CHAPTER 5

OPERATING SYSTEM
THE WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM
OPERATING SYSTEM

• software that supports a computer's basic functions,

such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, and
controlling peripherals.
OS TERMS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Multi-user - Two or more

users have individual
accounts that allow them to
work with programs and
peripheral devices at the
same time.
OS TERMS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Multitasking - The computer

is capable of operating
multiple applications at the
same time.
OS TERMS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Multiprocessing - The
operating system can support
two or more CPUs.
 OS TERMS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Multithreading - A program
can be broken into smaller
parts that are loaded as
needed by the operating
system.
• Multithreading allows
different parts of a program
to be run at the same time.
• All computers rely on an OS to provide the interface
for the interaction between users, applications, and
hardware.
• The OS boots the computer and manages the file
system.
• Operating systems can support more than one user,
task, or CPU.
WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM

• Windows 11 is the latest major release of Microsoft's Windows NT operating

system, released in October 2021.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM

• Control hardware access

• Manage files and folders
• Provide a user interface
• Manage applications
HARDWARE ACCESS

• The OS manages the interaction between applications

and the hardware. To access and communicate with
each hardware component, the OS uses a program
called a device driver.
• When a hardware device is installed, the OS locates
and installs the device driver for that component.
• Assigning system resources and installing drivers are
performed with a plug-and-play (PnP) process.
HARDWARE ACCESS

• The OS then configures the device and updates the

registry, which is a database that contains all the
information about the computer.
• If the OS cannot locate a device driver, a technician
must install the driver manually either by using the
media that came with the device or downloading it
from the manufacturer’s website.
FILE AND FOLDER MANAGEMENT

• The OS creates a file structure on the hard disk drive to store data.
• A file is a block of related data that is given a single name and treated
as a single unit.
• Program and data files are grouped together in a directory.
• The files and directories are organized for easy retrieval and use.
• Directories can be kept inside other directories.
• These nested directories are referred to as subdirectories.
• Directories are called folders in Windows operating systems, and
subdirectories are called subfolders.
USER INTERFACE
The OS enables the user to interact with the software and hardware.
Operating systems include two types of user interfaces:

a. Command-line interface (CLI) - The user types

commands at a prompt.
b. Graphical user interface (GUI) - The user interacts with menus
and icons.
APPLICATION MANAGEMENT

• The OS locates an application and loads it into the

RAM of the computer.
• Applications are software programs, such as word
processors, databases, spreadsheets, and games.
• The OS allocates available system resources to
running applications.
APPLICATION MANAGEMENT

• To ensure that a new application is compatible with an OS,

programmers follow a set of guidelines known as an Application
Programming Interface (API).
• An API allows programs to access the resources managed by
the operating system in a consistent and reliable manner.
Everyday examples of API:
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF APIs:

a. Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) - Cross-platform standard

specification for multimedia graphics
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF APIs:

b. DirectX - Collection of APIs related to multimedia tasks for

Microsoft Windows
c. Windows API - Allows applications from older versions of
Windows to operate on newer versions
d. Java APIs - Collection of APIs related to the development of
Java programming
PROCESSOR ARCHITECTURE
The way that a CPU handles information can affect the performance of the OS.

Two common architectures used to process data are:

• x86 - A 32-bit architecture that processes multiple instructions
with a single request. An x86 processor uses fewer registers
than an x64 processor. Registers are storage areas used by the
CPU when performing calculations. An x86 processor can
support a 32-bit operating system.
• x64 - This 64-bit architecture adds additional registers
specifically for instructions that use a 64-bit address space. The
additional registers allow the CPU to process instructions much
faster than x86. The x64 processer is backward compatible with
the x86 processor. An x64 processor can support 32-bit and 64-
bit operating systems.
• A 32-bit OS is capable of addressing only 4 GB of
system memory, while a 64-bit OS can address more
than 128 GB. Memory management differs between
the two systems. A 64-bit system has better
performance. A 64-bit OS also includes features that
provide additional security.
32-bit and 64-bit Compatibility in Windows
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
There are two distinct types of operating systems: Desktop and
Network.

• A desktop operating system is intended for use in a small office,

home office (SOHO) environment with a limited number of users.
• A network operating system (NOS) is designed for a corporate
environment serving multiple users with a wide range of needs.
A desktop OS has the following characteristics:

• Supports a single user

• Runs single-user applications
• Shares files and folders on a small network with limited
security
• In the current software market, the most commonly used
desktop operating systems fall into three groups: Microsoft
Windows, Apple Mac OS, and Linux
 MICROSOFT WINDOWS

 Windows is one of the most popular operating systems

today. The following versions of Windows are
available:
Windows 8 Operating System Interface
 Windows 7 Starter

 used on netbook
computers to make
networking easy
 Windows 7 Home Premium

 used on home computers

to easily share media
 Windows 7 Professional

 used on small business

computers to secure
critical information and
to make routine tasks
easier to complete
 Windows 7 Enterprise

 used on large business

computers to provide
more enhanced
productivity, security,
and management
features
 Windows 7 Ultimate

 used on computers to
combine the ease of use
of Windows 7 Home
Premium with the
business capabilities of
Windows 7 Professional
and provide added data
security
 Windows Vista Home Basic

 used on home computers

for basic computing
 Windows Vista Home Premium

 used on home computers

to expand personal
productivity and digital
entertainment beyond
the basics
 Windows Vista Business

 used on small business

computers for enhanced
security and enhanced
mobility technology
 Windows Vista Enterprise

 used on large business

computers to provide
more enhanced
productivity, security,
and management
features
 Windows Vista Ultimate

 used on computers to
combine all the needs of
both home and business
users
 Windows XP Professional

 used on most computers

that connect to a
Windows Server on a
network
 Windows XP Home

 used on home computers

and has limited security
 Windows XP Media Center

 used on entertainment
computers for viewing
movies and listening to
music
 Windows XP 64-bit Professional

 used for computers with

64-bit processors
 APPLE MAC OS

 Apple computers are proprietary and

use an operating system
called Mac OS.
 Mac OS is designed to be a user-friendly GUI
operating system. Current versions of Mac OS are
based on a customized version of UNIX.
MAC Operating System Interface
 Linux

• Linux is based on UNIX, which was introduced in the

late 1960s and is one of the oldest operating systems.
Linus Torvalds designed Linux in 1991 as an open-
source OS.
Linux Operating System Interface