computer system software.docx

Upload: roma-mahinay-dela-cruz

Post on 04-Jun-2018

218 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    1/18

    Computer System Software

    Software is a collection of instructions that enables a user to interact with

    the computer or have the computer perform specific tasks for them. Without any

    software the computer would be useless. For example, you wouldn't be able tointeract with the computer without a softwareoperating system.Almost all

    software purchased at a retail store and online is included in a box similar to the

    one shown to the right, this box usually contains all the disks (floppy

    diskette,CD,DVD,orBlu-ray)required to install the program onto the computer,

    manuals, warranty, and other important documentation.

    Creating a Software

    1.ProgramAn organized list ofinstructions that, whenexecuted,causesthecomputerto behave in a predetermined manner. Without programs,

    computers are useless.

    A program is like a recipe. It contains a list of ingredients (calledvariables)and a

    list of directions (calledstatements)that tell the computer what to do with the

    variables. The variables can represent numericdata,text,or graphical images.

    2.Programming Language is an artificiallanguage designed to

    communicateinstructions to amachine,particularly acomputer.Programming

    languages can be used to createprogramsthat control the behavior of a machine

    and/or to expressalgorithms precisely.

    Four Classification of Computer Software

    1.Operaing System - An operating system is a program designed to run otherprograms on a computer. A computersoperating system is its most important

    program. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software

    and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible for everything from

    the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices

    and transmitting output to computer displays. They also manage files oncomputer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners.

    The operating system of a large computer system has even more work to

    do. Such operatingsystems monitor different programs and users, making sure

    everything runs smoothly, without interference, despite the fact that numerous

    devices and programs are used simultaneously. An operating system also has a

    http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/o/os.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/f/floppydi.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/f/floppydi.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/cd.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/d/dvd.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/b/bd.htmhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/instruction.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/E/execute.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/computer.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/variable.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/variable.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/variable.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/statement.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/statement.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/statement.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/data.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/text.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_instructionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_(machine)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algorithmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algorithmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_(machine)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_instructionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languagehttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/text.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/data.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/statement.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/variable.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/computer.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/E/execute.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/instruction.htmlhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/b/bd.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/d/dvd.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/cd.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/f/floppydi.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/f/floppydi.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/o/os.htm
  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    2/18

    vital role to play in security. Its job includes preventing unauthorized users from

    accessing the computer system.

    There are multiuser,multiprocessing,multitasking,multithreading,

    andreal-time operatingsystems. A multiuser operating system enables multiple

    users to run programs simultaneously. This type of operating system may be usedfor just a few people or hundreds of them. In fact, there are

    some operating systems that are used to allow thousands of people to run

    programs at the same time.

    2.Application Software - utilizes the capacities of a computer directly for a

    dedicated task. Application software is able to manipulate text, numbers and

    graphics. It can be in the form of software focused on a certain single task like

    word processing, spreadsheet or playing of audio and video files. Here we look at

    the application software types along with some examples of application softwareof each type.

    Different Types of Application Software

    Word Processing Software:This software enables users to create and edit

    documents. The most popular examples of this type of software are MS-Word,

    WordPad and Notepad among other text editors.

    Database Software:Database is a structured collection of data. A computerdatabase relies on database software to organize data and enable database users

    to perform database operations. Database software allows users to store and

    retrieve data from databases. Examples are Oracle, MSAccess, etc.

    Spreadsheet Software:Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples

    of spreadsheet software. Spreadsheet software allows users to perform

    calculations using spreadsheets. They simulate paper worksheets by displaying

    multiple cells that make up a grid.

    Multimedia Software:They allow users to create and play audio and video files.

    They are capable of playing media files. Audio converters, audio players, burners,

    video encoders and decoders are some forms of multimedia software. Examples

    of this type of software include Real Player and Media Player.

    http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-multiprocessing.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-multitasking.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-multithreading.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-real-time.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-real-time.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-multithreading.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-multitasking.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-multiprocessing.htm
  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    3/18

    3.Utility Software - Software utilities/Utility Software is a type of computer

    system software also referred to as service program, tool, service routine, or

    utility routine. Software Utilities are specifically designed to help the end-user

    manage and tune the computer hardware/Software, Operating system or

    application software and perform as single precise task as opposed to application

    software which performs multi-tasking. Utility software can be seen in many

    operating systems to day e.g. Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OS X etc.

