1.7 Systems software

1.7 Systems software

1. Definitions

   • The operating system is the main software on a computer device
   • The kernel is the collection of software services which manages and data security
   • Device driver allows peripherals to communicate with the computer
   • User interface allows people to interact with the operating system through the use of pictures,graphics and icons
   • Multitasking is running multiple programs at a time(simueltaneos)
   • System utlities is Useful, specialist software applications that perform specific tasks such as compression software

2. Parts of the OS

   • Kernel
     • The kernel Pefroms data security , manages memory and schedules taks
     • The kernel is different in every Opetating system
     • On mobile OS the kernel has to be more efficient in memory managment
   • User interface
     • The three main types of Interfaces are:
       • Menu interface
         • Menu-based interfaces give users a list of possible actions that the system can carry out.
         • If an action isn't on the menu, the user can't ask the operating system to do it
       • Command line interface
         • This allows you to interact directly with the computer system by typing in commands
       • Graphical user interface
         • Graphical user interface is the commonly used in the modern age
         • It is also a very friendly way as it uses images
         • This part of the operating system directs what you see on the screen and reacts to your key presses, mouse clicks and touch on a touch sensitive screen.
   • Device driver
     • Device drivers are usually specific to the operating system
     • All hardware inside the Computer need drivers aswell as peripherals
       • The device drivers job is to make sure these are up to date
   • Systems utilities

3. Exam Questions

   • Name three Features of the kernel
     • Data security, memory manager and schedules tasks