COURSE TITLE: COMPUTING SKILLS
COURSE CODE: HEC 1100
HOURS TAUGHT: 2 hours per week
LECTURER: Dr. Victor Olubusayo
LESSON TWO: UNDERSTANDING COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM
2.1 INTRODUCTION
In today's digital age, the operating system (OS) is a crucial component of any computing device,
from personal computers to mobile phones and embedded systems. It acts as the intermediary
between the hardware and software, enabling smooth and efficient operation of all the
applications we use daily. This chapter will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of
operating systems, their various functions, and the types of operating systems that power
different devices.
2.1.1 Learning Outcomes
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
• Define what an operating system is and explain its role in managing computer hardware
and software.
• Identify and describe the key functions of an operating system, including process
management, memory management, and device management.
• Differentiate between various types of operating systems such as general-purpose OS,
mobile OS, embedded OS, network OS, and real-time OS.
• Explain the importance of the user interface in an operating system and compare the
differences between command-line interfaces (CLI) and graphical user interfaces (GUI).
• Discuss the evolution of popular operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux,
and their impact on computing
2.2 What is an operating system?
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the
computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you
to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language.
Without an operating system, a computer is useless. Your computer's operating system (OS)
manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are several
different computer programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your computer's
central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this
to make sure each program gets what it needs.
2.3 Why use an operating system?
An operating system (OS) is essential for a computer because it provides a consistent and
simplified way to manage hardware and software resources. Without an OS, each application
would need to include its own code to handle all low-level functionality, such as managing
memory, processing data, and interfacing with hardware devices like disk drives and network
interfaces. This would make software development impractical and applications extremely
complex.
Here are the key reasons for using an operating system:
• Resource Management: The OS manages the computer's central processing unit (CPU),
memory, storage, and other hardware resources. It ensures that each application gets the
necessary resources while maintaining system stability and efficiency.
• User Interface: The OS provides a user interface, whether it's a command-line interface
(CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI), allowing users to interact with the computer
easily. This interface eliminates the need for users to understand the complex languages
that the computer's hardware operates on.
• Software Platform: The OS serves as a platform for applications to run on, providing a
consistent environment that abstracts the underlying hardware. This allows developers to
write applications without needing to tailor them for different hardware configurations.
• Multitasking: In a multitasking environment, the OS allows multiple applications to run
simultaneously by efficiently managing the allocation of CPU time and other resources.
This ensures that different programs can function smoothly without interfering with each
other.
• Hardware Abstraction: The OS abstracts the complexities of the hardware, providing
standardized APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for developers. This means that
applications can run on different hardware without needing to be rewritten for each
specific device.
• Security and Access Control: The OS enforces security policies, controls access to
resources, and manages user permissions, helping to protect the system from
unauthorized access and ensuring data integrity.
2.4 What are the functions of an operating system?
1. Process Management: Manages the execution of processes, allowing multiple applications
to run simultaneously and efficiently.
2. Memory Management: Allocates and manages the computer's memory, ensuring that each
application has the necessary resources to function properly.
3. Device Management: Controls and manages hardware devices through device drivers,
enabling smooth communication between software and hardware.
4. File System Management: Organizes and manages data storage, providing a structure for
files and directories while controlling access to them.
5. Security and Access Control: Ensures system security by managing user authentication,
access permissions, and protecting the system from unauthorized access
Additionally, an operating system can perform the following services for applications:
✓ In a multitasking operating system, where multiple programs can be running at the same time,
the OS determines which applications should run in what order and how much time should be
allowed for each application before giving another application a turn.
✓ It handles input/output (I/O) to and from attached hardware devices, such as hard disks, printers
and dial-up ports.
✓ It sends messages to each application or interactive user -- or to a system operator -- about the
status of operation and any errors that may have occurred.
✓ On computers that can provide parallel processing, an operating system can manage how to
divide the program so that it runs on more than one processor at a time.
✓ All major computer platforms (hardware and software) require, and sometimes include, an
operating system, and operating systems must be developed with different features to meet the
specific needs of various form factors.
✓ An operating system is responsible for identifying the correct printer and installing the
appropriate printer drivers so that an application needs to only make calls to the printer without
having to use codes or commands that are specific to that printer -- that is the operating system's
job. The situation is similar for other devices, such as USB ports; networking ports; graphics
devices, such as graphics processing units (GPUs); motherboard chipsets; and storage devices,
such as Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) disk adapters and disks that are formatted with a suitable
file system.
2.5 Operating system types and examples
Although the fundamental roles of an operating system are ubiquitous, there are countless
operating systems that serve a wide range of hardware and user needs.
