Providing an interface

Providing an interface

1. File management

   • Files need to be manipulated. Operating systems provide an interface to the user which allows them to: Copy files, Move files, Delete files, Sort files and Search for files.

2. Graphical user interface

   • A GUI is used by most PC and phone operating systems. Graphical representations of the computer’s functions are shown to the user and controlled by touchscreen or a mouse and keyboard. Programs often run in windows and several can be shown at the same time.
     • Advantages
       • Easy to learn
       • Lots of information shown at once
     • disadvantages
       • Uses a lot of system resources
       • Complexity means there is more to go wrong

3. Command Line Interface (CLI)

   • A CLI is a text-based interface. The user types commands, and the result is shown as text. Nearly every operating system provides a CLI. These are harder to use, but are very lightweight and robust – they use few system resources and are very unlikely to crash or break
     • Adavantages
       • Few system resources required
       • Easy to automate (commands can be stored in file)
     • Disadvantages
       • Hard to learn
       • Difficult to compare outputs of different programs

4. System Settings

   • Operating systems enable the user to easily alter system settings. Settings include: Enabling or disabling specific hardware, Changing the volume, Adjusting screen resolution and Configuring secondary storage

5. Multitasking

   • Multitasking is allowing multiple processes appear to run simultaneously. CPUs don’t generally support this, so the OS simulates it by alternating which processes get CPU time. A GUI will generally allow different processes to run in separate windows, and be displayed side by side.

6. Error Messages and Support

   • When something goes wrong in a program, the user needs to be informed. However, the programmer may not know how the program is being used (GUI, CLI or remotely on an embedded system). The error is passed to the operating system, which then displays it in the most suitable way. This produces consistent error handling regardless of what application is being used.

7. Customisation

   • The ability to customise the interface is a feature of most operating systems. Some provide options to change the colour scheme and desktop background Others allow a completely different desktop environment to be installed.

8. Task Management

   • Operating systems manage processes and allow multitasking. The also provide the user with the option to quit programs, or kill unresponsive processes. Some also allow the user to prioritise certain processes, allowing certain apps to use the full processor speed.