1.7 Systems Software

1.7 Systems Software

1. An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.

   • Peripheral Managment
     • Drivers
   • Multi Tasking
   • File Managment
   • User Managment
   • Memory Managment
   • Interface - provides a user interface so it is easy to interact with the computer
   • Manages the CPU - runs applications and executes and cancels processes
   • Multi-tasks - allows multiple applications to run at the same time
     • manages memory - transfers programs into and out of memory, allocates free space between programs, and keeps track of memory usage
       • manages peripherals - opens, closes and writes to peripheral devices such as storage attached to the computer
         • organises - creates a file system to organise files and directories
           • security - provides security through user accounts and passwords

2. Open Source vs Proprietary

   • Open Source
   • Proprietary

3. Software designed to run or maintain an OS

   • User interface
     • CLI
     • GUI
       • WIMP

4. Utility Software

   • Data Compression

5. FDE Cycle

   • Fetch
   • Decode
   • Exocute