Computer System Software Quiz

Operating System Overview

• Operating systems (OS) are programs that manage computer resources and application programs
• They provide a user interface for interacting with the computer
• Two main parts are the operating system itself and utility programs
• The OS is loaded into memory by a boot program
• It controls many functions, including memory, processes, devices, storage, and security management
• OS's are categorized by user and task capabilities:
  • Single-user, single-tasking
  • Single-user, multi-tasking
  • Multi-user, multi-tasking
  • Real-time
• Different operating systems include: Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Linux, and Android
• OS families and versions exist, such as the Microsoft Windows, Unix, Macintosh, Linux, and Android families

Computer System Architecture

• A computer system is composed of hardware, software, and liveware
• Hardware includes physical components like the CPU, memory, storage, and input/output devices
• Software includes instructions that tell the computer what to do (operating system, application software)
• Liveware incorporates the users who interact with the computer and software

Basic Function of a Computer

• Computers process data to produce information
• Input devices receive data (keyboard, mouse, etc.)
• Output devices display information (monitor, printer, etc.)

Computer Hardware

• Specific examples of hardware are included with images of various hardware components, including:
  • Printer
  • Media player
  • System unit (CPU, memory)
  • Screen/Monitor
  • CD/DVD drive
  • Hard disk drive
  • Scanner
  • Digital camera
  • External hard disk
  • Microphone
  • Keyboard
  • Card reader/writer
  • USB flash drive
  • Web cam
  • Speakers
  • Modem
  • Mouse

Functional Diagram of Computer

• The diagram shows input devices, secondary memory, main memory, output devices, register, arithmetic and logical unit, control unit, and central processing unit (CPU) that are interconnected

Hardware & Software

• Hardware and software are two inseparable parts of a computer system.
• Without software, the computer has no purpose, even with well-designed hardware, and vice-versa.

Software

• Software is a collection of instructions that tell a computer how to function.
• Programming languages are tools used for creating software.
• Two types of software are system software (such as operating systems) and application software (programs like word processors).
• Licensed software is typically paid, while Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is available for anyone to use and modify.

Systems Software

• Enables application software to interact with hardware
• Helps manage hardware resources
• Provides a user interface for the computer
• System software manages and simplifies the actions for application programs

Systems Software Interface

• An interface between the user (or application software) and the computer hardware
• It is a mediator between the user and the hardware.

Parts of Systems Software

• Operating system
• Utility programs

What is an Operating Systems

• The operating system (OS) is the initial program loaded into memory by a boot program.
• It controls hardware resources and other application programs.

Operating System Cont..

• The OS is the initial software that runs when the computer starts.
• It's the main program in charge of controlling and overseeing other running application programs, which together manage operations of the entire computer system
• The program remains active until the computer shuts down.

The Goals of an Operating System

• Providing a user-friendly environment
• Increasing efficiency in use
• Managing resources

Functions of an Operating System

• Memory management
• Process management
• Device management
• Storage management
• File management
• Software management
• Network management
• Security management
• User management (other functions exist, not listed)

Classification of an OS

• Single-user, single-tasking
• Single-user, multi-tasking
• Multi-user, multi-tasking
• Real-time
• Specific categories based on tasks or users

Single-User OS

• OS that allows one user to perform a single task or multiple tasks on a single computer
• Examples include DOS, Windows 95/98, 2000 Professional, Windows 7, 10, 11.

Multi-User OS

• Multiple users can access a computer simultaneously through a network.
• Examples include Linux OS, Windows Server OS.

Different Types of Operating Systems

• Microsoft Windows
• Apple Macintosh (Mac OS)
• Linux (e.g., Ubuntu)
• Others, such as various distribution versions.

OS Family and Versions

• Microsoft family
• UNIX family (including several distributions, e.g., Linux)
• Macintosh family
• Android family
• Various versions of each family of operating systems are available.

