Assignment Chapter 8

Lecturer : Mr. Tri Djoko Wahjono, Ir., M.Sc

Name : Agatha Virgitia Darmawan

Student ID : 1701338122

1. What Is System Software, and What Are the Two Types of System Software?

When you purchase a personal computer, it usually has system software installed on its hard disk. System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices. System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware. Two types of system software are operating systems and utility programs.

An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources. Most operating systems perform similar functions that include starting and shutting down a computer, providing a user interface, managing programs, managing memory, coordinating tasks, configuring devices, establishing an Internet connection, monitoring performance, providing file management and other utilities, and automatically updating itself and certain utility programs. Some operating systems also allow users to control a network and administer security.

A utility program, also called a utility, is a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. Most operating systems include several built-in utility programs. Users often buy stand-alone utilities, however, because they offer improvements over those included with the operating system. Functions provided by utility programs include the following: managing files, searching for files, viewing images, uninstalling programs, cleaning up disks, defragmenting disks, backing up files and disks, setting up screen s avers, securing a computer from unauthorized access, protecting against viruses, removing spyware and adware, filtering Internet content, compressing files, playing media files, burning optical discs, and maintaining a personal computer.

 2. What Are the Functions of an Operating System?

The operating system starts and shuts down a computer, provides a user interface, manages  programs, manages memory, coordinates tasks, configures devices, establishes an Internet connection, monitors performance, provides utilities, updates automatically, controls a network, and administers security. The user interface controls how data and instructions are entered and how information is displayed on the screen. Two types of user interfaces are a graphical user interface (GUI) and a command-line interface. Managing programs refers to how many users, and how many programs, an operating system can support at one time. An operating system can be single user/single tasking, single user/multitasking, multiuser, or multiprocessing. Memory management optimizes the use of random access memory (RAM). If memory is insufficient, the operating system may use virtual memory, which allocates a portion of a storage medium to function as additional RAM. Coordinating tasks determines the order in which tasks are processed. Tasks include receiving data from an input device, processing instructions, sending information to an output device, and transferring items between storage and memory. Configuring devices involves loading each device’s driver when a user boots the computer. A driver, short for device driver, is a small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specific device. Establishing an Internet connection sets up a connection between a computer and an Internet access provider. A performance monitor is an operating system program that assesses and reports information about computer resources and devices. Operating systems often provide the capability of managing and searching for files, viewing images, securing a computer from unauthorized access, uninstalling programs, and other tasks. Most operating systems also include an automatic update feature that provides updates to the program. A server operating system is an operating system that organizes and coordinates how multiple users access and share network resources. Network administrators typically have an administrator account that enables them to access files, install programs, and specify network set- tings, including creating user accounts and establishing permissions.

3. What Is the Startup Process on a Personal Computer?

Booting is the process of starting or restarting a computer. When a user turns on a computer, the power supply sends a signal to the system unit. The processor chip finds the ROM chip(s) that contains the BIOS (basic input/output system), which is firmware with the computer’s startup instructions. The BIOS performs the power-on self test (POST) to check system components and compares the results with data in a CMOS chip. If the POST completes successfully, the BIOS searches for the system files and the kernel of the operating system, which manages memory and devices, and loads them into memory from storage. Finally, the operating system loads configuration information, requests any necessary user information, and displays the desktop on the screen. The operating system executes programs in the Startup folder, which contains a list of programs that open automatically when you boot the computer.

4.  What Are Features of Windows 7, Mac OS X, UNIX, and Linux Operating Systems?

A stand-alone operating system is a complete operating system that works on a desktop computer, notebook computer, or mobile computing device.

Windows 7

In the mid-1980s, Microsoft developed its first version of Windows, which provided a graphical user interface (GUI). Since then, Microsoft continually has updated its Windows operating system, incorporating innovative features and functions with each subsequent version. Windows 7 is Microsoft’s fastest, most efficient operating system to date, offering quicker program start up, built-in diagnostics, automatic recovery, improved security, enhanced searching and organizing capabilities, and an easy-to-use interface. Windows 7 includes several programs to enhance user experiences. Home and small office users easily can set up a network and secure it from hackers with Windows Firewall. With Windows DVD Maker, users easily can create DVDs from digital videos. Windows Media Player allows users to listen to Internet radio stations, play MP3 and other music formats, copy music and data to CDs, and watch movies. Using the Desktop Gadget Gallery, users can display a variety of gadgets on the Windows desktop. A gadget, also known as a widget, is a mini-program with minimal functionality that connects to another program or provides information. Examples of gadgets included with Windows 7 include a calendar, clock, CPU meter, currency converter, news headlines,  picture puzzle, picture slide show, weather, and a Windows Media Center gadget. Most users choose one of these Windows 7 editions: Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Ultimate, or Windows 7 Professional.

