1. Computer Technology Day 3
Operating Systems
Computer Technology
Day 3
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

2. Development of computers
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

3. 1st Generation computers
Used vacuum tubes.
Vacuum tubes are electronic devices that control the flow of electrons.
Had no operating systems.
Used custom application programs, which were made for the specific task that the computer was to perform.
Instructions were necessary for every aspect of the computing job.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

4. 2nd Generation computers
Used transistors.
Transistors performed functions similar to vacuum tubes, but they were smaller, cheaper, less power-hungry, and more reliable.
Ran programming language compilers.
Used English like commands rather than binary numbers.
Made it possible to develop software.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

5. 3rd Generation computers
Used integrated circuits.
Minicomputers were introduced.
Smaller and less powerful than 1st and 2nd generation computers, but had the ability to run multiple programs for multiple users simultaneously.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

6. 4th Generation computers
Used general-purpose microprocessors.
Computer systems were smaller, faster, and less expensive than 3rd generation computers.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

7. Operating System Software
Master controller for all activities that take place within a computer; primary purpose is to help the computer system monitor itself in order to function efficiently.
Interacts with application software, device drivers, and hardware to manage a computer’s resources.
Ensures that input and output proceed in an orderly manner.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

8. Pleasant Grove High School
Platform
Underlying hardware and software of the computer system.
Two popular platforms PC
Mac
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

9. Pleasant Grove High School
Multitasking
Running more than one program at a time.
Making sure that the instructions and data from one area of memory don’t interfere with memory allocated for other programs.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

10. GUI (Graphical User Interface)
A type of user interface that features on-screen objects, such as menus and icons, manipulated by a mouse.
Abbreviation is pronounced “gooey”.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

11. Pleasant Grove High School
Definitions
Program
Set of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tell a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task.
Application Software
Set of computer programs that help a person carry out a task.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

12. Pleasant Grove High School
Basic definitions
Drive
A location on a network that is set aside for the collection of data.
Folder
The subdirectory or subdivision, of a drive that can contain files or other folders.
File
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003

13. Pleasant Grove High School
Resources
Parsons, June Jamrich, and Dan Oja. Computer Concepts. Boston: Course Technology - Thompson Learning, 2002.
M. Guymon
Pleasant Grove High School
Spring 2003