    Examples of some of the commonly used utility software may include the

    following; Disk Defragmentation System Profile/Status Virus Scanners Text Editor

    Archive e.g. Winrar Compression Encryption Application Launchers

    4.Support Software -After-sales service provided byasoftwarepublisher orvendor in solving

    softwareconflicts andusabilityproblems,and in supplying updates and patches

    forbugs andsecurity holes in theprogram.

    Planning a Program

    1.Flow chart- The process of planning can be streamlined by using a flowchart. A

    flowchart can make be used to effectively map out a project through a sequence

    of stages. These stages are charted as events that are organized in a progressionformats that result in the completion of the project. Flowcharts can be created

    using a computer program like Microsoft Word. The flowchart can be customized

    by using differnt fonts and colors to highlight various planning stages in the chart.

    2.Psuedo Code- Pseudocode consists of short, English phrases used to explain

    specific tasks within a program's algorithm. Pseudocode should not include

    keywords in any specific computer languages. It should be written as a list of

    consecutive phrases. You should not use flowcharting symbols but you can draw

    arrows to show looping processes. Indentation can be used to show the logic in

    pseudocode as well. For example, a first-year, 9th grade Visual Basic programmer

    should be able to read and understand the pseudocode written by a 12th grade

    http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/after-sales-service.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/software.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/publisher.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/vendor.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/conflict.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/usability.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/problem.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/bug.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/security-hole.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/program.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/program.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/security-hole.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/bug.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/problem.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/usability.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/conflict.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/vendor.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/publisher.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/software.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/after-sales-service.html
  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    4/18

    AP Data Structures student. In fact, the VB programmer could take the other

    student's pseudocode and generate a VB program based on that pseudocode.

    Fives Generation of Language

    1.machine language-the numeric codes for the operations that a

    particularcomputer can execute directly. The codes are strings of 0s and 1s,

    orbinary digits (bits), which are frequently converted both from and to

    hexadecimal (base 16) for human viewing and modification. Machine language

    instructions typically use some bits to represent operations, such as addition, and

    some to represent operands, or perhaps the location of the next instruction.

    Machine language is difficult to read and write, since it does not resemble

    conventional mathematical notation or human language, and its codes vary from

    computer to computer.

    2.Assembly languageis one level above machine language. It uses short

    mnemonic codes for instructionsand allows the programmer to introduce names

    for blocks of memory that hold data. One might thus write add pay, total

    instead of 0110101100101000 for an instruction that adds two numbers.

    Assembly language is designed to be easily translated into machine language.

    Although blocks of data may be referred to by name instead of by their machine

    addresses, assembly language does not provide more sophisticated means oforganizing complex information. Like machine language, assembly language

    requires detailed knowledge of a particular internalcomputer architecture.It is

    useful when such details are important, as in programming a computer to interact

    withinput/output devices (printers, scanners, storage devices, and so forth).

    3. high-level language- is an advanced computer programming language that isn't

    limited by the computer, designed for a specific job, and is easier to understand.

    Today, there are dozens of high-level languages; some examples

    includeBASIC,C,FORTAN,Java,andPascal.

    4.very high-level language(VHLL) is aprogramming language with a very high

    level ofabstraction,used primarily as a professional programmer productivity

    tool.

    http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/130429/computerhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/65540/binary-number-systemhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/39243/assembly-languagehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/39243/assembly-languagehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/39243/assembly-languagehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/130583/computer-architecturehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/288883/inputoutput-devicehttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/b/basic.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/c.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/f/fortran.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/j/java.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/p/pascal.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstraction_(computer_science)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstraction_(computer_science)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_languagehttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/p/pascal.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/j/java.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/f/fortran.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/c.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/b/basic.htmhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/288883/inputoutput-devicehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/130583/computer-architecturehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/39243/assembly-languagehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/65540/binary-number-systemhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/130429/computer
  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    5/18

    Very high-level programming languages are usually limited to a very specific

    application, purpose, or type of task. For this reason, very high-level programming

    languages are often referred to as goal-oriented programminglanguages.

