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OPERATING SYSTEMS AND FILE MANAGEMENT

Operating System (OS) type of system software that acts as the master controller for all activities that take place within a
computer system
Operating System Tasks
o Manage processor resources
o Manage memory
o Keep track of storage resources
o Ensure orderly manner of input and output process
o Establish basic elements of the user interface
Multitasking ability of a computer, processor, or operating system to run more than one program, job, or task at the same time
Multithreading technology that allows multiple parts or threads from a program to run simultaneously
Multiprocessing ability of a computer or operating system to support dual core processors or multiple processors
Memory Leak situation in which instructions and data from one area of memory overflow into memory allocate to another
program
Categories of Operating Systems:
Single-user operating system designed for one user at a time using one set of input devices
Multiuser operating system allows a single, centralized computer to deal with simultaneous input, output, and processing
requests from many users
Server operating system provides tools for managing distributed networks, e-mail servers, and Web hosting sites
Desktop operating system designed for a personal computer
User interface the software and hardware that enable people to interact with computers
Types of User Interface:
Command-line interface a style of user interface that requires users to type commands, rather than use a mouse to
manipulate on-screen controls
Graphical user interface (GUI) features on-screen objects, such as menus and icons, manipulated by a mouse
Basic elements of a GUI
o Desktop that contains icons, menus, windows, and taskbars
o Icon small picture that represents a program, file, or hardware device
o Window rectangular work area that can hold a program, data, or controls
o Menu bars, toolbars, taskbars, or ribbons
Menu displays a list of command or options
2 methods to present a reasonably sized list of options:
Submenus additional set of commands that the computer displays after you make a selection from the main menu
Dialog box displays the options associated with a command
For most computers, OS is stored on a hard disk, for handhelds and videogame consoles, it is stored in ROM
Boot Process sequence of events that occurs within a computer system between the time the user starts the computer and the
time it is ready to process commands
OS kernel provides essential operating system services, such as memory management and file access
Bootstrap Program program stored in ROM that loads and initializes the operating system on a computer
TODAYS OPERATING SYSTEMS
Microsoft Windows got its name from the rectangular work areas that appear on the screen-based desktop
o Strengths of Windows:
The number and variety of programs that run on Windows
The variety of hardware platform that run Windows
User community
Excellent support for hardware and peripheral devices
o Windows weaknesses:
Reliability
Security
o Versions of Microsoft Windows:
Desktop editions designed for personal computers
Server editions designed for LAN, Internet, and Web servers
Embedded editions designed for handheld devices
Mac OS (Macintosh Operating System) designed for Apple omputers Macintosh line of computer systems
o Unique features:
Apple icon
Dock
An application menu strip at the top of the screen

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Strengths of Mac OS:

Easy-to-use
Reliable
Secure Operating System
Dual Boot (Boot Camp) dual boot utility that can switch between Mac OS X and Windows
Virtual machine (VM) software that creates an operating environment that emulated another computer
platform
o Weaknesses:
Limited selection of software
Use of Resource forks
o 2 parts of Macs file:
Data fork part of the file that contains the text, audio, or video data
Resource fork storage characteristic of Mac OS that creates a file containing a description of the data
stored in an accompanying raw data file
UNIX and LINUX
o UNIX multiuser, multitasking server operating system developed by AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1969
o Linux operating system that is a derivative of UNIX, available as freeware, and widely used for servers though it is
also used on personal computers and workstations
o Strengths of LINUX:
Distributed along with its source code (GPL)
Encouraged programmers to develop Linux utilities, software, and enhancements
Multiuser and multitasking capabilities
Secure and reliable
o Weaknesses of LINUX
Required a little bit more tinkering than Windows and Mac OS
Limited number of programs
o Linux distribution download that contains the Linux kernel, system utilities, graphical user interface, application,
and an installation routine
o Google Chrome OS is built on Linux kernel
DOS (Disk Operating System) the operating system software shipped with the first IBM PCs, the used on millions of
computers until the introduction of Microsoft Windows
Handheld Operating Systems:
o Palm webOS developed for popular Palm brand PDAs and smartphones. It is based on a system of cards that
represent applications in a multitasking environment
o Symbian used with Nokia and Ericsson smartphones
o Windows Phone 7 features a series of tiles that represent application, contacts, links, or media
o BlackBerry OS proprietary OS produced by RIM, the Canadian company that developed the Blackberry
smartphone
o Android OS open source OS developed by Google and designed for mobile devices
o iOS version of Mac OS X written for the iPhones ARM processor and optimized for touch-screen communications
applications
Mobile apps typically small, focused application software products designed for the limited screen real estate provided by mobile
phone or media player; work only on devices running the corresponding operating software
Apps usually downloaded directly to a phone or other handheld device
Computer files named collection of data that exists on a storage medium
File extension optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a period
Disk Partition section of a hard disk that is treated as a separate storage unit
Directory in the context of computer file management, a list of files contained on a computer storage device
Root Directory main directory and can be subdivided into smaller lists called a subdirectory
Folder subdirectories or subdivisions of a directory that can contain files or other folders
Backlash special symbol that separates folder name from a drive letter and other folder names
Computers file location defined by a file specification (or path), which includes the drive letter, folder(s), file name, and extension
File size physical size of a file on a storage medium, usually measured in kb or mb
File date useful if you have created several versions of a file and want to make sure you know which is the most recent
File format refers to the organization and layout of data that is stored in a file
File header section of data at the beginning of a file that contains information about a file
Executable File Extensions:

Data File Extensions:

A software application can open files that exist in its native file format, plus several additional file formats
File management utility software that helps users locate, rename, move, copy, and delete files
Logical storage models (storage metaphor) any visual or conceptual aid that helps a computer user visualize a file storage system
Library super folder that contains pointers to various folders and files
Physical storage model describes what actually happens on the disks and in the circuits
Disc mastering process of creating a CD, DVD, BD by selecting all the files and then copying then in a single session
Packet writing recording technology that lets you record in multiple sessions
File system method that is used by an operating system to keep files organized
- Primary task: maintain a list of clusters and keep track of which are empty and which hold data. This information is stored
in a special index file. If your computer uses NTFS, it is called the Master File Table (MFT)
File shredder software software designed to overwrite sectors of a disk with a random series of 1s and 0s to ensure deletion of
data
Recycle Bin designed to protect you from accidentally deleting hard disk files you actually need
Fragmented files files stored in scattered, non-contiguous clusters on a disk
Defragmentation utility software tool used to rearrange the files on a disk so that they are stored in contiguous clusters
BACKUP SECURITY
Backup duplicate copy of file, disk or tape
Backup schedule depends on how much data you can afford to lose
Backup device depends on the value of your data, your current equipment, and your budget
File synchronization process of keeping two sets of files updated so they are the same
System synchronization used to back up all the data files, program files, and system software on your computer
Backup software set of utility programs designed to back up and restore some or all of the files on a computer;s primary storage
device
Full Backup makes a fresh copy of every file in the folders youve specified for the backup
Differential backup makes a backup of only those files that were added or changed since your last full backup session
Incremental backup makes a backup of the files that were added or changed since the last backup
Boot disk removable storage medium containing the operating system files needed to boot your computer without accessing the
hard disk
Recovery disk bootable CD, DVD, or other media that contains a complete copy of your computers hard disk as it existed when the
computer was new
Restore point snapshot of your computer settings; essentially backups of the Windows Registry