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems Family

• Details of various Windows client and server operating system versions
• The document lists Windows desktop and Server Operating Systems, including versions 1.0 and forward

Microsoft Windows OS Versions (Client Product)

• An ordered list of Microsoft Windows operating systems, indicating their release year

New Features of Windows OS

• New look
• Widgets
• Snap layouts
• Updated default apps
• Multiple desktops
• Tablet mode and docking (other features exist)

User Interfaces of Windows OS

• Command Line Interface (CLI)
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Two different user interface types found in Windows systems, both functional but different

Environment of Windows OS

• Desktop icons
• Start button
• Task Bar
• Task list
• Pinned programs
• System Tray
• Quick Launch Bar
• Show Desktop

Fundamentals Windows

• Graphical environment
• Allowing multiple windows on the screen
• Using icons for programs or information
• Active window management

GUI Objects

• Specific graphical user interface elements, such as windows, command buttons, text boxes, radio buttons, check boxes and dialog boxes
• List boxes
• Drop-down list boxes
• Tab controls
• Toolbars
• Menu bars

Class, Objects, Properties, and Methods

• A paradigm for object-oriented programming
• Classes, objects, properties, and methods are used for establishing the relationship of classes to objects.

Window Controls

• Parts of a Windows application, such as control menu, quick access toolbar, title bar, minimize button, maximize button (close button), restore button, scroll bar, Ribbon (and associated tool bars), and more.

Working with windows

• General instructions on methods for moving, resizing, and closing windows
• How to maximize, minimize, restore, handle borders or corners, drag, and hide/show

Command button

• It performs actions when a user clicks on it

Title Bar

• Displays the name of the program associated with the current active window

Status Bar

• Displays information about the currently opened application

The Horizontal and Vertical Scroll Bars

• Components for navigating content beyond the screen boundaries

The Control Menu

• Displaying a window of various options to modify, adjust, and manage an application (e.g., restore, move, change size, maximize, minimize, and close the window)

Borders and corners

• Sections of a window that allow users to adjust size (resizing)

Dialog Boxes

• Provides specific windows to gather information or make selections

Text Boxes & Password Box

• Enabling users to enter text information
• Password text boxes hide input and only display a character set in place of the typed input (asterisk *)
• Used in Windows programs to hide sensitive inputs.

Radio Buttons & Check Boxes

• Allow a user to select one choice from a list of choices
• Allow a user to select multiple choices

Drop Down List Boxes & Combo Box

• List of different choices to select one
• Combining text boxes with lists, which allow you to choose one from a visible list

Tab Controls

• Allow several different dialog boxes or similar controls associated with a device, often in one area, allowing users to view different sections of the control without confusion and to select from different functions/items

Slider & Spinner

• Adjust setting values with slider
• Selects a value from a list using the spinner. A common interactive method.

Menu

• Menu bar
• Menu category (e.g. file, edit, view)
• Drop-down menu
• Menu item

Menus

• Start menu (initial point in Windows)
• Popup menus (displayed when the right mouse is clicked on an object)
• Drop-down menus (allow selection from a list on the current menu)

The Menu Bar and Tool Bar/Ribbon

• Provides a modern-styled command presentation framework for common user input functions in traditional Windows applications.

Windows Start Menu & System Tools

• Small application programs that implement a limited set of functions
• Useful for various system activities, managing, diagnosing, and resolving issues related to hardware and software problems.

Start Menu (WinKey)

• Windows key (WinKey) is a keyboard key used to open the start menu and other specific functions.
• Press Windows key (WinKey) to open start menu to quickly access menu items

List of Tools & Right Click Menu

• List of tools accessible through the right mouse click menu in Windows, including Notepad, WordPad, Paint 3D, Math input panel, Calculator, Snipping tool, Character Map, Magnifier, Windows Power Shell, Disk Cleaner, Computer Management, and Task Manager.

System Utilities /System Tools

• List of different categories for utilities, such as Windows Accessories, Windows easy of access tools, Windows system tools, Administrative tools, Security tools, Troubleshooting and Maintenance tools, Application and Service management and more.

Graphical User Interface Tools

• GUI tools
• Accept mouse input, have graphical controls (windows, dialog boxes, menus), and require more system resources than command-line tools.

Different Ways of Starting a Program

• Opening applications using the Start menu, Run command, Search function, Task manager, specific file explorer functions, Command prompt/PowerShell shortcuts

Switching between Windows

• Clicking the different windows
• Using the taskbar preview
• Alt + Tab
• Aero Flip 3D
• Mouse scrolling (other methods exist)

Arranging Windows Automatically

• Cascadng/vertically stacking windows (right click)
• Re-sizing windows (using the edge of the window)
• Show Windows side by side

Managing Files and Folders (File Management)

• Tasks involving documents and folders, including common programs like Word, Paint, and Excel to create and edit data info using OS functions.
• Folders organize data like a filing cabinet.