    An example of a very high-level programming language is themIRC scripting

    language,which is designed to extendmIRC,a popularIRC client forWindows.

    5.Natural language processing (NLP)is a field ofcomputer science,artificial

    intelligence (alsocalledmachine learning),[1]andlinguistics concerned with the

    interactions betweencomputers andhuman (natural) languages.Specifically, it is

    the process of a computer extracting meaningful information from natural

    language input and/or producing natural language output.[2]

    In theory, natural

    language processing is a very attractive method ofhumancomputer

    interaction.Natural language understanding is sometimes referred to as anAI-

    complete problem because it seems to require extensive knowledge about the

    outside world and the ability to manipulate it.

    Whether NLP is distinct from, or identical to, the field ofcomputational

    linguistics is a matter of perspective. TheAssociation for Computational

    Linguistics defines the latter as focusing on the theoretical aspects of NLP. On the

    other hand, the open-access journal "Computational Linguistics", styles itself as

    "the longest running publication devoted exclusively to the design and analysis of

    natural language processing systems"(Computational Linguistics (Journal))

    Modern NLP algorithms are grounded inmachine learning,

    especiallystatistical machine learning. Research into modern statistical NLP

    algorithms requires an understanding of a number of disparate fields,

    includinglinguistics,computer science,andstatistics.For a discussion of the types

    of algorithms currently used in NLP, see the article onpattern recognition.

    6. C language- C is a general purpose programming language developed in 1972

    by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs. Initially, there was no formal specification of C

    language. The book "The C Programming Language" by Brian Kernighan and

    Dennis Ritchie published in 1978 served as the informal specification for the first

    version of C language.

    In 1989, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) established a standard

    specification of C language called: "ANSI X3.159-1989 - Programming Language C".

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIRC_scripting_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIRC_scripting_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIRChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC_clienthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windowshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_sciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_learninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_processing#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_processing#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_processing#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_processing#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_processing#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_processing#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%E2%80%93computer_interactionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%E2%80%93computer_interactionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%E2%80%93computer_interactionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%E2%80%93computer_interactionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_understandinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI-completehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI-completehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_for_Computational_Linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_for_Computational_Linguisticshttp://www.mitpressjournals.org/loi/colihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_learninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_inferencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_sciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattern_recognitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattern_recognitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_sciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_inferencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_learninghttp://www.mitpressjournals.org/loi/colihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_for_Computational_Linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_for_Computational_Linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI-completehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI-completehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_understandinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%E2%80%93computer_interactionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%E2%80%93computer_interactionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_processing#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language_processing#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_learninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_sciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windowshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC_clienthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIRChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIRC_scripting_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIRC_scripting_language
  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    6/18

    In 1999, a major revision of ANSI C specification was published by the

    International Organization for Standardization (ISO), "ISO/IEC 9899:1999 -

    Programming Languages - C".

    Main features of C language:

    C is a procedural programming language, not an object-orientedprogramming language. C programs are organized as modules and

    functions.

    C supports low-level access to memory using address pointers. This makesC language a choice for implementing system software.

    C supports array data structure with two ways to access array elements,indexes and pointers.

    C supports dynamic memory allocation, which helps to reduce the size ofobject file generated by the compiler, and allow arrays to be declared with

    sizes determined at runtime.

    C supports a large number of library routines for input/output operations,string manipulations, mathematical functions, etc.

    C uses a header file to share declarations of variables and functions of aprogram module with other modules.

    C does not do bounds checking on arrays. This often leads to un-desiredbehaviors during program execution.

    Types of Software

    1. System software - refers to the files and programs that make up your

    computer'soperating system. System files include libraries of functions, system

    services, drivers for printers and other hardware, system preferences, and other

    configuration files. The programs that are part of the system software include

    assemblers, compilers, file management tools, system utilites, anddebuggers.

    The system software is installed on your computer when you install your

    operating system. You can update the software by running programs such as"Windows Update" for Windows or "Software Update" for Mac OS X.

