HARDWARE and SOFTWARE

• Hardware: The physical components of the

computer are known as ―Hardware. It refers
to the objects that we can actually touch.
• Ex: input and output devices, processors,
circuits and the cables.
 Software
• A Set of instructions given to the computer to
solve a problem is called Software.
• Also called Program.
• A computer works according to the
instructions written in the software.
• A computer cannot perform any task without
software.
 Types of Software
• Two main types:
– System Software
– Application SoftwareSoftware

System Application
Software Software

Operating Utility Device Language Packaged Customize

System Programs Driver Processor Software d Software
 System Software
– A set of programs to control and manage the actual operations of
the computer hardware.
– It controls the usage and allocation of different hardware
components.
– It enables application programs to execute properly.
– It controls the basic operations as follows:
• Saving data on disk
• Making computer to work for us
• Printing a document etc.
– Types of System Software:
1. Operating System
2. Utility Programs
3. Device Driver
4. Language Processor
 Types of System Software
• Operating System (OS):
• An operating system is a set of
Computer
programs that manages all the
computer components and operations.
• It is most important software that runs
Operating
on a computer. A computer cannot do System
anything without an operating system.
It must be installed on every computer.
• It acts as an interface between the Computer
computer user and the hardware. The
user interact with the computer
through operating system.
 Types of System Software (OS continued...)

• Important tasks of Operating System:

– It loads program into memory and executes them.
– It controls the operation of all devices.
– It manages files and folders.
– It provides the facility to create passwords to make sure it is not
used by unauthorized persons.
– It identifies the hardware problems and displays messages to
solve them.
• Examples:
– Microsoft Windows
– Linux
– Unix
– Mac OS
 Types of System Software
• Utility Program:
• A utility program is a type of system software that is used for
effective management of computer system. The user can use
utility program to perform maintenance tasks related to
different devices and programs. The utility program keep the
computer system running smoothly. Most operating system
include different built-in utility programs.
• Examples:
– File Viewer: to display and manage files and folders.
– Backup Utility: to take backup of data.
– File Compressor: to reduce the size of files.
– Diagnostic utility: to detect hardware and software problems.
– Antivirus software: to detect and remove viruses
 Types of System Software
• Device Driver:
• A device driver is a type of system software that
controls the operation of a device.
• An operating system uses a device driver to
communicate with a device. Many device drivers are
automatically installed in windows.
• All devices attached to the computer need the device
drivers such as printer, modem and sound card.
• A device will not work properly if its device driver is not
installed properly. The device drivers are provided by
the device manufacturers.
 Types of System Software
• Language Processor:
• Language processor is a type of system software
that translates a source code into machine code.
• Every computer language has its own translator.
A program written in high language or assembly
language cannot be run on computer directly. It
must be converted into machine language using
language processor before execution.
• Different types of language processors include
compiler, interpreter and assembler.
 Application Software
• Application software is used to perform
various tasks or applications on the computer.
• A large number of application software is
available. People use application software
according to their needs.
• It is also known as Application Package.
• The application software uses the operating
system in order to function. It runs on the top
of operating system.
 Application Software
• Examples:
– Word Processor such as MS Word.
– Spreadsheet such as MS Excel.
– Database software such as MS Access or Oracle.
– Graphics software such as CorelDraw and Adobe
Photoshop etc.
 Difference between System & Application
Software
System Software
It is general-purpose software.
It is used to manage computer
resources.
It executes all the time in the
computer.
The number of system software
is less than application
software.
A system software is essential
for a computer to work.
Application Software
It is specific-purpose software.
It is used to solve particular
problems.
It executes as and when
required.
The number of application
software is much more than
system software.
Application software is not
essential for a computer to
work
 Objectives of Operating System
• Convenience
– Provide convenience for the user.
– Allows the user to perform different tasks easily.
• Efficiency
– Manages computer resources in such a way that it improves
the efficiency of the system.
– Resources include processing power, storage and
communication.
• Ability to Evolve
– OS must be able to evolve according to the rapidly changing
hardware and software technologies.
FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING SYSTEM
 Functions of Operating System
Operating system performs the following functions:
1. Booting
2. Memory Management
3. Job Scheduling
4. Device Controlling
5. Accessing Web
6. Monitoring Performance
7. Housekeeping Services
8. Controlling Network
9. Administrating Security
10.Providing User Interface
 Booting
• Booting is a process of starting or restarting a computer.
• Operating System starts the computer to work. It checks the
computer and makes it ready to work.
• Two Type of Booting:
1. Cold Boot: When the computer is turned on after it has been powered
off completely.
2. Warm Boot: When the computer is restarted.
• When the booting process takes place the kernel and important
instructions of OS are copied from hard disk to RAM.
• Kernel is the most important part of the OS that manages
memory and devices, maintains the computer clock, starts
application and assigns computer resources like devices,
programs, data and information.
 Memory Management
• Memory management is the process of optimizing the use of main
memory (RAM).
• RAM is used to store data and instructions during execution.
• OS allocates memory area to different programs. The allocated
memory area is deallocated when the program is finished.
• Some operating systems allocate a part of storage medium like
hard disk as additional RAM. A part of running program can be in
RAM and the remaining part may be on the hard disk. This
concept is known as virtual memory.
• The are of the hard disk used for virtual memory is called swap file. It is used to
exchange data, information and instructions between the hard disk and RAM.
• The amount of data and program instruction that can swap at a given time is
called page.
• The process of swapping items between memory and hard disk is called paging.
 Job Scheduling
• An operation managed by the processor is called a job. There may be many
jobs such as executing instructions, getting input or displaying result to the
user etc. Operating System determines the order in which these jobs are
processed.
• Many scheduling mechanisms are used by the operating system to execute
these jobs.
• First-come, first-serve scheduling
• Priority scheduling
• Sometimes, a device is already busy in executing some instructions. In this
case, the new job is stored in a memory area called buffer.
– For example, if there are three printing job, the printer can print only one
job at a time. The OS sends the next two jobs in buffer. The jobs in buffer
are said to be in queue. When the printer prints the first job, it gets the
next job from the queue and executes it.
 Device Controlling
• Operating system controls all the devices attached to the
computer. The software that is used to control the
hardware device is called device driver. It tells the OS
how to communicate with a device.
• Each device has its own set of commands and requires
specific software. The OS load the drivers of all the
devices when the computer boots. The devices cannot
function properly without device drivers.
• In Windows, the extension of driver files is “.drv”
• Windows OS contains a large number of device drivers.
When a new hardware device is attached to the
computer, it automatically detects the device and installs
its driver if it is available. This is known as Plug and Play.
 Accessing the Web
• OS provides the facility to connect to the web. It
guides the user to set up a connection between
computer and Internet Service Provider (ISP).
• It also provides the facility of web browser and e-
mail program.
• Web browser is used to view websites on the
internet.
• Email program is used to send and receive e-
mails.
 Monitoring Performance
• OS also monitors the performance of the
computer.
• A performance monitor is a program that
checks and reports the information about
different system resources and devices.
• For example, it monitors processor, disk,
memory and network etc.
 Housekeeping Services
• Operating System performs different functions related to
storage and file management by using a special program
known as file manager.
• These functions include the following:
– Formatting and copying disk
– Displaying a list of files on storage medium
– Checking the amount of used or free space on storage medium
– Organizing, copying, renaming, deleting, moving and sorting
files
– Creating shortcuts
 Controlling Network
• Some OS are network operating systems
called network OS or NOS. These OS support
network.
• A NOS organizes how multiple users access
and share resources on network. These
resources include programs, files and
hardware devices such as drives and printers
etc.
 Administrating Security
• Operating system manages the security of the
computer system as well as programs and data stored
on it.
• Security is normally maintained by using user ID and
passwords. Each user has to enter user ID and password
to log on.
• The network administrator can also define different
levels of access for different users.
• For example, some users may have full access to all the resources of
computer but some users may be restricted to only specific
resources.
 Providing User Interface
• The operating system acts as an interface
between the computer user and hardware.
The user interact with the computer through
the operating system.
CATEGORIES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
 Categories of Operating System
• Stand-alone Operating System
• Server Operating System
• Mobile Operating System
• Embedded Operating System
 Stand-alone Operating System
• An Operating System that works on a desktop or
notebook computer is called Stand-alone Operating
System.
•  A stand-alone operating system provides an entire
working framework.
• Examples of Stand-alone Operating System are:
• Disk Operating System (DOS)
• Windows
• Unix
• Linux
• MAC OS
 Server Operating System
• An operating system that is designed to support a
network is called server operating system.
• It is also called network operating system.
• A server operating system is an operating
system specifically designed to run on servers, which
are specialized computers that operate within a
client/server architecture to serve the requests of
client computers on the network.
• Examples of Server Operating System are:
• Linux
• Unix
• Windows Server 2019
 Mobile Operating System
• An operating system used in handheld and mobile devices is
called mobile operating system.
• It provides graphical user interface and different features such
as touchscreen support, navigation systems, speech
recognition, wireless connectivity, e-mail and web browsers
etc.
• Examples of Mobile Operating Systems are:
• Android
• iOS
• Windows Phone (WP)
• Blackberry OS
 Embedded Operating System
• An embedded operating
system (OS) is a
specialized operating
system designed to perform a
specific task for a device that is
not a computer.
• The devices such as ATM
machines, GPS, Digital Video
Recorders, Microwave Ovens use
embedded operating system.
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM BASED
ON INTERFACE
 Types of Operating System based on
Interface
• Command Line Interface
• Menu Driven Interface
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
 Command Line Interface
• A type of user interface in which the user
communicates with the operating system by typing
command by the keyboard is called command line
interface.
• The command line interface is difficult because the
user has to remember commands. It generates error
if there is a slight mistake in the syntax of the
command.
• DOS and some versions of Unix are examples of
command line interface.
 Menu Driven Interface
• A type of user interface in which the user
communicates with the operating system by
using menus is called menu driven interface.
• It is easier to use because the user does not
have to remember the syntax of commands.
 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• A type of user interface in which the user communicates
with the operating system using visual environment is
called graphical user interface.
• It consists of windows, menu, icons, pointers etc.
• The user selects commands from menus and select icons
by using a pointing device like mouse. Mouse is used
frequently in GUI.
• Most of the OS for personal computers use GUI.
• It is very easy to use as the user does not need to
remember commands.
• It is also very attractive and user-friendly.
• Windows, Linux and Mac OS are examples of GUI OS.
 Important Characteristics of GUI
• Graphical Interface
• Attractive
• Easy to learn
• Easy to use
UTILITY PROGRAMS
 Utility Program
• A utility program is a type of system software that is
used for effective management of computer system.
• The user can use utility program to perform
maintenance tasks related to different devices and
programs.
• The utility program keep the computer system
running smoothly.
• Most operating system include different built-in
utility programs.
 Types of Utility Program
• File Manager:
• File manager is used to manage and view files in computer
system.
• All operating systems provide file viewers.
• Some important functions of file manager are:
– Displaying a list of files
– Organizing files in folders
– Copying, renaming, deleting, moving and sorting files and folders
– Creating shortcuts

