Windows Basic and Operating System

Windows Basic

What is Operating System

An operating system is the program that manages all the other programs in a computer after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program. It is the most basic program in a computer.

The other programs are called applications or application programs. The application programs make use of the operating system by making requests for services through a defined application program interface (API).

The functions of an operating system can be classified into three groups:

1) Managing resources

2) Providing user interface

3) Running applications

The operating system’s job is to control the computer at the most fundamental level. It manages memory, controls access to peripheral devices and serves as a translator between the user and the hardware, providing the means for the user and application programs to tell the hardware what to do.

Users interact with application programs and computer hardware through a “user interface”. Many older operating systems use a character-based interface in which users communicate with the operating system through written commands. Almost all newer operating systems use a “graphical user interface (GUI)”.

Operating systems load and run applications such as word processors and spreadsheets. Most operating systems support “multitasking” which is the ability to switch between different applications stored in memory.

Starting or restarting a computer is called “booting” the system. There are two ways to boot a computer, a warm boot and a cold boot. A “warm boot” occurs when the computer is already on and you restart it without turning off the power. For example, in Windows Vista, you can restart a running computer by pressing the “Start” button, clicking on the arrow at the bottom right and selecting “Restart”. Starting a computer that has been turned off is called a “cold boot”.

Users can interact directly with the operating system through a user interface such as a command language or a graphical user interface (GUI). Most GUIs provide a place called the “desktop”, which allows access to computer resources. Examples of operating systems are: Windows, Novell Netware, Mac OS, UNIX and Linux.

Operating systems have several features in common with application programs, such as the following ones.

Icons: These are graphic representations for a program or function.

Pointer: This is controlled by a mouse and changes shape depending on its current function. For example, when shaped like an arrow, the pointer can be use to select items such as an icon.

Windows: These are rectangular areas for displaying information and running programs.

Menus: These provide a list of options or commands.

Dialog Boxes: These are window that provide information or request input.

Help: Online assistance is provided for different operations and procedures.

Most operating systems store data and programs in a system of files and folders. Unlike the traditional filing cabinet, computer files and folders are stored on a secondary storage device such as your hard disk.”Files” are used to store data and programs. Related files are stored within a “folder”. A folder may also contain other folders.

There are various operating systems, but they all can be categorized under three basic heads: embedded, network and stand-alone.

“Embedded operating systems” are used for handheld computers and smaller devices like PDAs. The operating system programs are stored on read-only memory (ROM) chips and embedded in the device. Popular embedded operating systems include Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded.

“Network operating systems” are used to control and coordinate computers that are linked together. Network operating systems are generally located on one of the hard disks of the connected computers. This computer is called the “network server” and it coordinates communication between the other computers. Popular network operating systems include Netware, Windows NT Server, Windows XP Server and UNIX.

“Stand-alone operating systems” also called “desktop operating systems”, control a single desktop or notebook computer. These operating systems are located on the computer’s hard disk. Popular desktop operating systems include Windows, Mac OS and some versions of UNIX.

Often desktop computers and notebooks are part of a network. In such cases, the desktop operating system works with the network’s NOS to share and coordinate resources. Here, the desktop operating system is referred to as the “client operating system”.

The operating system is often referred to as the “software environment” or “platform”. Almost all application programs are designed to run with a specific platform. For example, the standard version of AppleWorks is designed to run with the Mac OS environment.