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System SoftwareSystem Software

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Objectives Objectives

• System software

• Programs, Functions, Categories

• Utilities

• Device drivers

• Language translators

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Systems SoftwareSystems Software

• Behind the scenes activities

• Designed to handle– Technical details– Where programs stored– How commands executed– Where files saved– How output handled

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Four Kinds of ProgramsFour Kinds of Programs

• Operating system

• Utilities

• Device drivers

• Language translators

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Operating SystemsOperating Systems

–Coordinates resources

–Provides user interface

–Run applications

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Categories of OSCategories of OS

• Hundreds of operating systems

• Three basic categories

– Embedded – hand-held

– Network OS – linked computers

– Stand-alone OS – desktop

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Major OSMajor OS

• Windows – 80% of market• Mac OS – powerful and easy to use• UNIX – network; originally designed

for Web• LINUX – non proprietary; free off

Web

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UtilitiesUtilities

– Hard disk crashes

– Antivirus programs

– Computer freeze-ups

– Decrease operation slow-downs

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Essential UtilitiesEssential Utilities

• Troubleshooting

• Antivirus

• Uninstall

• Backup

• File compression

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Utility SuitesUtility Suites

• Norton• McAfee• DataFellows

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Device driversDevice drivers

• Specialized programs

• Loaded into memory each time

• Add new device: install device driver

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Language translatorsLanguage translators

programming language into computer language

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A Look to the FutureA Look to the Future

• IBM concentrating research efforts

on eLiza:

– Handle time-consuming maintenance

– Create complex infrastructure

• Self-maintaining servers

– Able to care for themselves

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