Principles of Information Technology Understanding Types & Uses of Software

Lesson Objectives Define operating systems software Identify fundamentals of operating systems software Define application software Identify components of operating systems software Identify open source and proprietary licenses Demonstrate proper use of system management tools

Operating Systems Software Definition: An operating system, also called OS, is program code/software that tells the computer hardware what to do.

Operating Systems Software Fundamentals When a computer is turned on, it first begins a Power-On Self Test, often referred to as POST. During the POST, you may hear a series of beeps. Depending on the manufacturer of the hardware, you could hear any combination of long or short beeps, and each combination has its own meaning. The OS is responsible for the look of the desktop at power-up. The OS usually is loaded onto the hard drive memory of the computer. The OS allows the hardware pieces to communicate with each other.

Operating Systems Software Fundamentals The OS displays icons on the desktop of different programs/applications that are loaded onto the computer. Application software: programs written to perform a specific function specified by the user such as Word processing or a spreadsheet application. As the user is creating a document, the OS is what allows the key presses on the keyboard to register as alphabet characters, or numbers, or symbols on the application. When you save the document, it is the OS that allows the document to be placed in the memory on the drive the user selects.

Operating Systems Software Fundamentals Most modern Operating Systems have a user friendly GUI GUI: stands for Graphical User Interface Example of GUI: Most current Operating Systems use the same basic picture/icons for each window using graphics: Each button in the upper right corner performs the same function, no matter which window or application you have open Minimize Maximize/Restore Close

Operating Systems Software Components If you open the control panel you will see many available components/functions of the operating system Adding new hardware Security settings Performance Tools

Operating Systems Software Components Display/Appearance Desktop color Desktop background Screensaver Sounds Mouse Pointers Monitor Resolution

Proprietary vs. Open Source Software Proprietary: software that is the property of the maker and can be used by the purchaser/customer but only with certain restrictions. It can’t be reproduced, modified, or resold by the customer. Open source: software that allows the user to modify the program structure/ computer code. Users may distribute the modified version.