the operating system designed for Palm handheld devices. It is also used by Palm-compatible devices, such as the Handspring Visor. The
philosophy behind the Palm OS was to design an operating system specifically for information management on mobile devices, instead of trying to
convert an r\entire desktop operating system into a smaller package.
EPOC and the Symbian Platform
A third contender in the mobile device operating system arena is EPOC, an operating system developed by a company called Psion. Psion joined with
such mobile phone companies as Nokia and Ericsson to form the Symbian Company to promote EPOC and Symbian platform as the new industry
standard for mobile devices, particularly smart phones. The Symbian platform uses a multithreaded, multitasking operating system, and has several
different versions, such as one for keyboard-based devices, one for keyboardless devices, and one for smart phones.

Operating System for Internet Appliances

Some Internet appliances run a standard desktop or mobile operating system, such as Windows CE. Others use a special embedded operating system,
such as QNX. Still others use a special proprietary operating system created just for the device.
Operating System for Larger Computers
Larger computer systems often use operating systems designed solely for that type of system.

MYTHS ABOUT OPERATING SYSTEMS

MYTH 1: ONE COMPUTER CAN HAVE ONLY ONE OPERATING SYSTEM
MYTH 2: IT IS DIFFICULT TO CHANGE OR UPGRADE THE OPERATION SYSTEM
MYTH 3: IF YOU DON’T USE WINDOWS, YOU CAN’T FIND SOFTWARE

ULTILITY PROGRAMS
Utility Program - A program that performs some frequently encountered operation in a computer system, usually related to managing the computer’s
resources. Extend the capability of a computer’s system software
• Antivirus Programs - Protects your computer from virus attack.
• Data compression utilities- Enable application software to work on a specific configuration of hardware
• Device Drivers- Enable problems with your computer system to be identified and corrected
• Diagnostic software- Enables problems with your computer system to be identified and corrected
• Disk Optimizers- Rearrange the files on a disk for faster access
• Disk toolkits- Recover and repair damaged or lost files
• Encryption programs- Encrypt files or e-mail messages for secure passage over a network “Cipherhetxt”
• Find or search utilities- enable you to find a lost file on your system by typing in part of its name or by typing in short strings of text known to be
contained in the file
• File viewers- Make It easy to view files without opening the applications in which they were created
• Internet utilities- Enable you to more easily locate and keep track of resources on the internet, censor downloaded content, keep track of connect time,
and so forth
• Performance monitors- Tell how efficiently your computer system is performing its work
• Screen-capture programs- Enable you to take a picture of the screen and store it as an image.
• Uninstallers- Remove applications programs, including all files and directories and any references to them
• Diagnostic Programs- deal primarily with diagnosing and repairing disk-related problems, such as recovering damaged or erased files, repairing
damaged directories, and recovering from a disk crash (a crippling failure of the disk itself).
• Disk Defragmentation Programs (Disc Optimizers) - Rearrange data and programs on the hard drive so that they can be accessed faster.
DEFRAGMENTATION- when a defragmentation utility is run, the files and unused space on the disk are rearranged with all pieces of a files located in
adjacent clusters and the unused space in adjacent clusters.
FRAGMENTATION- As files and folders are stored, modified, and deleted on the disk, it becomes increasingly difficult to store files in adjacent clusters.
Consequently, large files must be broken up and the disk becomes more and more fragmented, decreasing the speed of the disk.