SYSTEMS SOFTWARE

Systems software refers to a category of computer programs that provide a platform for running
other software applications and interacting with hardware devices.
System software is essential for the proper functioning of a computer system, and it is responsible for
managing system resources such as memory, processing power, and input/output devices.

Systems software can be categorized under the following:

1. Operating systems
2. Device drivers
3. Firmware
4. Utility software
5. Programming language translators
6. System libraries

Device Drivers: Driver software programs allow the operating system to communicate with
hardware devices like printers, scanners, and sound cards.
They bring computer devices and peripherals to life and make it possible for all connected
components and external add-ons to perform their intended tasks as the OS directs.

Firmware: Firmware is the operational low-level software embedded within a flash, ROM, or EPROM
memory chip for the OS to identify it.
Traditionally, firmware used to mean fixed software. It was installed on non-volatile chips and could
be upgraded only by swapping them with new, preprogrammed chips.
Today, firmware is stored in flash chips, which can be upgraded.
The most important firmware in computers today is installed by the manufacturer on the
motherboard and can be accessed through the old BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or the new
UEFI (Unified Extended Firmware Interface) platforms.

Utilities: Utilities are programs that perform tasks such as disk cleanup, file compression, and
antivirus scanning. These are programs intended for diagnostic and maintenance tasks for the
computer.

Programming Language Translators: These are software tools that convert high-level
programming languages into machine code that can be executed by the computer. Examples include
compilers and interpreters.

System libraries: These are collections of pre-written code that provide functions and routines that
can be used by software developers in their applications.

OPERATING SYSTEMS: An operating system (OS) is software that manages the hardware and
software resources of a computer system. It acts as an interface between the computer's
hardware and the software applications that run on it.

The main purpose of an operating system is to provide a user-friendly environment for the efficient
and effective use of computer resources.
Unlike most programs, which complete a task and terminate, an operating system runs indefinitely
and terminates only when the computer is turned off.

The first digital computers had no operating systems. They ran one program at a time, which had
command of all system resources, and a human operator would provide any special resources
needed.
The first operating systems were developed in the mid-1950s . They provided basic I/O
operations (such as controlling punch card readers and printers) and kept accounts of CPU usage
for billing.

In the 1980s, the disk operating system (DOS) became the popular interface.

Today, the user interacts with the operating system through the graphical user interface (GUI) on
a monitor or touchscreen interface. The desktop in modern OS is a graphical workspace, which
contains menus, icons, and apps that are manipulated by the user through a mouse-driven
cursor or the touch of a finger.
https://www.britannica.com/technology/operating-system

Components of an Operating System

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The key components of an operating system include:
Kernel: The kernel is the core component of an operating system that manages the system's
resources, including the CPU, memory, and input/output devices.

Shell: The shell is the user interface that allows users to interact with the operating system. It
provides a command-line interface or a graphical user interface (GUI) through which users can run
programs, access files, and perform other tasks.

File System: The file system is the component of the operating system that manages files and
directories on the system's storage devices. It provides a logical structure for organizing and
accessing data.

Device Drivers: Device drivers are software programs that facilitate communication between the
operating system and hardware devices such as printers, scanners, and network adapters.

User Interface: The user interface is the component of the operating system that enables users to
interact with the system. It can be a command-line interface, a graphical user interface (GUI), or a
touchscreen interface.

Application Programming Interface (API): The API is a set of functions and procedures that
allow software developers to write applications that can interact with the operating system. It
provides a standardized way for applications to communicate with the system and access its
resources.

Overall, these components work together to provide a stable, secure, and user-friendly environment
for running applications and managing computer resources.

Functions of the OS include;

Resource Management: The operating system manages the computer's hardware resources,
including the CPU, memory, and input/output devices, to ensure that each process has the resources
it needs to function properly.

Process Management: The operating system manages the processes running on the computer,
including starting and stopping processes, scheduling processes, and allocating system resources.

Memory Management: The operating system manages the computer's memory, including
allocating and deallocating memory, swapping memory between the main memory and the hard
disk, and managing virtual memory.

File Management: The operating system manages the computer's files and directories, including
creating, modifying, and deleting files, organizing files into directories, and controlling access to files.

Security: The operating system provides security features to protect the computer and its data
from unauthorized access, viruses, and other threats.

User Interface: The operating system provides a user interface that allows users to interact
with the computer, including a command-line interface or a graphical user interface (GUI).
Device Management: The operating system manages the computer's input/output devices,
including printers, scanners, and network adapters, and provides device drivers to facilitate
communication between the computer and the devices.

Overall, the functions of an operating system are crucial for the efficient and effective operation of
the computer, allowing users to run applications, access data, and perform other tasks.

TYPES OF OS
There are several types of operating systems, including:

Single-User Operating Systems: These operating systems are designed to be used by a single
user at a time. They are commonly used on personal computers and include Microsoft Windows and
macOS.

Multi-User Operating Systems: These operating systems can handle multiple users accessing
the system simultaneously. They are commonly used in enterprise environments and include UNIX

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and Linux.

Single-Tasking Operating Systems: These operating systems can only run one program or task
at a time. They are generally older systems and are not commonly used today.

Multi-Tasking Operating Systems: These operating systems can run multiple programs or tasks
simultaneously. They allow users to switch between programs quickly and efficiently. Most modern
operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, are multi-tasking operating systems.

Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS): These operating systems are designed to handle real-
time applications, where timing is critical. They are commonly used in industries such as
aviation, healthcare, and telecommunications.

Network Operating Systems: These operating systems are designed to manage and control
network resources, such as servers, printers, and storage devices. They are commonly used in
enterprise environments and include Windows Server, Linux, and Novell NetWare.

Overall, the type of operating system used depends on the specific needs of the user or organization.

Popular Operating Systems

Some of the most popular operating systems used today include:

Microsoft Windows: This is the most widely used operating system in the world and is designed for
personal computers. It provides a graphical user interface (GUI) and supports a wide range of
software applications.

macOS: This is the operating system used on Apple's Macintosh computers. It is known for its user-
friendly interface, stability, and security features.

Linux: This is an open-source operating system that is used on a wide range of devices, from
smartphones and tablets to servers and supercomputers. It is known for its stability, security, and
flexibility.

Android: This is an open-source operating system developed by Google and used on smartphones,
tablets, and other mobile devices. It is known for its user-friendly interface and support for a wide
range of apps.

iOS: This is the operating system used on Apple's iPhones and iPads. It is known for its user-
friendly interface, security features, and support for a wide range of apps.

Chrome OS: This is an operating system developed by Google and used on Chromebook laptops. It
is designed to be fast, simple, and secure, with most applications running in the cloud.

Overall, the choice of the operating system depends on the specific needs of the user or organization,
as well as factors such as security, stability, compatibility, and support for applications.

Advantages of using Operating System

Allows you to hide details of hardware by creating an abstraction. Easy to use
with a GUI.
Offers an environment in which a user may execute programs/applications.
The operating system must make sure that the computer system is convenient to use. The
operating system acts as an intermediary between applications and hardware components.

Disadvantages of using Operating System

If any issue occurs in the OS, you may lose all the contents which have been stored in your
system
Operating system software is quite expensive for small size organizations which adds a burden
on them. Example Windows.
It is never entirely secure as a threat can occur at any time
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