UNIT 2: OPERATING -Karishma Verma

SYSTEMS/ENVIRONMEN Institute of Hotel Management,

Bangalore
TS
BASICS OF MS-DOS
MS-DOS, in full Microsoft Disk Operating System, the dominant 
operating system for the personal computer (PC) throughout the 1980s.
The acquisition and marketing of MS-DOS were pivotal in the 
Microsoft Corporation’s transition to software industry giant.
DOS Commands are instructions to perform tasks on files and directories very
useful to Windows users. DOS commands are case insensitive.
And as you already know, the file is the area where we store a group of information
or data, and the collection of a group of files is called a directory.
MS DOS
In MS-DOS the file name follows 8dot3
format and is divided into two parts – rimary
name and secondary name. Text file .txt

The primary name is up to 8 characters long Command file .com

and the secondary name is up to 4 characters System file .sys
with a dot. For example, in the file-name Program file .prg
Logo.jpg, Logo is the primary name and .jpg is Database file .dbm
the secondary name.
Library file .lib
Secondary names are fixed for a particular Bath file .bat
type of file, meaning for system files the Executable file .exe
secondary name is designated as .sys, for text
files it is .txt and so on. To name a file or
directory special characters like (< > , . / * ? |
&) Space are not allowed.
TYPES OF DOS COMMANDS
DOS Commands are divided into 2 types:
INTERNAL COMMANDS
Internal Commands Internal Commands are built into the operating system as the
part of a file called COMMAND.COM.
When you type an Internal Command MS-DOS will perform it immediately.
All of the internal commands are part of the shell which could be command.com or
cmd.exe (depending on your version of MS-DOS or Windows) and are not separate
files on the hard drive.
As long as you can open a command line you can run any of the internal commands
included with your version of MS-DOS
MS DOS INTERNAL
COMMANDS
CLS – It is a command that allows you
to clear the complete contents of the
screen and leave only a prompt.
• BREAK – Break can be used to enable
or disable the braking capability of the
computer.
• REN – It is used to rename files and
directories from the original name to a
new name.
• CHDIR – Chdir (change directory) is a
command used to switch directories in
MS-DOS.
• RMDIR – Removes an empty directory
in MS-DOS.
• DEL- Del is a command used to delete
files from the computer.
• COPY – Allows you to copy one or
more files to an alternate location.
• VOL – Displays the volume of
information about the designated drive. •
TYPE- Display the contents of a text file.
• EXIT – The exit command is used to
withdrawal from the currently running
application and the MS-DOS session.
 MS DOS INTERNAL
COMMANDS
• DATE – The date command can be • MKDIR/MD – Allows you to create
used to look at the current date of the directories in MS-DOS.
computer as well as change the date to
an alternate date. • PATH – Path is used to specify the
location where MS-DOS looks when
• TIME – Allows the user to view and using a command.
edit the computer’s time.
• DISKCOMP- Comparing two
• DIR – This command displays diskettes. • DISKCOPY- Copying a
information about files and directories, diskette.
and how many spaces available.
• RD- Remove a directory.
• SET – Allows you to change one
variable or string to another.
 EXTERNAL COMMANDS
 These external commands are for performing advanced tasks and they do need some
external file support as they are not stored in COMMAND.COM.

Examples of External Commands are:

