Operating System

What is an Operating System?

An operating system is a software program that manages computer resources. Operating systems
allow components to communicate with each other and enable the computer to run software
applications.

Tasks of the Operating System

Operating systems perform the
following functions:
1. Accepts inputs from the
mouse or keyboard.
2. Sends outputs to the monitor
or printer.
3. Recognises peripheral
devices such as external hard
disks, pen drive, web cam etc
and makes sure
that software needed for the
hardware to run is installed.
4. Manages files and folders in
the system (Naming,
Creating, Moving, Finding and
Deleting folders etc).
5. Allows applications
software (word-processing,
spreadsheets etc) to communicate with the system's hardware.
6. Shares out system memory efficiently. The operating system will decide how much memory
to assign to particular tasks. It also moves data in and out of memory.
7. Loads and runs software applications.
8. Manages system security. For example - allows passwords to be added / changed.
9. Handles system problems and alerts the user. For example if a printer is jammed and
cannot printer, the operating system will stop the print job and alert the user with a warning
message.
10. Manages the moving of data to and from a hard disk.

Types of Operating System Interfaces

The way in which users communicate with the computer is called an 'interface'. The interface is
what we use to give the computer commands. There are three types of operating system
interfaces:
1. Command Line Interface (CLI) 3. Touchscreen Interface
2. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

1. Command Line Interface (CLI)

 A command line interface is an older style operating system where users type in commands
using keyboard. 
 Command Line Interface's do not make use of images, icons or graphics. All the user is
sees is a plain black screen like the one to the right.
 Because they use no graphics they require very little computer power. 
 Remembering commands and the exact way to enter them can be difficult and so Command
Line Interface Operating Systems are considered hard to use.
 There are over 270 different commands that can be entered at the command prompt.
Commands have to be entered precisely without spelling mistakes or else the operating
system will return an error.

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Key features of a Command Line Interface:
The main features of a CLI are that keyboards are used to type in a variety of different commands
into a command prompt.

2.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

 GUI's are visual (graphical) interfaces and they are more popular than CLI's because they
are very easy to use. The graphics do need more computer power however.
 Instead of typing in commands, the user can use a mouse to point and click objects on the
screen.
 For example: A user can erase a file by right clicking and then selecting delete.
Windows – The user can divide the screen into separate areas known as 'windows'. These
windows can be anything from folders to software applications. Windows allow you to work on
several tasks at the same time.

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Icons – Icons are 'symbols' or small images / graphics that are used to represent files and
commands. Icons can be clicked to carry out a function or open a file etc. The user operates a
mouse to move a pointer over the icon and then clicks it to activate the function. Icons are also
used to represent folders.

Menus – These allow users to select functions from a list. Each item in the list will perform a
different function.  Menus usually either 'pop-up' or 'drop-down'. The navigation used at the top of
this web site are examples of drop-down menus.

Pointers – Pointers are little arrows that you move across the screen by directing your mouse.
Pointers can be used to:
 Select and use icons  Reposition folders and icons on the
 Select options found in menus screen.

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3. Touchscreen Interfaces
 Portable devices such as mobile phones, PDA's and tablets (e.g. IPad) use interfaces
similar to a GUI (WIMP) where icons and menus are used to input commands.
 However, because these devices don't have room for a mouse, the way in which the icons
and menus are used is different.
 Touchscreen technology allows people to use their fingers to
select icons and options straight from the device's screen. 
 We call this type of interface Post-WIMP.

Key features of a Touchscreen Interface:

Features available on POST-WIMP interfaces are highlighted in the table below:

Pinching – This is where you pinch your fingers together across a touchscreen to zoom into an

image, application or document on your device. You can also move your fingers apart to zoom out.
Rotating – This is where you use two fingers - one finger moves up while the other finger moves
down the touch screen to rotate an object.

Swiping – Swiping is where you swipe your finger across the touchscreen to scroll through a

document or turn the page.

Comparing Command Line and GUI Operating Systems

Both command line and graphical user interface style operating systems have
their advantages and disadvantages. The table below explains some of these:

Command Line Interface Graphical User Interface

Advantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages

User directly Users must Quicker to enter Smaller range of

communicateswith remember complexco commands. commands can be
the computer. mmands. (You just click icons used 
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 etc)
(Icons are pre-
A wider range of Lots of typing needed Easier to enter programmed to set
commands can be for quite simple tasks. commands tasks and users
used. cannot change this)
(You don't need to
remember anything) 

Needs very Higher chance of Less chance of users Graphical user

little computer errors when typing in making errors (Just interfaces
power. commands. clicking icons) require more
computer power.
(This operating (One spelling mistake
system can be run on means that the
very old computers) command will fail)

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