software

software

1. Utility sofware

   • most operating systems also include programs called utilities. Utilities are not essential for the computer to work but either make it easier for the user to use in some way
   • Examples
     • Defragmentation utility
       • Defragmentation is when a file is broken up into different parts and stored on a hard drive. This is because hard drives are made up of sectors which hold data and these are not always available sequentially.
     • Disk Clean up
       • This is a utility which allows files to be safely deleted from the hard drive
     • Other utilities
       • Anti virus
       • Encryption
       • Compression
       • file search
       • Image editing

2. Operating system

   • the low-level software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks and controlling peripherals.
   • Tasks
     • Providing a user interface
     • Memory management
     • Peripheral management
     • File management
     • User management

3. Memory management

   • When you double click on a desktop icon to open an application, the operating system loads the necessary files of the application into the memory. As you use the application the operating system loads the necessary modules into the ram.
   • When you have finished using an application and you close it, the operating system will remove it from the memory
   • If you are not using part of an application, the operating system will remove it from its memory o try and free up space

4. Peripheral manageent

   • Each peripheral is programmed with its own machine code. Each has its own rules that dictate how it transmits data values between the computer and the device. These rules make up a protocol for controlling and communicating with the device.
   • Drivers
     • handles the translation of requests between a device and the computer
     • defines where a process must put outgoing data before it can be sent, and where incoming messages will be stored when they are received
     • wakes up the device when it is needed and put it back to sleep when it is not
     • The OS has generic drivers which work with most peripherals however some peripherals require external drivers.