System Software

System Software

1. Operating System

   • Complex piece of software responsible for running the computer, hardware, users, resources and applications.
   • Communicate with the internal and external device drivers
   • Deals with file management and disk management
   • Allows the computer to multitask by controlling the memory resources and CPU
   • Provides user with an interface
   • Device drivers lets the OS and hardware communicate with each other
   • User Interface
     • Allows the user to interact with a computer system
       • GUIs are the most common type
         • WIMP based
           • Windows Icons Menus Pointers
         • They are visualised, interactive, intutive
         • suitable for every day users
       • Command line interface
         • text based
           • Enters specific commands to complete task
             • less resource heavy than GUIs
             • Aren't suitable for everyday users.
             • They are efficient and powerful than GUI for advanced users
             • Can be used to automate processes using scripts
   • OS provide a platform to run applications
     • Can multitask- run multiple programs at the same time
     • Can multitask by efficiently managing memory and CPU processing times