General-purpose operating system. A general-purpose OS represents an array of operating
systems intended to run a multitude of applications on a broad selection of hardware, enabling a
user to run one or more applications or tasks simultaneously. A general-purpose OS can be
installed on many different desktop and laptop models and run applications from accounting
systems to databases to web browsers to games. General-purpose operating systems typically
focus on process (thread) and hardware management to ensure that applications can reliably
share the wide range of computing hardware present.
2.6 Common desktop operating systems include the following:
Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy. Most people use the
operating system that comes with their computer, but it's possible to upgrade or even change
operating systems. The three most common operating systems for personal computers are
Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). A GUI
lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed
on the screen using a combination of graphics and text.
Each operating system's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a different operating
system it may seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern operating systems are designed to be easy
to use, and most of the basic principles are the same.
2.6.1 Microsoft Windows
Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been many different
versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows 8
(2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on most
new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.
2.6.2 MacOS
macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preloaded
on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave (released in
2018), High Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).
According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than 10% of global operating
systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows users (more than 80%). One reason for this is
that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and feel
of macOS over Windows.
2.6.3 Linux
Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they can be
modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary software like
Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it
is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can choose from.
According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global operating
systems. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.
2.6.4 Operating systems for mobile devices
The operating systems we've been talking about so far were designed to run on desktop and laptop
computers. Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers, and MP3 players are different from
desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile
devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple iOS and Google Android. In the
screenshot below, you can see iOS running on an iPad.
Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully featured as those made for desktop and
laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all of the same software. However, you can still do a lot of
things with them, like watch movies, browse the Web, manage your calendar, and play games.
1.7 Embedded operating system
Not all computing devices are general purpose. A huge assortment of dedicated devices -- including home
digital assistants, automated teller machines (ATMs), airplane systems, retail point of sale (POS) terminals
and internet of things (IoT) devices -- includes computers that require an operating system. The principal
difference is that the associated computing device only does one major thing, so the OS is highly stripped
down and dedicated to both performance and resilience. The OS should run quickly, not crash, and handle
all errors gracefully in order to continue operating in all circumstances. In most cases, the OS is provided
on a chip that is incorporated into the actual device. A medical device used in a patient's life support
equipment, for example, will employ an embedded OS that must run reliably in order to keep the patient
alive. Embedded Linux is one example of an embedded OS.
1.8 Network operating system
A network operating system (NOS) is another specialized OS intended to facilitate communication
between devices operating on a local area network (LAN). A NOS provides the communication stack
needed to understand network protocols in order to create, exchange and decompose network packets.
Today, the concept of a specialized NOS is largely obsolete because other OS types largely handle network
communication. Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019, for example, include comprehensive networking
capabilities. The concept of a NOS is still used for some networking devices, such as routers, switches and
firewalls, and manufacturers may employ proprietary NOSes, including Cisco Internetwork Operating
System (IOS), RouterOS and ZyNOS.
Real-time operating system. When a computing device must interact with the real world within constant
and repeatable time constraints, the device manufacturer may opt to use a real-time operating system
(RTOS). For example, an industrial control system may direct the operations of a sprawling factory or
power plant. Such a facility will produce signals from myriad sensors and also send signals to operate
valves, actuators, motors and countless other devices. In these situations, the industrial control system must
respond quickly and predictably to changing real-world conditions -- otherwise, disaster may result. An
RTOS must function without buffering, processing latencies and other delays, which are perfectly
acceptable in other types of operating systems. Two examples of RTOSes include FreeRTOS and
VxWorks.
The differences between operating system types are not absolute, and some operating systems can share
characteristics of others. For example, general-purpose operating systems routinely include the networking
capabilities found in a traditional NOS. Similarly, an embedded operating system commonly includes
attributes of an RTOS, while a mobile operating system can still typically run numerous apps
simultaneously like other general-purpose operating systems.
2.9 What is an application?
You may have heard people talking about using a program, an application, or an app. But what exactly
does that mean? Simply put, an app is a type of software that allows you to perform specific tasks.
Applications for desktop or laptop computers are sometimes called desktop applications, while those for
mobile devices are called mobile apps.
When you open an application, it runs inside the operating system until you close it. Most of the time,
you will have more than one application open at the same time, which is known as multi-tasking.
App is a common term for an application, especially for simple applications that can be downloaded
inexpensively or even for free. Many apps are also available for mobile devices and even some TVs.
2.9.1 Desktop applications
There are countless desktop applications, and they fall into several categories. Some are more full
featured (like Microsoft Word), while others may only do one or two things (like a clock or calendar
app). Below are just a few types of applications you might use.
