The Operating System (OS) sits between your hardware and software, the OS is a software too. It controls, organises and manages the interactions between all hardware and software. If something is plugged in to your computer, the OS is controlling it. The general tasks for a typical operating system include:
Controlling the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices
Managing resources
Supervising the loading, running and storage of application programs
Dealing with errors that occur in applications programs
User Interfaces
A interface iswhen the user and the computer exchange information and instructions. The important part of the Interface is:
be attractive and pleasing to the eye
allow the user to try out different options easily
be easy to use
use suitable colours for key areas
use words that are easy to understand aimed at the type of user
have help documentation
Its responsible for displaying information and getting commands and input from the user
Source: BBC GCSE
Types of interfaces
There are two types you need to be aware of: GUI and CLI. A GUI is an interface built around graphical things:
Windows are regions of the screen used to display information
Icons are small pictures that are used to represent folders, software, etc.
Menus are lists of options the user can select from
GUI - graphical user interface
Uses Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers to organise information and allow user interactions
A window is an are on the screen that displays information for specific program- to help multi task
An icon represents a folder or a program
A menu is used to help the user choose options
A pointer helps navigate around the screen/ to click open files/software
Command line interface
dir - directory
md - make directory
cd c:/ - change directory
rd - delete file
Command line interface- continued
Allows the user to interact with the device by typing written instructions/commands- the syntax has to be precise
With a CLI it is more important that the user understands how a computer works
Can write lists of commands called "scripts" to automate repetitive
Advantages of using CLI are:
takes up very little memory and storage, good for embedded systems
Many people use it, meaning it must be easy to use if the majority people use it
Disadvantages of using CLI are:
Difficult if you have dyslexia/ sight problem
Not intuitive
Commands are difficult to edit once entered
The user would have to learn a whole set of strange commands so that they could make use of the computer system
This meant computers used to be quite difficult to use, so this type of interface is only really suitable for expert users
I think this OS would be used for to copy a text file called "NOTES" from a floppy disc to the hard drive.
Hardware is a general term for the physical components that make up a computer system. Three examples are:
Monitor
Motherboard
Printer
Software is a general term for the programs that control the computer system. Three examples are:
Window 7
Microsoft Word
Adoble Reader
For a computer system to be useful it has to consist of both hardware and software.
Central processing unit
The CPU is the brain of the computer. The device that carries out software instructions. CPUs usually plug into a large socket on the main circuit board (the motherboard) of the computer. They get very hot when they are operating so usually have a large fan attached to their to keep them cool.
Main memory
The CPU needs to store data whilst its carrying out the processing required. The data or instructions that are to be processed by the CPU must be placed into main memory. Memory can be classed into two types: RAM and ROM.
RAM
Random Access Memory
A temporary store of data
Holds the data that is currently being used by the user
Volatile - so data is lost when the computer is turned off
It can be read from or written to
The data in RAM can be changed
It is needed so that users are able to make changes to data they are working on/to store the program or data they are currently using
ROM
Read Only Memory
Non- Voltage - not lost when computer is switched off
Stores things such as: BIOS, programs in washing machine and program instructions for games
The data cannot be changed
It is so that programs/coding/software can be stored permanently/cannot be changed