• Windows 7 Starter, designed for netbooks and other small notebook computers, uses the Windows 7 Basic interface and allows users easily to search for files, connect to printers and devices, browse the Internet, join home networks, and connect to wireless networks. This edition of Windows typically is preinstalled on new computers and not available for purchase in retail stores.

 • Windows 7 Home Premium includes all the capabilities of Windows 7 Starter and also includes Windows Aero with its Aero Flip 3D feature. It also provides tools to create and edit high-definition movies, record and watch television shows, connect to a game console, and read from and write on Blu-ray Discs.

• Windows 7 Ultimate, which includes all features of Windows 7 Home Premium, provides additional features designed to keep your files secure and support for 35 languages.

• With Windows 7 Professional, users in all sizes of businesses are provided a secure operating environment that uses Windows Aero where they easily can search for files, protect their computers from unauthorized intruders and unwanted programs, use improved backup technologies, securely connect to Wi-Fi networks, quickly view messages on a powered-off, specially equipped notebook computer, easily share documents and collaborate with other users, and watch and record live television.

Mac OS X

 Since it was released in 1984 with Macintosh computers, Apple’s Macintosh operating system has set the standard for operating system ease of use and has been the model for most of the new GUIs developed for non-Macintosh systems. The latest version, Mac OS X, is a multitasking operating system available only for computers manufactured by Apple. Mac OS X includes features from previous versions of the Macintosh operating system such as large photo-quality icons, built-in net- working support, e-mail, chat, online shopping, enhanced speech recognition, optical disc burning, and enhanced multimedia capabilities. In addition, Mac OS X includes these features:

• New desktop search technology

• Dashboard, a desktop area for mini-programs called widgets

• Built-in, fast Web browser

• Parental controls

• Improved backup utility, called Time Machine

• Accessibility interface reads e-mail messages

• 3-D personal video and audio conferencing

• Filter to eliminate junk e-mail messages

• Contact lists synchronized with Bluetooth- enabled smart phone or other mobile device

• Latest version of QuickTime to listen to music and view videos on the Internet

 • Easy networking of computers and devices

• Windows network connection and shared Windows documents

UNIX

 UNIX (pronounced YOU-nix) is a multitasking operating system developed in the early 1970s by scientists at Bell Laboratories. Bell Labs (a subsidiary of AT&T) was prohibited from actively promoting UNIX in the commercial marketplace because of federal regulations. Bell Labs instead licensed UNIX for a low fee to numerous colleges and universities, where UNIX obtained a wide following. UNIX was implemented on many different types of computers. After deregulation of the telephone companies in the 1980s, UNIX was licensed to many hardware and software companies. Several versions of this operating system exist, each slightly different. When programmers move application software from one UNIX version to another, they sometimes have to rewrite some of the programs. Although some versions of UNIX have a command-line interface, most versions of UNIX offer a graphical user interface. Today, a version of UNIX is available for most computers of all sizes. Power users often work with UNIX because of its flexibility and power. Manufacturers such as Sun and IBM sell personal computers and workstations with a UNIX operating system.

Linux

Linux is one of the faster growing operating systems. Linux (pronounced LINN-uks), introduced in 1991, is a popular, multitasking UNIX- type operating system. In addition to the basic operating system, Linux also includes many free programming languages and utility programs. Linux is not proprietary software like the operating systems discussed thus far. Instead, Linux is open source software, which means its code is provided for use, modification, and redistribution. It has no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification of the software’s internal instructions and redistribution of the software. Many programmers have donated time to modify and redistribute Linux to make it the best possible version of UNIX. Promoters of open source software state two main advantages: users who modify the software share their improvements with others, and customers can personalize the software to meet their needs.

The two most popular GUIs available for Linux are GNOME and KDE. Some companies such as Red Hat market software that runs on their own distribution of Linux. Many application programs, utilities, and plug-ins have Linux distributions, including OpenOffice.org, StarOffice, Mozilla, Yahoo! Messenger, RealPlayer, QuickTime, and Acrobat Reader. Users obtain Linux in a variety of ways. Some download it free from the Web. Others purchase it from vendors such as Red Hat or IBM, who bundle their own software with the operating system. Linux optical discs are included in many Linux books and also are available for purchase from vendors. Some retailers such as Dell will preinstall Linux on a new computer’s hard disk on request. If you want to preview the Linux operating system, you can obtain a Live CD or Live USB.