Organizing your Data and Information

• Drive (highest level)
• Folders
• Subfolders
• Files
• Organizing system within Windows OS

Organizing Your Information

• Drive (highest level of hierarchy)
• Folders and files can be organized on drives and folders, in nested structures.

Naming Documents and Folders

• Giving meaningful names
• Character extensions to indicate file type (e.g., .docx, .txt)

Files in Windows

• Icon
• Name
• Extension

Naming Files and Folders Rules

• Cannot use special characters or reserved words
• Naming rules are case-insensitive in Windows 10
• Reserved words (like CON, AUX) by the operating system cannot be used in file naming scheme

User account and Profiles

• User profiles store settings and preferences for individual users.
• User accounts contain details of users to access files, folders, and make changes.
• User accounts require username and password.

Default Folders in Windows

• List of common default folders found in Windows

Path Variable

• System path
• List of folders (semicolon-separated).
• Used by the operating system to look for files when they are called from the Run dialog box, command line, or other processes.

Absolute Path

• Absolute paths are used to identify files and folders regardless of the current location.
• Complete path, like a full address

Relative Path

• The relative path differs based on the current specific directory/location
• Relative path, like a street name

Selecting Files and Folders

• Single selection
• Scattered selection (CTRL + click)
• Block selection (SHIFT between items)
• Select all (CTRL + A or EDIT → SELECT ALL)

Copying Files and Folders

• Copy & Paste (using EDIT/COPY menu or functions)
• Dragging & dropping (with the CTRL key)

Moving Files and Folders

• Cut & Paste
• Using menu bar or popup menu
• Dragging & Dropping

Creating New Folders

• Using FILE menu → NEW → Folder (often in the right pane)
• Right-click the appropriate directory to create a new folder.

Creating New File

• Using FILE menu → NEW → File (often in the right pane, the appropriate directory)
• Right-click the appropriate directory to create a new file.

Renaming Files and Folders

• Clicking on the file and selecting RENAME from the menu bar (the right mouse button also has a rename function)
• Left clicking on the file or folder will present an option

Deleting & Restoring

• Deleted files and folders go to the recycle bin.

Searching

• Search box on the taskbar
• Searching documents, files, the web and more

Windows 10 Cloud

• Use Outlook account, Windows synchronizes documents, contacts to cloud, including OneDrive
• OneDrive is a free cloud storage

Notifications/Action center

• Shows the action center sidebar to view tips, notifications, or quickly access application settings

Some Advanced Features of Windows

• Windows booting process
• Control panel tools
• Settings (OS settings)
• Computer management
• Windows PowerShell (an advanced command-line shell)

Booting Process

• The process of booting up a Microsoft Windows computer

BIOS/MBR Boot Process

• Steps for loading operating system from BIOS input, MBR, Bootloader, and operating system kernel
• Describes the boot menu
• The five main stages of booting up

Windows Control Panel & Tools

• Windows settings tools are included for changing the Windows appearance and related behaviors. Control panels provide a list of settings for various purposes.

Windows Settings

• Main settings (for Windows OS)

Windows Settings (specifics)

• Different section types (e.g., system, devices, phone, network & internet, personalization, apps, accounts, time & language, gaming, ease of access, Cortana, privacy)

Display Personalize Settings

• Modifying background images, colors, themes and more.

Themes

• Themes include changes for the overall appearance of Windows.

Theme Packages (Styles)

• Provide options of various wallpapers, colors, sounds and screen savers

Computer Management Tool

• List of tools for managing or administering local and remote computer configuration

Computer Management

• Overview of management tool list for administrative functions

Windows PowerShell

• Cross-platform
• Command-line shell, scripting language, and configuration management framework
• Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS

PowerShell ISE

• Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE)
• Host application specifically for Windows PowerShell
• Enables single Windows-based graphic user interface for commands, writing scripts and debuging

PowerShell Cmdlet

• A cmdlet always has a verb and a noun
• List of verbs (Get, Start, Out, Stop, Set)

Example Cmdlet

• Get-command
• Get-Help
• Get-Process
• Get-Service
• Get-Content

Q & A

• Question and Answer Session
• Conclusion of the presentation

Test your knowledge on the roles and definitions of different types of system software and application software in computer systems. This quiz covers essential concepts, tools, and functionalities related to software and user interfaces. See how well you understand the important distinctions and features of system software!