    Unlikeapplication programs,however, system software is not meant to be run by

    the end user. For example, while you might use your Web browser every day, you

    probably don't have much use for an assembler program (unless, of course, you

    are a computer programmer).

    http://www.techterms.com/definition/operating_systemhttp://www.techterms.com/definition/debuggerhttp://www.techterms.com/definition/applicationhttp://www.techterms.com/definition/applicationhttp://www.techterms.com/definition/debuggerhttp://www.techterms.com/definition/operating_system
  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    7/18

    Since system software runs at the most basic level of your computer, it is called

    "low-level" software. It generates the user interface and allows the operating

    system to interact with the hardware. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about

    what the system software is doing since it just runs in the background. It's nice to

    think you are working at a "high-level" anyway.

    2.Application softwareis a defined subclass of computer software that employs

    the capabilities of acomputer directly to a task that the user wishes to perform.

    This should be contrasted with system software whichis involved in integrating a

    computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the

    performance of tasks that benefit the user.

    The term application refers to both the application software and its

    implementation. A simple, if imperfect, analogy in the world of hardware would

    be the relationship of an electric light - an application - to an electric power

    generation plant - the system.

    The power plant merely generates electricity, itself not really of any use until

    harnessed to an application like the electric light which performs a service that

    the user desires.

    Typical examples of software applications are word processors, spreadsheets, and

    media players.

    Exploring Popular Operating System

    1.Unixis a powerful, multi-user environment that has been implemented on a

    variety of platforms. Once thedomain of servers and advanced users, it has

    become accessible to novices as well through the popularity of Linux and Mac OS

    X. With the notable exception of Microsoft Windows, all current major operating

    systems have some kind of Unix at their cores.

    Unix was developed at Bell Labs in 1969, but in the past three decades many

    others have contributed to its evolution. In reality, Unix is not so much a single

    operating system as it is a standard upon which organizations and companiesbase their own systems. Examples of Unix implementations include Mac OS

    X/Darwin (Apple), GNU/Linux, AIX (IBM), Solaris (Sun), IRIX (SGI), and FreeBSD.

    They have different graphical interfaces, but from the Unix shell, a command line

    feature common to all versions, they are very similar.

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    8/18

    Most of the UITS shared central systems at Indiana University are Unix servers

    and workstations, including Big Red (research; no email) and Quarry (general use,

    research; no email).

    As with other operating systems, there are many kinds of applications availableon a Unix system. Email, newsreading, programming, statistics, and graphics are

    some of the areas for which Unix software exists. Unix was once distinct from

    other operating systems because of its high level of integration with the network

    and its multi-user environment. Each user who logs in can have an environment

    distinct from that of any other user. In recent years, however, this distinction has

    blurred as other operating systems have developed these capacities. With the

    introduction of Mac OS X and the increasing popularity of free Unix systems like

    Linux and FreeBSD, as well as advanced interfaces based on the X Window

    System, more individuals are also using Unix as the operating system for theirpersonal workstations.

    2.Ms DOS-Short for Microsoft Disk operating system, MS-DOSis a non-graphical

    command line operating system derived from 86-DOS that was created for IBM

    compatible computers. MS-DOS originally written byTim Patersonand introduced

    byMicrosoftin August1981and was last updated in1994when MS-DOS 6.22 was

    released. Today, MS-DOS is no longer used; however, the command shell, more

    commonly known as the Windows command lineis still used by many users. In thepicture to the right, is an example of what a MS-DOS window more appropriately

    referred to as the Windows command line looks like under MicrosoftWindows.

    Today, most computer users are only familiar with how to navigate Microsoft

    Windows using themouse.Unlike Windows, MS-DOS is a command-line and is

    navigated by using MS-DOS commands. For example, if you wanted to see all the

    files in a folder in Windows you would double-click the folder to open the folder in

    Windows Explorer. In MS-DOS, to view that same folder you would navigate to the

    folder using thecd commandand then list the files in that folder using thedircommand.

