VISUAL SUMMARY System Software

SYSTEM SOFTWARE OPERATING SYSTEMS

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Microsoft Corporation
System software works with end users, application pro-
grams, and computer hardware to handle many details
Operating systems (software environments, software
relating to computer operations.
platforms) handle technical details.
Not a single program but a collection or system of pro-
grams, these programs handle hundreds of technical
Functions
details with little or no user intervention.
Four kinds of systems programs are operating systems, Functions include managing resources, providing a user
utilities, device drivers, and language translators. interface (graphical user interface, or GUI, provides visual
interface; voice assist tools accept spoken commands),
• Operating systems coordinate resources, provide an inter- and running applications. Multitasking allows switching
face between users and the computer, and run programs.
between different applications stored in memory; current
• Utilities perform specific tasks related to managing programs run in the foreground; other programs run in
computer resources. the background.
• Device drivers allow particular input or output devices
to communicate with the rest of the computer system. Features
• Language translators convert programming instruc- Booting starts (cold) or restarts (warm) a computer system.
tions written by programmers into a language that The desktop provides access to computer resources. Com-
computers can understand and process. mon features include icons, pointers, windows, menus,
tabs, dialog boxes, help, and gesture control. Data and
programs are stored in a system of files and folders.

Categories
Three categories of operating systems are
• Embedded—also known as real-time operating systems
(RTOS); used with handheld computers; operating sys-
tem stored within the device.
• Stand-alone (desktop)—controls a single computer;
located on the hard disk.
• Network (NOS)—controls and coordinates networked
computers; located on the network server.
Operating systems are often called software environ-
Microsoft Corporation ments or software platforms.

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 operating systems and utility programs.

MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEMS DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEMS

Microsoft Corporation

Windows
Windows is designed to run with many different micro-
processors. The most recent version is Windows 11.
Windows 11 was introduced in 2021. It includes the abil-
ity to run mobile Android apps; improved innovations for
manaemedia/Shutterstock; Cincila/Shutterstock mobile computing; and integration of instant messaging,
videoconferencing, and collaborative work tools.
macOS
Mobile operating systems (mobile OS) are embedded in macOS, an innovative, powerful, easy-to-use operating
every cell phone and tablet. These systems are less compli- system, runs on Macintosh computers. macOS 12 Mon-
cated and more specialized for wireless communication terey was introduced in 2021 and includes improved
than desktop operating systems. videoconferencing, notification customization, and the
Some of the best known are Google’s Android and ability to use one mouse and keyboard across multiple
Apple’s iOS. devices.
• Android was developed by Google and is based on the
Linux operating system. It is used as the operating sys-
tem for some of the most popular cell phone lines,
including the Samsung Galaxy S1 Ultra and Google
Pixel 4a.
• iOS was developed by Apple and is based on macOS.
It is used as the platform for Apple’s mobile devices,
the iPad and iPhone.
Not all mobile applications will run on all cell phones.
That is because an app is designed to run on a particular
software platform or operating system. Before download-
ing an app, be sure that it is designed to run with the
mobile operating system on your mobile device.

Apple, Inc.

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DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEMS UTILITIES

Linux

UNIX and Linux

UNIX was originally designed to run on minicomputers in
network environments. Now, it is widely used by servers
on the web, mainframe computers, and very powerful per- Norton
sonal computers. There are many different versions of
Operating System Utilities
UNIX. One version, Linux, a popular and powerful alter-
Utilities are specialized programs designed to make com-
native to the Windows operating system, is open-source
puting easier. The most essential follow:
software. Google’s Chrome OS is based on Linux. It inte-
grates with web servers to run applications and to per-
• Search programs provide a quick and easy way to
search or examine an entire computer system to locate
form other traditional operating system functions. Chrome
applications, data, or other files.
OS is a popular choice for inexpensive notebook comput-
ers using cloud computing and cloud storage. One limita- • Storage management programs help solve the prob-
tion of these computers is that their efficiency is lem of running out of storage space by providing lists
dependent upon the speed of their Internet connection. of programs file.
• Backup programs make copies of files to be used in
Virtualization case the originals are lost or damaged.
Virtualization allows a single physical computer to sup- • Antivirus programs guard against viruses or other
port multiple operating systems. Virtualization software damaging programs.
(Parallels and VMware) allows the single physical com- • Troubleshooting (diagnostic) programs recognize and
puter to operate as two or more separate and independent correct problems.
computers known as virtual machines. Host operating • Virtual assistants accept commands through text or
systems run on the physical machine. Guest operating speech and coordinate personal data across multiple
systems operate on virtual machines. Parallels creates and applications.
runs virtual machines on Apple’s macOS X.
Utility Suites
Utility suites combine several programs into one package.
Computer viruses are dangerous programs.