▶ Word processors: A word processor allows you to write a letter, design a flyer, and create many other
types of documents. The most well-known word processor is Microsoft Word.
▶ Web browsers: A web browser is the tool you use to access the Internet. Most computers come
with a web browser pre-installed, but you can also download a different one if you prefer. Examples of
browsers include Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari.
▶ Media players: If you want to listen to MP3s or watch movies you've downloaded, you'll need to
use a media player. Windows Media Player and iTunes are popular media players.
▶ G a m e s : There are many types of games you can play on your computer. They range from card games
like Solitaire to action games like Halo. Many action games require a lot of computing power, so they
may not work unless you have a newer computer.
2.9.2 Mobile apps
Desktop and laptop computers aren't the only devices that can run applications. You can also download
apps for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Here are a few examples of mobile apps.
▶ Gmail: You can use the Gmail app to easily view and send emails from your mobile device. It's
available for Android and iOS devices.
▶ Instagram: You can use Instagram to quickly share photos with your friends and family. It's available
for Android and iOS.
▶ Duolingo: With a combination of quizzes, games, and other activities, this app can help you learn new
languages. It's available for Android and iOS.
2.94 Setting up a computer
So you have a new computer and you're ready to set it up. This may seem like an overwhelming and
complicated task, but it's actually a lot easier than you might think! Most computers are set up in a similar
way, so it doesn't matter what brand of computer you have.
If you're setting up a new computer that's still in the box, you'll probably find a how-to guide that
includes step-by-step details. Even if it didn't include instructions, you can still set up the computer in
a few easy steps. We'll take you through the different steps needed to set up a typical computer.
2.9.5 Setting up a laptop computer
If you have a laptop, setup should be easy: Just open it and press the power button. If the battery isn't
charged, you'll need to plug in the AC adapter. You can continue using the laptop while it charges.
If your laptop has any peripherals, like external speakers, you may want to read the instructions
below. Laptops and desktops generally use the same types of connections, so the same steps will still
apply.
2.9.6 Setting up a desktop computer
Step 1
Unpack the monitor and computer case from the box. Remove any plastic covering or protective tape.
Place the monitor and computer case on a desk or work area.
Be sure to place your computer case in an area that is well ventilated and has good air flow. This will
help to prevent the computer from overheating.
Step 2
Locate the monitor cable. There are several types of monitor cables, so the one for your computer may
not look like the one in the image below.
If you're having trouble finding your monitor cable, refer to the instruction manual for your computer.
(If you have an all-in-one computer that's built into the monitor, you can skip to Step 4).
Step 3
Connect one end of the cable to the monitor port on the back of the computer case and the other end
to the monitor.
Many computer cables will only fit a specific way. If the cable doesn't fit, don't force it or you might
damage the connectors. Make sure the plug aligns with the port, then connect it. To figure out which
cables belong in which ports, try our Connecting Cables interactive.
Step 4
Unpack the keyboard and determine whether it uses a USB (rectangular) connector or a PS/2 (round)
connector. If it uses a USB connector, plug it into any of the USB ports on the back of the computer. If it
uses a PS/2 connector, plug it into the purple keyboard port on the back of the computer.
Step 5
Unpack the mouse and determine whether it uses a USB or PS/2 connector. If it uses a USB connector,
plug it into any of the USB ports on the back of the computer. If it uses a PS/2 connector, plug it into the
green mouse port on the back of the computer.
If your keyboard has a USB port, you can connect your mouse to the keyboard instead of connecting it
directly to your computer.
If you have a wireless mouse or keyboard, you may need to connect a Bluetooth dongle (USB adapter)
to your computer. However, many computers have built-in Bluetooth, so an adapter may not be necessary.
Step 6
If you have external speakers or headphones, you can connect them to your computer's audio port
(either on the front or back of the computer case). Many computers have color-coded ports. Speakers
or headphones connect to the green port, and microphones connect to the pink port. The blue port is
the line in, which can be used with other types of devices.
Some speakers, headphones, and microphones have USB connectors instead of the usual audio plug.
These can be connected to any USB port. In addition, many computers have speakers or microphones
built into the monitor.
Step 7
Locate the two power supply cables that came with your computer. Plug the first power supply cable
into the back of the computer case and then into a surge protector. Then, using the other cable, connect
the monitor to the surge protector.
You can also use an uninterruptable power supply (UPS), which acts as a surge protector and provides
temporary power if there is a power outage.
Step 8
Finally, plug the surge protector into a wall outlet. You may also need to turn on the surge protector if
it has a power switch. If you don't have a surge protector, you can plug the computer directly into the wall.