    3.Mac OS-was named by the company Apple as "Mac System Software" in the

    beginning, a specially designed operating system only for 68K first Motorola

    processors. With own Macintosh hardware, Mac OS takes up a special role in the

    world of desktop systems. The first version was "System 1" and appeared bundled

    http://www.computerhope.com/people/tim_paterson.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/people/tim_paterson.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/people/tim_paterson.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/comp/msoft.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/comp/msoft.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/comp/msoft.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/198090.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/198090.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/198090.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/1994.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/1994.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/1994.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/windows.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/windows.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/windows.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mouse.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mouse.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mouse.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/cdhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/cdhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/cdhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/dirhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/dirhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/dirhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/dirhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/dirhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/dirhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/cdhlp.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mouse.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/windows.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/1994.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/198090.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/comp/msoft.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/people/tim_paterson.htm
  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    9/18

    with the Mac in 1984. The classic desktop is designed as a single user operating

    system and almost completely hides the full path to files and directories. The

    graphic representation is reduced to the essence. Overall the interface is very

    easy to use and does not need the right mouse button for user interaction. Mac

    OS does not include a command line interface.

    Starting with System 3.0, the used filesystem HFS was used officially, which does

    not different between uppercase and lowercase letters. System 5.0 was the first

    release to run several programs with the integrated MultiFinder at the same time.

    The operating system was programmed up to system 6.0 mostly in assembler and

    partially in Pascal and used a 24-bit addressing mode. Cooperative Multi-tasking

    could optionally be enabled in System 6. System 7.0 first supported 32-bit

    addressing. Thus allow the operating system can use more memory and more

    powerful programs. Since 1994 System 7.5 supported for the first time thePowerPC architecture and is optimized with the following Mac OS versions further

    on this architecture. With System software 7.6 the name was changed to Mac OS

    in January 1997.

    The optimization of the operating system to the hardware has the disadvantage

    that the system software can not be installed on every Mac. Application

    compatibility to the Mac systems may also vary with each version.

    2006 MacOS X was presented for the first time publicly on x86 hardware, Appleallows the use of Mac OS X only on specific intel-Macintosh systems. According to

    Steve Jobs Mac OS X have been developed since 2000 internally parallel for Intel

    and PowerPC processors. The version of Mac OS X 10.6.0 raised the optimization

    to Intel-based processors further, the new operating system is no longer available

    for PowerPC Macintosh or pure 32-bit intel processors. In return the user receives

    a pure 64-bit operating system optimized for performance on multiple processors.

    Even the GPU computing power itself can be used with specific applications.

    The selection of software is focused on the creative industry and enables such asthe professional graphic, audio and video editing. Office applications such as

    MacWrite, Microsoft Office, OpenOffice and 3D games are also available. The

    choice of browsers is large with iCab, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape,

    Opera and Mozilla Firefox. StuffIt is the standard software for file compression.

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    10/18

    4.Microsoft Window 3x-Released in1990,Microsoft Windows 3.0 was a

    revolutionary operating system for the PC as one of the most used GUI operating

    systems.

    Later Windows 3.1 was released in1992 byMicrosoft and was one of the firstmajor PC GUI operating systems widely used. Windows 3.1 allowed users to

    utilize several features previously not available inMS-DOS.Some of these new

    features were the use of a mouse that allowed the user to navigate and

    manipulate data on the computer with one hand and now did not have to

    memorize MS-DOS commands. In addition to the mouse, Windows now allowed

    the user to multitask, meaning the user could now run multiple applications at

    once without having to close out of each program before running another.

    Windows along with other GUI operating systems are one of the many reasons

    computers have become easier and more widely used.

    5.Windows 95The new Windows operating system with the internal version 4.0 is

    the successor of Windows 3.11 and brings a completely new design of the

    interface and of the kernel with it. 32-bit applications are supported fully, DOS

    applications can also virtually be used now in a DOS box, furthermore 16-bits of

    programs are supported. Windows 95 to ME still needs DOS for the loading up

    program and for the DOS box. New hardware is comfortably recognized by plug

    and play, the memory management was developed further considerably.

    Important part of Windows 95 is the Registry now, which is responsible for the

    system behaviour like file assoziation, program parameter, driver software,

    system configuration and others. The Registry consists of the files system.dat and

    user.dat, these are located in the Windows directory. The files system.ini and

    win.ini are less important but are necessary for the system start furthermore. For

    user profiles one user.dat is placed in each user directory and loaded upon login

    of the user for the individual user settings.

