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Computer Literacy In:
System Software
Ashley Lanning
California State University, Fresno
Fall, 2005
Contents

System Software
 Operating Systems
 Utilities
 Device Drivers
 Language Translators
2
O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.
System Software

Definition(s):
1. “System software is a generic term referring to any computer
software whose purpose it is to help run the computer system. Most of
it is responsible directly for controlling, integrating, and managing the
the individual components of a computer system.”
(Wikipedia, 2005)
2. “System software works with end users, application software, and
computer hardware to handle the majority of technical details.”
(O’Leary, 2006)

System software is responsible for such processes as:
– Loading and running programs
– Routine maintenance
– Transferring data (saving data from a word
program to your folders or files)
– As well as countless other applications that go
on behind the scenes
3
O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.

System software is not a single program, but instead a group of programs
that handle the technical details of your computer.

Learning how system software operates will provide you with the
necessary information towards becoming an effective and skilled end user.

The Four Types of System
Software are:
1. Operating Systems
2. Utilities
(a.k.a. Service Programs)
3. Device Drivers
4. Language Translators
4
O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Operating Systems

Definition: “An operating system is a collection of programs that handle many of the
technical details related to using the computer.”
– i.e. Windows, Mac OS, and Linux

OS’s often referred to as Software Environment or Platform
Proprietary OS’s: owned & licensed by a corporation.
Nonproprietary OS’s: provided to outside individuals
(Open Source) - encouraged to modify systems.



Functions
1. Managing Resources: coordinate resources (memory, storage, devices - printers);
monitor performance; schedule jobs; provide security; & start up the computer.
2. Providing User Interface: end users interact with applications & hardware
through user interface; old - written; new - graphical user interface (GUI).
3. Running Applications: load & run applications (i.e. Microsoft word).
- Multitasking: foreground v. background
5
O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Features
– Booting: warm vs. cold
– Desktop: icons; pointer; windows; menus; dialogue boxes; help;
files; folders

Categories of Operating Systems
– Embedded OS: handheld computers
(PDA’s); operating system is embedded
within the device on ROM or memory
chips.
– Network OS: used to control and
coordinate computers that are networked or
linked together; network server.
– Stand-Alone OS: (aka Desktop OS)
control a single desktop or notebook
computer; OS is located on hard disk.
6
O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Windows

– Most popular microcomputer
operating system
– Over 90% of the market
– More application software made for
this operating system than any other
– Latest Release: Windows XP; uses
an interface called Luna
– Focuses on functions rather than
programs (buttons labeled email
rather than Microsoft Outbox)

Unix and Linux
Mac OS
– First introduced in 1984
– One of the 1st GUI’s, making it
easy even for a novice
– Designed to run with Apple
– Not as widely used; not as many
application programs
– Considered to be one of the innovative
operating systems
– Popular with professional graphics
artists
– Latest Release: Mac OS X; uses an
interface called Aqua
– Focuses on photo-quality icons
and easy-to-use menus
– Originally made for microcomputers to run in network
environments; now used for powerful microcomputers
– Linux is a popular recent version; alternative to Windows
– Open source software: free and available from many internet
sources
– Others are encouraged to modify and further develop the
operating code
7
O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Utilities

Definition: “Utilities are
specialized programs designed to
make computing easier.”

Most Essential Utilities on Your
Computer Are:
– Troubleshooting/Diagnostic:
recognize & correct problems
– Antivirus: guard your computer against viruses & other damaging
programs
– Uninstall: allows safe & complete removal of unneeded programs & files
– Backup: make copies of files in case originals are lost
– File Compression: reduce the size of files to open more storage space
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O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Windows Utilities
– Backup: included with most versions of Windows; protects you
from the effects of disk failure
– Disk Cleanup: trouble-shooting utility that finds and deletes
nonessential files.
• This clears up needed disk space and
improves the systems performance
– Disk Storage: files are stored on a disks’
tracks & sectors
• Tracks are the concentric rings on a disk,
these rings are divided by wedge-shaped
sections called Sectors
• Your system tries to save each file on a single track, when this
is not possible the file is broken or Fragmented into smaller
pieces and placed where space is available
– After a while the disk becomes too fragmented, this slows
performance and your Disk Defragmenter utility is needed
• This utility finds and deletes unneeded fragments, it then
rearranges files and space for optimal performance
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O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Utility Suites: combine
several programs into a single
package
– Less expensive
– Provide a variety of
utilities
– Norton Anti-Virus is one of
the most widely used suites

Norton Anti-Virus Suite
– Collection of anti-virus
programs that protect your
computer from over 21,000
different viruses
– Norton CleanSweep: guide
you through the process of
safely removing programs, etc
– Web CleanUp: check your
computer for unneeded files
– Connection Keep Alive:
prevents dial-up from timing
out
– GoBack Personal Edition:
restores system configurations
– Norton Utilities: fix problems,
improve performance, etc.
• One Button Checkup:
correlates several separate
troubleshooting programs
O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.
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Device Drivers

Definition: “a device driver or simply a driver, works
with the operating system to allow communication
between the device and the rest of the computer system.”
– Mouse, Keyboard, Printer, Webcam, etc.

All device drivers are uploaded upon every startup
 A new device driver must be installed before any device can be used
 Windows provides assistance called wizards
– Add Printer Wizard: step-by-step guidance for selecting the
appropriate printer driver and installing that driver
 If your computer is acting unpredictably you might try reinstalling or
updating your device drivers to solve the problem
– Windows Update
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O’Leary, T.J.& L.I. O’Leary. (2006) Computing Essentials. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Language
Translators

Definition: “language translators convert the programming
instructions written by programmers into a language that computers
understand and process.”

Every program has it’s own translator
that uses codes to tell it how to
function

Websites, Application Programs, etc
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Review





The 4 types of systems software are:
– Operating systems
– Utilities
– Device drivers
– Language translators
The 3 functions of an operating system are:
– Managing resources
– Providing User Interface
– Running Applications
Utilities help maintain your systems performance and make operating easier.
Device drivers are programs that act as a communicator between the device
and the computer.
Language translators explain code to computers that programmers use to
create programs.
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Thank you!
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