However, this is not recommended because electrical surges can damage your computer.
Step 9
If you have a printer, scanner, webcam, or other peripherals, you can connect them at this point. Many
peripherals are plug and play, which means they will be recognized by your computer as soon as they
are plugged in.
Other peripherals may include software that needs to be installed before you can begin using them. Use
the instructions included with the device to install it if necessary. Generally, peripherals are optional, and
you can add new ones at any time; you don't have to add all peripherals during the initial setup of your
computer.
Setup complete!
That's it—you've finished setting up your computer, so it's time to start using it! We'll talk more about
how to use your computer over the next several lessons.
2.10 Getting started with your first computer
A computer is more than just another household appliance. The vast amount of information and
possibilities can be overwhelming. But you can accomplish a lot with a computer, and using one can be a
good experience. Let's walk through getting started with your first computer.
Turning on a computer for the first time can be different from one computer to the next. Your experience
could be different from this lesson. It's OK to ask someone for help.
If you're using a desktop computer, you'll need to make sure that the keyboard, mouse, and monitor are
plugged into the computer case before you continue. Review our lesson on Setting Up a Computer to
learn how.
2.10.1 Turning on a computer
The very first step is to turn on the computer. To do this, locate and press the power button. It's in a
different place on every computer, but it will have the universal power button symbol (shown below).
Once turned on, your computer takes time before it's ready to use. You may see a few different displays
flash on the screen. This process is called booting up, and it can take anywhere from 15 seconds to several
minutes.
Once the computer has booted up, it may be ready to use, or it may require you to log in. This means
identifying yourself by typing your user name or selecting your profile, then typing your password. If
you've never logged in to your computer before, you may need to create an account.
The keyboard and mouse
You interact with a computer mainly by using the keyboard and mouse, or a trackpad on laptops.
Learning to use these devices is essential to learning to use a computer. Most people find it comfortable
to place the keyboard on the desk directly in front of them and the mouse to one side of the keyboard.
The mouse controls the pointer on the screen. Whenever you move the mouse across the desk, the pointer
will move in a similar manner. A mouse usually has two buttons, which are referred to as the left button
and the right button. You will often interact with the computer by moving the mouse pointer over
something on the computer screen, then clicking one of the buttons.
On laptops, you can use the trackpad, located below the keyboard, instead of a mouse. Simply drag your
finger across the trackpad to move the pointer on the screen. Some trackpads do not have buttons, so
you'll either press or tap the trackpad to click.
The keyboard allows you to type letters, numbers, and words into the computer. Whenever you see a
flashing vertical line—called the cursor—you can start typing.
Note that the mouse pointer is also called a cursor, but it is shaped differently. The keyboard cursor
is also called the insertion point.
Using a computer
The main screen you'll start from is the desktop. This is sort of like a main menu or a table of contents.
From here, you can access the programs and features you need to use your computer. Icons are used to
represent the different files, applications, and commands on your computer. An icon is a small
image that's intended to give you an idea at a glance of what it represents, like a logo. Double-
clicking an icon on the desktop will open that application or file.
A button is a command that performs a specific function within an application. The most commonly
used commands in a program will be represented by buttons.
Menus are organized collections of commands and shortcuts. Click a menu to open it and display the
commands and shortcuts within. Then click an item in the menu to execute it.
When you open an application or folder, it is displayed in its own window. A window is a contained
area—like a picture within a picture—with its own menus and buttons specific to that program. You can
rearrange multiple windows on the desktop and switch between them.
2.11 PRACTICES QUESTION
1. What is the primary purpose of an operating system?
2. Describe the process management function of an operating system.
3. What is the role of a device driver in an operating system?
4. Explain the difference between a general-purpose operating system and an embedded operating
system.
5. How does an operating system ensure security and access control?
6. The operating system is responsible for managing both hardware and software resources in a
computer. True or False
7. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is a text-based interface that requires commands to be typed out.
True or False
8. Multitasking in an operating system allows multiple processes to run simultaneously by managing
CPU time. True or False
9. All types of operating systems have the same functionality and are designed for the same purposes.
10. Discuss the importance of memory management in an operating system. Explain how the
operating system allocates and protects memory resources, and why this is critical for system stability
and efficiency
2.12 REFERENCE
Stallings, W., & Brown, L. (2018). Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles (9th ed.).
Pearson.
Silberschatz, A., Galvin, P. B., & Gagne, G. (2018). Operating System Concepts (10th ed.). Wiley.
Tanenbaum, A. S., & Bos, H. (2015). Modern Operating Systems (4th ed.). Pearson.
