Operating Systems

1
Operating Systems

• The Relationship Between Hardware Software

2
Goals

• Understand what an operating system is
• Become familiar with several different operating
  systems
• Learn about the important features of an
  operating system, including file management
• Understand the Unix Operating System and tools
  associated with Unix
• Understand Unix Permissions

3
Why Study Operating Systems?

• Understand the relationship between hardware
  software
• Understand future Operating Systems
• Understand powerful tools to help you in your
  computer use

4
What is an Operating System?

• Software
• Controls the relationship between all other
  software and hardware
• Other Roles

5
The Two Major Types of OSs
Command Line
GUI

• Letters with symbols, such as C\
• Type what you want the computer to do - the
  COMMAND
• Type it correctly
• DOS and UNIX, but they do have GUIs available

• Pictures with descriptive words
• Click a picture to start a program
• Point and Click
• Much easier to move the pointer with the mouse
  and CLICK on a picture, than to remember COMMANDS
  
• Window 3.1, Windows 95, MAC O/S

6
So, What Does an OS Do?

• Controls the INPUT, OUTPUT, and PROCESSING
  activities for the computer
• It is the BOSS of what happens in the S/W, the
  H/W, and between the S/W and H/W
• High-quality O/S can make your computer more
  effective and efficient
• Good OS makes the computer easier to use and more
  efficient

7
The Roles of an Operating System

• A Traffic Cop
• A Communication System
• A Box of Tools
• A Self-Starter

8
OS as a Traffic Cop

• Controls the resources of the computer
• Resources include memory, file storage, and CPU
• Multitasking is possible on new computers

9
OS as a Communications System

• Helps all of the HARDWARE components communicate
  with each other
• Helps the software communicate with the hardware

10
OS as Toolbox

• Several utility programs included with an O/S
• File Management
• Memory Management
• Appearance Management
• Networking Tools

11
OS as a Self-Starter

• Takes over just after booting
• Checks to see all hardware is present
• Mechanisms for Hard Boot Soft Boot

12
Brands of Operating Systems
DOS

• Marketed by Microsoft in 1981
• Command-Line
• Inspired by UNIX
• Used on computers with the Intel Chip

13
Brands of Operating Systems
Apple Macintosh

• Developed by Apple in 1984
• Successful Marketing Campaign
• Changed the ideas about ease of use
• Largely ignored by the PC world

14
Brands of Operating Systems
Windows 3.1

• Developed in 1992
• First commercially successful GUI for PCs
• Actually not an Operating System
• Technically a shell that runs on top of DOS

15
Brands of Operating Systems
Windows 95/98/2000

• Developed in 1995
• Introduced the idea of the desktop for PCs
• Independent Operating System
• Made networking easier

16
Brands of Operating Systems
Unix

• Developed by Bell Labs in 1969
• Command-Line OS
• Offered File Sharing
• Offered Process-Sharing