    DOS driver software are no longer necessary in compare to Windows 3.x by now,the driver software model was changed and the hardware is used through virtual

    device drivers (*.VxD) directly under Windows.

    Features

    - plug and play, high number of device drivers

    - high compatibility to DOS, Windows 3.x

    http://www.computerhope.com/history/1990.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/1992.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/comp/msoft.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/msdos.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/msdos.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/comp/msoft.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/1992.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/history/1990.htm
  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    11/18

    - high number of software

    - no multiprocessing

    - low local/network security

    - old system architecture (16-bit software compatibility)

    - badly scalable

    6.Windows 98Microsoft announced with this new system software Version 4.10the revised version of Windows 95. The operating system Windows 98 contains as

    innovation mainly detail improvements and bug fixes. The hardware component

    is enhanced with USB support improved and the operation of several monitors is

    possible now. Windows 98 is prepared for DVD movies, for the view of DVD

    Movies a separate software must be installed.

    The update to the newest Windows Release is supported if Windows 3. x or

    Windows 95 is already installed.

    As a file system for the installation of Windows 98 FAT32 is recommended. If the

    access to other file systems is needed are tools of third party manufacturers

    required which usually offer a free software with read access. Such tools are

    available for NTFS and the Linux file system ext2. For the professional file system

    NTFS exists a driver of Sysinternals which is integrated after the installation in the

    operating system. For the successful installation system files are needed by

    Windows NT.

    Features

    - extended support for the connection to networks

    - integrated Internet Explorer 4.0

    - web optimized, networking through VPN

    - Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

    Structure informations

    - 32-bit operating system, with 16 Bit Code

    - up to 512 mbyte RAM adressable

    - File size up to 4 gbyte

    7.Windows CE-is based on Windows 95 with the usual interface, adapted for

    small devices. The development for this operating system under the code name

    Pegasus began in 1995. Specially designed for micro-computers, the abbreviation

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    12/18

    CE stands informal for "Compact Edtion". These microcomputers are known as

    handheld computer or personal digital assistant (PDA). The first version of

    Windows CE requires as a minimum 4 MB of ROM, 2 MB of RAM and a processor

    of the SuperH3, MIPS 3000 or MIPS 4000 architecture. One of the first devices for

    Windows CE 1.0 which was the HP 300 LX, came on the market on 16thNovember 1996. The operating system is not sold separately and always tied to

    the device unit shipped by original equipment manufactures. The resolution of

    the touch screen is 640x240 pixels and corresponds to the half-VGA resolution.

    For synchronizing data between mobile device and desktop computer, the

    software "Handheld PC Explorer" is used.

    8.Windows 2000Microsoft released this new Windows version 5.0, Build 2195 inFebruary 2000. It is the desktop operating system of the new Windows 2000

    platform for x86 architecture and be completed by the versions Windows 2000

    Server, Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Windows 2000 Datacenter Server. As

    a minimum requierement for the installation a Pentium processor, 32 mbyte main

    memory and 650 mbyte of free hard disk storage are needed. Microsoft had

    planned to develop also a operating system version for the Alpha architecture,

    the plans were stopped after an announcement of Compaq. Compaq restricted

    the support to Windows NT 4.0 with service pack 6 and not higher at 1999-08-25.

    Microsoft stopped the development plans for the Windows 2000 32- bit of Alpha

    version after that.

    Windows 2000 unites defined roughly the user-friendliness, pug & play and USB

    device support of Windows 98 and the safety and stability of the Windows NT

    family. The update to this new operating system is possible from Windows 95, 98

    and Windows NT 3.51, 4.0. It is a multitasking, multiprocessing operating system

    and supports up to 2 processors of the x86 32- bit and 64 bit architecture with

    SMP. Threads or processes can choose between the available processors. Beside

    the complete revision new features and many improvements are integrated. The

    result is high compatibility, simplified administration, increased hardware support

    with over 7,000 devices, file administration and extended security functions.

    Applications for Windows 9x are only supported restrictedly. The installation is

    possible from CD-ROM or over the network from a file server. The virtual

    addressable storage is 4 gbyte and is managed by the Virtual Memory manager

    (VMM). VMM assigns the addressable storage on the actually available physical

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    13/18

    memory and the memory page file (pagefile.sys) on hard disk.