• Image Viewer:
• An image viewer is used to display, copy and print the
contents of a graphics file.
• For example, Windows Photo Viewer is used to view and edit
photos in Windows operating system.
 Types of Utility Program
• Search Utility:
• A search utility enables the user to search an entire disk
for a file. Most operating systems include a search utility.
• File Compressor:
• File compressor is used to shrink the size of files. A
smaller size of files make it easier and faster to send files
over the Internet.
• WinZip is an example of file compressor.
• Diagnostic Utility:
• Diagnostic utility is used to detect problems of hardware
and software. It does not repair these problems.
 Types of Utility Program
• Antivirus:
• A type of software that is used to detect and remove virus is
called antivirus software. Antivirus programs contain information
about different known viruses. Antivirus programs not only
detects viruses from computer but also prevent new viruses
from entering into the computer.
• McAfee, Norton and Avast are most commonly used antivirus
programs in windows operating system.
• Backup & Restore Utility:
• A backup utility is used to copy files to another storage medium.
• Backup is used when data is lost or deleted unexpectedly.
• A restore utility is used to restore the backed up files to their
original form.
 Types of Utility Program
• Task Manager Utility:
• Windows task manager appears when the user presses “ctrl
+ alt + del” key. It displays information about programs and
processes running on the computer. It also displays data
about CPU and memory usage and user information.
• Uninstaller:
• An uninstaller is a utility program that removes an installed
program from computer properly.
• The uninstaller deletes files and folders from the hard disk.
It also removes program entries from the system files.
• Uninstaller program can be located in control panel.