• DELTREE- Short for delete tree, DELTREE is a command used to delete files and
directories permanently from the computer.
• TREE- Allows the user to view a listing of files and folders in an easy to read the
listing. • PRINT – The print command allows users to print a text file to a line printer, in
the background.
• FIND – Allows you to search for text within a file.
• XCOPY – Xcopy is a powerful version of the copy command with additional features;
has the capability of moving files, directories, and even whole drives from one location
to another.
• DISK COMP- Compares the contents of a floppy disk in the source drive to the
contents of a floppy disk in the target drive.
• FORMAT – Format is used to erase information off of a computer diskette or fixed
drive.
• ATTRIB – Attrib allows a user to change the attributes of a file or files.
• SORT- Sorts the input and displays the output to the screen.
• CHKDSK- Chkdsk is a utility that checks the computer’s hard drive status for any
cross-linked or any additional errors with the hard drive.
• FORMAT – Format a diskette.
• PRINT – Printing a file.
• MOVE- Allows you to move files or directories from one folder to another, or from
one drive to another.
INTRODUCTION TO MS
WINDOWS
MS Windows is a multitasking operating system which uses a Graphical User
Interface (GUI) to link the user to the computer.
A GUI is an interface that helps users to interact with the computer by use of
windows, icons, and menus.
The interaction between the user and the computer heavily relies on the use of a
mouse and keyboard which make it possible to enter data into the computer and also
manipulate it the way we want.
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
(GUI)
GUI is a program interface that takes advantage of the computer graphics
capabilities to make the program easier to use.
Well-designed graphical user interfaces can free the user from learning complex
command languages.
On the other hand, many users find that they work more effectively with a
command-driven interface, especially if they already know the command language.
COMPONENTS OF GUI
• Pointer: A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you move to select
objects and commands. Usually, the pointer appears as a small angled arrow. Text
-processing applications, however, use an I-beam pointer.
• Pointing device: A device, such as a mouse or a trackball, that enables you to select
objects on the display screen.
• Icons: Small pictures that represent commands, files, or windows. By moving the
pointer to the icon and pressing a mouse button, you can execute a command or
convert the icon into a window. You can also move the icons around the display
screen as if they were real objects on your desk.
• Desktop: The area on the display screen where icons are grouped is often referred
to as the desktop because the icons are intended to represent real objects on a real
desktop.
• Windows: You can divide the screen into different areas. In each window, you can run a different
program or display a different file. You can move windows around the display screen, and change
their shape and size at will.
• Menus: Most graphical user interfaces let you execute commands by selecting a choice from a
menu.