    The field of application of this operating system is suitable as a single user

    computer or as a client in company networks. The operating system is enhanced

    with the game interface DirectX 7.0, the Internet Explorer 5.0 made access to theInternet possible. Windows 2000 authenticates the user first at the access to files,

    printers or other computers. Networks are supported with the protocols TCP/IP,

    NWLink and AppleTalk. Windows 2000 supports the data interchange in

    decentralised working groups and central domains.

    9.Windows XPThe Windows eXPerience operating system is available as homeand professional edition and are similar suitable for the use on standalone

    computers. The home edition is suitable for user which worked with Windows

    9x/ME till now and don't need special network or security features in theireenvironment. If the user have used Windows NT/2000 private, in business or

    both, the Professional Edition is not only with a view of the administration

    optimally. Microsoft already encloses 10,000 drivers on the installation media of

    Windows XP, about the Windows update further more 2,000 drivers are

    available.

    The Professional Edition of Windows XP has more network features than

    theHome Edition. An update of Windows 9 x/ME is possible, with Windows

    NT/2000 only the Professional Edition can be used for update. Optional FAT32and NTFS are available as a file system for the installation partition.

    Windows XP (Windows version 5.1) becomes a predecessor of Windows 9x/ME as

    well as Windows NT/2000 and is available for 32-bits CPUs in the following

    versions:

    - Embedded

    - Home Edition (1 CPU) for private user (Oct. 2001)

    - Professional Edition (2 CPU) for business user (Oct. 2001)- Media Center (1 CPU) especially for multimedia devices (Nov. 2002)

    - Tablet PC Edition especially for Tablet PCs (Nov. 2002)

    - Server Edition (4 CPU)

    - Advanced Server (8 CPU), also 64-bit Intel CPUs

    - Microsoft Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs (July 2007)

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    14/18

    A 64-bit version of Windows XP was announced officially of Microsoft in April

    2003. The RC2 was available in February 2005. Windows XP Professional x64 was

    published in April 2005. At most 16 gbyte RAM are utilizably with that, the virtual

    address range enlarges to 16 tbyte.

    Same will be the product activation at all versions, which is needed at every new

    installation or extensive upgrade of the PC devices. Company customers can use

    an so-called Corporated version by a special licensing option without this product

    activation.

    As the most visual innovation the revised Windows interface with the new design

    is well done, the design called Luna (as of beta 2428) can display window

    elements in high colour. The return to the interface as of Windows 2000 is further

    possible. The representation and organisation of the central registry is quit thesame as used in Windows 2000.

    10.Windows VistaMicrosoft published the new product name Vista for this newWindows Version on an event in the USA/Atlanta on 21-07-2005. This Windows

    Version was known under the development name Longhorn before. The

    installation of Vista is based on WIM (Windows Imaging format), a file-based

    Image Format. It compresses the contained files and can be used for the

    installation on several platforms from the same Image. The image on the DVD

    contains a pre-installation of the system directories of Windows in the WindowsImaging (.WIM) file and adapts to the hardware configuration. With the User

    State Migration Toolkit the user defined settings can be imported of Windows

    2000 and Windows XP. An advantage of WIM images is the easy integration of

    new drivers and updates, the LZX compression provides the smallest file size and

    XPress compression the fastest compression. The installation DVD of Windows

    Vista already contains about 16,000 drivers, the Windows update offers further

    14,000 drivers for supported hardware. There is no licence key during the

    Windows Vista installation necessary, in this case it start with a 30 days trial

    license. After this time period the activation of the operating system is inevitablywith the Internet Explorer, after the start-up Windows opens only this window for

    activation. Windows Vista contains DRM technology for the playback of protected

    multimedia files.