CAREERS in IT
Computer support specialists provide technical support
to customers and other users. Degrees in computer sci-
ence or information systems are preferred plus good ana-
lytical and communication skills. Expected salary range is
$43,040 to $68,060.

Microsoft Corporation

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 KEY TERMS
.

Android (90) mobile OS (90)

antivirus program (93) multitasking (88)
background (88) network operating system (NOS) (89)
Backup (98) network server (89)
backup program (93, 98) open source (92)
booting (88) operating system (86, 87)
Chrome OS (92) pointer (88)
cold boot (88) real-time operating system (RTOS) (89)
computer support specialist (99) search program (93, 96)
Cortana (93) Siri (93)
desktop (88) software environment (89)
desktop operating system (89) software platform (89)
device driver (86) stand-alone operating system (89)
diagnostic program (93) storage management program (93, 97)
dialog box (87) system software (86)
embedded operating system (89) tab (89)
file (89) troubleshooting program (93)
folder (89) UNIX (92)
foreground (88) user interface (87)
gesture control (89) utilities (86, 93)
graphical user interface (GUI) (87) utility suite (99)
guest operating system (92) virtual assistant (93)
help (89) virtualization (92)
host operating system (92) virtualization software (93)
icon (88) virtual machine (93)
iOS (90) virus (99)
language translator (86) voice assist tool (87)
Linux (92) warm boot (88)
macOS (91) window (89)
macOS 12 Monterey (91) Windows (91)
menu (89) Windows 11 (91)
mobile operating system (90)

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MULTIPLE CHOICE
Circle the correct answer.

1. Programs that perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources.

a. troubleshooting c. virtual
b. translators d. utilities
2. Restarting a running computer without turning off the power.
a. cold boot c. multitasking
b. warm boot d. virtualization
3. Type of operating system that controls and coordinates networked computers.
a. iOS c. mobile OS
b. NOS d. Chrome OS
4. An operating system is often referred to as the software environment or software
_______.
a. interface c. platform
b. driver d. suite
5. Switching among different applications.
a. multitasking c. platforming
b. multicore d. virtualization
6. A type of software that allows a single physical computer to operate as though it were
two or more separate and independent computers.
a. virtualization c. embedded operating system
b. multitasking d. platform
7. Mobile operating system that is owned by Google and is widely used in many cell
phones.
a. Android c. Windows
b. macOS d. iOS
8. Type of program that guards computer systems from viruses and other damaging
programs.
a. embedded operating system c. background
b. antivirus d. storage management
9. The operating system operating on each virtual machine _______.
a. embedded c. mobile
b. UNIX d. guest
10. Monterey is the name of which type of operating system?
a. iOS c. macOS
b. Windows d. Chrome OS

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 MATCHING
Match each numbered item with the most closely related lettered item. Write your answers in
the spaces provided.

a. Chrome 1. This is an essential utility program that provides a

b. iOS quick and easy way to find a specific application or
c. system other file.
d. translators 2. Examples of this include Bitdefender and Norton.
e. icon 3. This is the ability to switch between different appli-
cations stored in memory.
f. pointer
4. Graphic representation for a program, type of file,
g. multitasking
or function.
h. antivirus program
5. Essential utility that protects against damaging pro-
i. search programs grams that can invade your computer system.
j. utility suites 6. This operating system feature is controlled by a
mouse and changes shape depending on its current
function.
7. This type of software works with users, application
software, and computer hardware to handle the
majority of technical details.
8. The programs that convert programming instruc-
tions written by programmers into a language that
computers understand and process are language
_______.
9. The operating system based on Linux, designed for
notebook computers that use cloud computing and
cloud storage.
10. The mobile operating system developed by Apple.

OPEN-ENDED
On a separate sheet of paper, respond to each question or statement.

1. Describe system software. Discuss each of the four types of system programs.
2. Define operating systems. Describe the basic features and the three categories of operat-
ing systems.
3. What are mobile operating systems? Describe the leading mobile operating systems.
4. What are desktop operating systems? Compare Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome
OS. Discuss virtualization.
5. Discuss utilities. What are the most essential utilities? What is a utility suite?

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