 In addition to their visual components, graphical user interfaces also make it easier to move data
from one application to another.
 A true GUI includes standard formats for representing text and graphics. Because the formats are
well-defined, different programs that run under a common GUI can share data.
 This makes it possible, for example, to copy a graph created by a spreadsheet program into a
document created by a word processor.
 Many DOS programs include some features of GUIs, such as menus, but are not graphics based.
Such interfaces are sometimes called graphical character-based user interfaces to distinguish them
from true GUIs.
THE FIRST GRAPHICAL USER
INTERFACE
The first graphical user interface was designed by Xerox Corporation’s Palo Alto
Research Center in the 1970s, but it was not until the 1980s and the emergence of the
Apple Macintosh that graphical user interfaces became popular.
One reason for their slow acceptance was the fact that they require considerable
CPU power and a high-quality monitor, which were prohibitively expensive.
 WINDOWS VERSIONS
Windows 10 S (2017) The streamlined version that obtains content via the Internet.
 Windows 10 (2015) – MS Version 6.4 The next client version of Windows.
Windows 8/8.1 (2012-2013) – MS Version 6.2/6.3 The current client version of Windows.
Windows 7 (2009) – MS Version 6.1 The previous client version of Windows. Windows 7
greatly improved stability over Vista.
Windows Vista (2006) – MS Version 6.0 A client version of Windows that was widely
criticized for its bugs and behavior.
Windows Server 2008 was the server counterpart.
Windows XP (2001) – MS Version 5.1 A client version of Windows that has been widely
used. Adding more security and administrative capabilities, XP became available in 64-bit
versions for AMD x86 and Intel Itanium CPUs.
 Windows 2000 (2000) – MS Version 5.0 Windows 2000 was an updated version of Windows
NT 4 for client and server. Windows 2000 came in one workstation and three server versions.
Server versions supported 64-bit AMD x86 and Intel Itanium CPUs.
 Windows NT (1993) – MS Versions 3.1, 3.5, 4.0 Windows NT 3.1 was a completely new 32-bit
OS with separate client and server versions. Introduced during the reign of Windows 3.1 and two
years before Windows 95, it used the same Program Manager user interface as Windows 3.1 but
provided greater stability. NT Server gained significant market share, while NT Workstation
client version was aimed at the professional user and not the Windows 95/98 market.
 Windows ME (2000) – MS Version 4.9 An upgrade to Windows 98. It had a shorter boot time,
but no longer could be booted into DOS only (DOS sessions could still be run in a Windows
window).
 Windows 98 (1998) – MS Version 4.1 Windows 98 was an upgrade to Windows 95 that tightly
integrated the Internet Explorer Web browser with the OS. In 1999, Windows 98 Second Edition
fixed numerous bugs and upgraded its applications.
 Windows 95 (1995) – MS Version 4.0 Windows 95 was the first 32-bit Windows operating system
and a major upgrade from Windows 3.1. It used an entirely different user interface that
incorporated the now-common Start menu and Taskbar. It was also the first time the computer
booted directly into Windows, rather than being loaded after booting up in DOS.
 Windows 3.x (1990-1992) – MS Version 3.x Windows 3.0 was the first popular version of
Windows with a new, colorful user interface that was far superior to Windows 2.0. Although the PC
still booted into DOS, Windows 3.0 included a DOS extender that broke the 1MB memory limit (a
major breakthrough). Windows 3.0 was widely used to multitask DOS applications.
 Windows 2.0/286/386 (1987) – MS Version 2.0 Windows 2.0 introduced overlapping, resizable
windows with more flexibility. Soon after, Windows/386 was released for Intel’s 386 CPU, which
could run multiple DOS applications simultaneously (Windows 2.0 was renamed Windows/286).
Windows was becoming more useful, and a handful of companies adopted it as an operating
environment.
 Windows 1.0 (1985) – MS Version 1.0 The first Windows version introduced the “MS-DOS
Executive,” which was a DOS application that ran applications in side-by-side windows. It was
rarely used.
 PARTS OF A WINDOWS IN
COMPUTER
The Title Bar: At the top of every window is the title bar. The center of the title bar
displays either the name of the program you are currently working in or relevant
information about what is happening in the program at any given moment. When the
window is not maximized, this is where you can click and drag to move the window to a
new location on the screen.
Minimize, Maximize, Close Buttons: These are located in the upper right-hand corner of
the window. Minimizing the window shrinks it to nothing and places it out of sight.
Maximizing the window makes it fill the screen and locks it into position so that it cannot
be moved by dragging the title bar. Closing the window shuts down the program.
 The Scroll Bar: On the right side of the window is the scroll bar, which appears only if
there is information to be displayed beyond the bottom range of the current window size.
Clicking and dragging on the slider in the scroll bar moves the contents of the window up or
down so you can view all of the data available.
 The Menu Bar: Most programs will have a menu bar visible in the upper left-
hand corner of the window. The menu bar appears as the text for most programs
and usually starts with “File” at the far left. Accessing the menu allows you to
view various commands available to that program, including closing the program
or the window.
 The Work Space: The workspace is all of the areas inside the window where
data for the current program is displayed. usually, the workspace will have a
white background, but it is possible to customize this in all versions of Windows,
and it may vary by program.
 BASIC FUNCTIONS OF
WINDOWS
1. The interface between the user and the hardware: An OS provides an interface between user and
machine. This interface can be a graphical user interface (GUI) in which users click onscreen elements to
interact with the OS.
2. Coordinate hardware components: An OS enables the coordination of hardware components. The
operating system can talk to different hardwares through the specific translational software called device
drivers.
3. Provide an environment for software to function: An OS provides an environment for software
applications to function. In GUI operating systems such as Windows and macOS, applications run within
a consistent, graphical desktop environment.
4. Provide structure for data management: An OS displays structure/directories for data management.
We can view file and folder listings and manipulate those files and folders like (move, copy, rename,
delete, and many others).
5. Monitor system health and functionality: OS monitors the health of our system’s hardware, giving
us an idea of how well (or not) it’s performing. We can see how busy our CPU is, or how quickly our
hard drives retrieve data, or how much data our network card is sending etc. and it also monitors system
activity for malware