    Microsoft published at the 26.05.2009 the second service pack for Windows Vista

    for the download. The download size is depending of the chosen language and

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    15/18

    architecture with at least 302 MByte, via automatic update at least with 43

    MByte. The Service Pack 1 is required for installation. The installation packages

    exist separately for 32-bit, 64-bit and IA64 processor architectures. 836 issues

    became fixed for Windows Vista is and Server 2008. The most important changes

    include:

    improved program compatibility improved power management Windows Search 4.0 Support for 64-bit CPU VIA Technologies Burning Blu-ray media

    Improved support for eSATA drives Bluetooth stereo headphones now possible RSS feed sidebar improved in performance and response times Limit of 10 half open, outgoing TCP connections removed

    11.Windows 7Microsoft has worked under the code name Windows 7 on the

    successor of Windows Vista since approximately August 2007. The new operating

    system is based on Windows Vista and comes with new programme functions andimprovements in detail. Steve Ballmer talked with a keynote onto the Gartner

    Symposium IT 2008 on October 16th, 2008, that Windows 7 one Windows Vista is

    but with numerous improvements. It shall be release after 2.5 years development

    time as a new Windows major release. The version number is not increased to 7.0

    but to 6.1 for compatibility reasons. Through this Microsoft wants to prevent

    problems with programmes which checks the version number. Microsoft

    introduced the first Windows 7 test release with the build 6801 on the

    Professional Developer Conference in Los Angeles on October 28th, 2008.

    Basic data of Windows 7:

    64 bit and 32 bit version

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    16/18

    Kernel is based on "MinWin", introduced by Eric Traut in October 2007 new graphic system improved language and handwriting recognition, useable over touch screen new user interface new program menues, with a recent list of the latests file and program

    functions used

    Windows XP mode (Windows 7 Professional or higher)

    The first Windows 7 Release Candidate build 7100 appeared on April 21st, 2009.

    The operating system can be tested for 30 days without product activation.

    Microsoft refer as minimum requirements a computer with 1 ghz CPU, 1 gbyte

    main memory, 16 gbyte free storage and a DirectX 9 graphics card with a WDDM

    1.0 driver or higher. Microsoft cooperates closely with Intel so that Windows 7can use Hyper-threading still better.

    The Release Candidate contains the Windows Media Player 12, Internet Explorer

    8 and the Windows Defender 6.1. Optionally the Windows XP Mode (XPM) can be

    downloaded from the Microsoft web site for testing purpose. This promises users

    of Windows 7 Professional and higher to start some older productive Windows XP

    applications directly from the Windows 7 desktop. To this an configured, virtual

    image of Windows XP is installed with Windows Virtual PC. Requirement for the

    hardware virtualization is a computer with Intel-VT or AMD-V processor.

    Otherwise the XPM will not start. For a fast working are 2 gbyte of main memoryand additional 15 gbyte of free hard disk storage recommended.

    12.Windows 2010

    Despite Windows 2010 not yet having been released, the Microsoft art

    department has been working away at various packaging prototypes. After the

    successful 1999 launch of Windows 2000, the art team tried to avoid doing any

    work by simply rebranding the old Windows 2000 box every year the product got

    delayed. However, after higher-ups in the company discovered many members of

    the art department were spending their time playing Solitaire instead of working

    on new designs, the art department was instructed to depart from the old

    Windows 2000 theme and come up with a more radical design for Windows

    Codename X's packaging.

    While redesigning the packaging, one of the art designers stumbled upon the

    ingenious idea of having a clean black box with only the Microsoft logo and an "X"

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    17/18

    on the front to represent 2010's codename. The new packaging design was met

    with praise from Microsoft users around the globe and the designers were soon

    back to their Solitaire games.

    Many Macintosh users have been quick to point out that the entire package

    appears to be a rebranded Mac OS Panther box, which had the exact same "X" onthe front of its box. However, Microsoft once again denied claims of copying

    Apple's ideas with this statement:

    The new packaging designed for Windows 2010 Codename "X" is an original

    Microsoft design. Microsoft strives for innovation and does not approve of copying

    any ideas from other companies, whether those companies are Apple, Xerox, or

    Seattle Computer Products.

    ~ Microsoft Bob on Windows 2010's new Codename "X" packaging design

    However, Apple did not seem to buy this argument and brought Microsoft tocourt for trademark infringement. The lawsuit wasted large quantities of time for

    many Microsoft executives and ended up costing Microsoft $5.2 million to buy off

    the judge.

  • 8/14/2019 Computer System Software.docx

    18/18

    Research Paper

    in ICT 101

    Mark charls M. Dela cruz

    BSMT 11 A-4