System Software

System Software

1. Operating software

   • Control the hardware of the computer system
   • Manage software
   • Provide security
   • Provide a User Interface
   • Parts
     • Kernal
       • Load/unload applications from memory
       • Schedules tasks to run efficiently on the CPU
       • Memory manager
       • File storage to and from secondary storage
       • File management
       • Data security
     • User Interface
       • Allows the person to interact with the computer
       • Types
         • Menu
           • list of possible actions a user can do
           • useful when a computer can only handle a few tasks
         • command line
           • Allows the user to directly interact with the computer by typing commands
         • Graphical
           • uses pictures, graphics and icons
           • most commonly used
     • Device Drivers
       • Enables the operating system to control and communicate with the device
       • makers of devices will normally provide device drivers for each make of operating system
     • System Utilities

2. Utility Software