System Software

System Software
System software is a program that manages and supports the computer resources and
operations of a computer system while it executes various tasks such as processing data and
information, controlling hardware components, and allowing users to use application software.
That is, systems software functions as a bridge between computer system hardware and
the application software.
System software is made up of many control programs, including the operating system,
communications software and database manager. There are many kinds of computers these days.
Some of them are easier to learn than others. Some of them perform better than others. These
differences may come from different systems software.
Three Kinds of Programs

Systems software consists of three kinds of programs. The system management programs,
system support programs, and system development programs are they. These are explained
briefly.
System Management Programs
These are programs that manage the application software, computer hardware, and data
resources of the computer system. These programs include operating systems, operating
environment programs, database management programs, and telecommunications monitor
programs. Among these, the most important system management programs are operating
systems.
[ Telecommunications monitor programs are additions of the operating systems of

microcomputers. These programs provide the extra logic for the computer system to control a
class of communications devices.]
System Support Programs
These are the programs that help the operations and management of a computer system. They
provide a variety of support services to let the computer hardware and other system programs run
efficiently. The major system support programs are system utility programs, system performance
monitor programs, and system security monitor programs (virus checking programs).
System Development Programs
These are programs that help users develop information system programs and prepare user
programs for computer processing. These programs may analyze and design systems and
program itself. The main system development programs are programming language translators,
programming environment programs, computer-aided software engineering packages.
Operating Systems
An operating system is a collection of integrated computer programs that provide
recurring services to other programs or to the user of a computer. These services consist of disk
and file management, memory management, and device management.
In other words, it manages CPU operations, input/output activities, storage resources,

diverse support services, and controls various devices.
Operating system is the most important program for computer system. Without an
operating system, every computer program would have to contain instructions telling the
hardware each step the hardware should take to do its job, such as storing a file on a disk.
Because the operating system contains these instructions, any program can call on the operating
system when a service is needed.
Need to Study Operating System?
There are many different computer systems and several available operating systems.
Thus, users must know what each operating system can do and cannot do to meet their necessity.
Today, many operating systems are used for general use or sometimes for specific use. Then,
which one is best for a specific purpose? The reason that users need to study operating system is
here.
The predominant microcomputer operating system for IBM and IBM-compatibles so far
was DOS (Disk Operating System). It has different versions including MS-DOS, PC-DOS and
others. DOS is very popular and wide spread, but it has some limitations. Users need to learn
DOS although it may fade out in a few years and has some weakness, because it will be used for
the next several years. The other popular operating system was the Apple Macintosh operating
system.
As more powerful microcomputers become commonplace, more advanced operating
systems are needed. Microcomputer users are beginning to demand more powerful operating
system that can run powerful microcomputers more efficiently.
Today's very powerful microcomputers are demanding more complex and refined operating
system that can do multifunctions. They also ask an easier user interface than old operating
systems did. Now, there are more than six popular operating systems, leading to the lack of a
standard. The other reason that operating system should be learned is here.
How the Operating System Uses Memory
Here explains in case of DOS. When a personal computer is turned on, it searches specific
locations on the disk drives for operating system files. If the PC finds the files, it loads the first
of them into memory. A set of operating system files then takes over, loading the rest of the main
files into memory in a specific order. Because the operating system is in a sense, loading itself or
lifting itself by its own bootstraps, this operation is called the boot-up.
At the lowest part of memory, the operating system loads a table of interrupt vectors. When
the operating system receives special codes called interrupts, it uses the table to detect where in
memory it can find matching instructions. DOS also uses a small area just above the interruption
table to hold the BIOS data called 'flags' that record the state of various system conditions. The
same area also acts as a buffer to store keystrokes that come in faster than the system can process
them.
A large expanse of memory just above the BIOS flags and keyboard buffer is used for
device drivers, utility programs, and application programs. When DOS reads the CONFIG.SYS
and AUTOEXEC.BAT files, it looks for command lines to load drivers or memory-resident
programs. Memory- resident programs are those that continue to be active even when application
programs are running. When it finds such a command line, DOS normally puts the driver or
program at the start of this large memory area. Device drivers usually remain loaded until the PC
is turned off. Memory- resident programs can be unloaded if no other programs are loaded after
them.
Operating System Functions
An operating system executes many functions to operate computer system efficiently. Among
them, four essential functions are the followings.
 Resource Management: An operating system manages a collection of computer

hardware resources by using a variety of programs. It manages computer system
resources, including its CPU, primary memory, virtual memory, secondary
storage devices, input/output peripherals, and other devices.
 Task Management: The function of the operating system that controls the
running of many tasks. It manages one program or many programs within a
computer system simultaneously. That is, this function of operating system
manages the completion of users' tasks. A task management program in an
operating system provides each task and interrupts the CPU operations to manage
tasks efficiently. Task management may involve a multitasking capability.
 File management: This is a function that manages data files. An operating
system contains file management programs that provide the ability to create,
delete, enter, change, ask, and access of files of data. They also produce reports
on a file.
 User Interface: It is a function of an operating system that allows users to
interact with a computer. A user interface program may include a combination of
menus, screen design, keyboard commands. A well-designed user interface is
essential for an operating system to be popular. Because of the function, users can
load programs, access files, and accomplish other tasks.
Virtual Memory
This is a technique for an operating system to manage memory. An operating
system simulates significantly larger memory capability than the real memory
capacity of its actual primary storage unit. It allows computers to process larger
programs than the physical memory circuit would allow.
Multitasking
This refers the capability of operating systems that runs several computing tasks
in one computer at the same time. This is controlled by the task management
program in an operating system. It's also called multiprogramming and
multithreading.
[or]
System Software
System software refers to the files and programs that make up your computer's operating
system. System files include libraries of functions, system services, drivers for printers and other
hardware, system preferences, and other configuration files. The programs that are part of the
system software include assemblers, compilers, file management tools, system utilites, and
debuggers.
The system software is installed on your computer when you install your operating
system. You can update the software by running programs such as "Windows Update" for
Windows or "Software Update" for Mac OS X. Unlike application programs, however, system
software is not meant to be run by the end user. For example, while you might use your Web
browser every day, you probably don't have much use for an assembler program (unless, of
course, you are a computer programmer).
Since system software runs at the most basic level of your computer, it is called "low-level"
software. It generates the user interface and allows the operating system to interact with the
hardware. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about what the system software is doing since it
just runs in the background. It's nice to think you are working at a "high-level" anyway.

System Software

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

System Software

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

System Software

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

System Software

Three Kinds of Programs

System Management Programs

[ Telecommunications monitor programs are additions of the operating systems of

System Support Programs

System Development Programs

In other words, it manages CPU operations, input/output activities, storage resources,

Need to Study Operating System?

How the Operating System Uses Memory

Operating System Functions

 Resource Management: An operating system manages a collection of computer

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.