ATHENA Chapter 2: Software & Operating System ATHENA Objective ~ What is the software? ~ How is software categorized? ~ What is an operating system ? ~ What does an operating system do? ATHENA What’s the software ? ~ Software is the instructions and associated data, stored in electronic format, that direct the computer to accomplish a task. ~ A computer program is a set of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tells a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task. ATHENA How is software categorized? ~ Software is categorized as either application software or system software. ~ Application software is designed to be used for a purpose such as drawing designs, creating documents, etc. ~ System software is designed to help the computer carry out the basic operating functions Ex: Operating systems, utilities, and drivers ATHENA Operating System Overview: What is an operating system ? ~ An operating system (OS) is the master controller for all of the activities that take place within a computer. Ex: Microsoft Windows XP, Mac OS, Linux, UNIX ~ The operating system also interacts with the next functional layer called application software. ATHENA How is software categorized? ATHENA What does an operating system do? Example: ATHENA Personal Computer Operating Systems ~ Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Unix, and DOS ~ What’s the best-selling operating system? ATHENA Personal Computer Operating Systems ~ Microsoft Windows is the most popular, and is installed on over 80% of the world’s personal computers ~ UNIX was developed in 1969 at AT&T’s Bell Labs ~ Linux was developed in 1991 ~ DOS (Disk Operating System) was developed by Microsoft ATHENA Personal Computer Operating Systems ~ Different operating systems are needed for different computing tasks: • Single-user operating system – Ex: MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11 • Multi-user operating system – Ex: Windows Server 2000/2003 • Network operating system – Ex: Linux, Unix, Windows Server 2000/2003 • Multitasking operating system – Ex: Windows Server 2000/2003 • Desktop operating system – Ex: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP [...]...Summary Software How is software categorized? operating system Overview What does an operating system do? ATHENA . ATHENA Chapter 2: Software & Operating System ATHENA Objective ~ What is the software? ~ How is software categorized? ~ What is an operating system. out a task. ATHENA How is software categorized? ~ Software is categorized as either application software or system software. ~ Application software is