5.  What Are Various Server Operating Systems?

A server operating system is an operating system that is designed specifically to support a network. A server operating system typically resides on a server. Examples of server operating systems include Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Solaris, and NetWare.

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 is an upgrade to Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2008, which includes features of previous Windows Server versions, offers the following capabilities:

• Improved Web server management, enabling users to share data

• Enhanced server security

• Network Access Protection restricts computers that do not meet specified requirements

• Protection against malicious software attacks

• Shares many technologies with Windows

• Client support using Windows, Mac OS, UNIX, and Linux

Most editions of Windows Server 2008 include Hyper-V, which is a virtualization technology. Virtualization is the practice of sharing or pooling computing resources, such as servers. Through virtualization, for example, operating systems such as Windows Server 2008 can separate a physical server into several virtual servers. Each virtual server then can perform an independent, separate function, such as running a different operating system.

UNIX

 In addition to being a stand-alone operating system, UNIX also is a server operating system. That is, UNIX is capable of handling a high volume of transactions in a multiuser environment and working with multiple processors using multiprocessing. For this reason, some computer professionals call UNIX a multipurpose operating system because it is both a stand-alone and server operating system. Many Web servers use UNIX as their operating system.

Linux

Some network servers use Linux as their operating system. Thus, Linux also is a multi- purpose operating system. With Linux, a net- work administrator can configure the network, administer security, run a Web server, and process e-mail. Clients on the network can run Linux, UNIX, or Windows. Distributions of Linux include the Mozilla Web browser.

Solaris

Solaris, a version of UNIX developed by Sun Microsystems, is a server operating system designed specifically for e-commerce applications. Solaris manages high-traffic accounts and incorporates security necessary for Web transactions. Client computers often use a desk- top program, such as GNOME desktop, that communicates with the Solaris operating system.

NetWare

Novell’s NetWare is a server operating system designed for client/server networks. NetWare has a server portion that resides on the network server and a client portion that resides on each client computer connected to the network. NetWare supports open source software and runs on all types of computers from mainframes to personal computers. Client computers also can have their own stand-alone operating system such as a Windows, Mac OS, or Linux.

6.  What Are the Features of Several Embedded Operating Systems?

Mobile devices and many consumer electronics have an embedded operating system that resides on a ROM chip. Popular embedded operating systems include Windows Embedded CE, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, iPhone OS, BlackBerry, Google Android, embedded Linux, and Symbian OS. Windows Embedded CE is a scaled-down Windows operating system designed for use on communications, entertainment, and computing devices with limited functionality. Windows Mobile, an operating system based on Windows Embedded CE, provides a user interface designed for specifi c types of smart phones and PDAs. Palm OS is an operating system used on smart phones and PDAs. iPhone OS, developed by Apple, is an operating system for the iPhone and iPod touch. The BlackBerry operating system runs on handheld devices supplied by RIM. Google Android is an operating system developed by Google for mobile devices. Embedded Linux is a scaled-down Linux operating system for smart phones, PDAs, portable media players, and other devices requiring an embedded operating system. Symbian OS is an open source multitasking operating system designed for smart phones.

7.  What Is the Purpose of Several Utility Programs?

Most operating systems include several built-in utility programs. A file manager performs functions related to file management. A search utility attempts to locate a file on your computer based on criteria you specify. An image viewer displays, copies, and prints the contents of a graphics file, such as photos. An uninstaller removes a program and any associated entries in the system files. A disk cleanup utility searches for and removes unnecessary files. A disk defragmenter reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk. A backup utility is used to copy, or back up, selected files or an entire hard disk to another storage medium. A restore utility reverses the backup process and returns backed up files to their original form. A screen saver displays a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs for a specified time. A personal firewall detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions. An antivirus program protects computers against a virus, or potentially damaging computer program, by identifying and removing any computer viruses. A spyware remover detects and deletes spyware and other similar programs. An adware remover detects and deletes adware. Internet filter programs can include Web filtering software, an anti-spam program, a phishing filter, and a pop-up blocker. A file compression utility shrinks the size of a fi le so that it takes up less storage space. A media player allows you to view images and animation, listen to audio, and watch video files on a computer. Disc burning software writes text, graphics, audio, and video files on a recordable or rewritable CD, DVD, or Blue-ray Disc. A personal computer maintenance utility identifies and fixes operating system problems and improves a computer’s performance.