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BTEC IT Unit 02 - Lesson 06
Computer Software
Mr L Challenor
ICT Teacher
www.learnITwithMrC.co.uk
Task Objectives
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Understand the role of the Operating Systems and common
examples,
Know the differences between CLI and GUI operating
systems,
Understand the role of device drivers,
Know different types of utility software that are used to keep
computers systems running smoothly.
Software Overview
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A useful way of looking at the types of software used in a
computer is:
Operating System
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Provides two classes of service:
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Provides access to the computer hardware and peripheral devices,
Provides an Application Program Interface (API) so application
software can be displayed, print, communicate with the world and
store data.
The operating system includes a number of accessory programs
which offer machine and peripheral management, security and
file management.
Two types of operating system:
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Command Line Interface (CLI)
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
CLI Characteristics
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Text based interface with a command prompt,
The user types in instructions at the command point using a
keyboard,
The operating system then responds to the commands keyed
in,
When the instruction had been processed doing the command
prompt would reappear ready for the next instruction,
A high level of knowledge is required to remember and
construct the commands.
GUI Characteristics
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Graphical based interface made up of WIMPs – Windows,
Icons, Menus and Pointers,
Users enter commands by
clicking on an option in a menu,
pressing a button or completing
boxes on a form,
The interface is far more userfriendly and it opened up the
use of computers to people who
had not learnt how to program a
computer or can’t remember a
lots of commands.
CLI vs GUI
Common Operating Systems
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UNIX – Command Line
DOS – Command Line (PC-DOS – IBM, MS-DOS – Microsoft)
Linux – Command Line - Ubuntu – GUI
Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7
Novell Netware – Command Line With GUI Applications
Windows NT, 2000, 2003, 2008 Server – GUI
MAC OS – classic version 1984 - 2001
MAC OS X – first stable release 2001, current version v10.7 (Lion)
OS Choice Factors
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Does the operating system let you customise what you see on
the screen and how you interact with the computer?
Does it provide support for connectivity of portable media?
What provisions are there to ensure tight security of the
computer system?
What guarantees do you have of stability and reliability?
How easy is it to manage the computer system?
What utilities are included?
How much does it cost?
What after sales support is on offer for the user?
Device Drivers
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In order for the OS to function correctly it must be able to
communicate with all hardware devices attached to the
computer,
A device driver are instructions for the OS on how to
communicate with each device,
In order for a piece of hardware to work properly its own driver
needs installing – it also must be the correct version for the
operating system you are running,
In windows you control device drivers within device manager –
part of the control panel
Task 2[P2, M1]
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You need to make notes about the tasks which operating systems enable us
to do and compare different operating systems within perhaps a table.
Features and functions to discuss include:
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machine and peripheral management, security, file management, device drivers,
ability to customize, support for connectivity of portable media, stability and
reliability, ease of management, associated utilities, cost and support for the user
P2 - Explain the purpose of operating systems
M1 - Compare the features and functions of different operating systems
• For P2, you should outline the basic functions of operating systems in general,
explaining how they are used to facilitate users.
• For M1, you must review the features and functions of different operating systems.
Learners will need to present a comparison of selected operating systems,
summarising their respective strengths and weaknesses in context.
Outline
P2
What is an operating system for
why needed / what is its purpose
What services do operating systems provide
things that it allows users to do
Different types of operating system
CLI / GUI - =ve / -ve of each
Examples of different operating system brands
M1
Table comparing the features of different operating systems with a
conclusion about the +ves / -ves of each
Feature
Features from slide 9 & any others you
can think of
Overall Benefits (+ves)
Overall Limitations (-ves)
OS 1
OS2
OS3 etc