Function and importance of an operating system (OS)
Function and importance of an operating system (OS)– Communication with the computer is only possible with the help of the operating system (OS). It is a program which has to be available in the computer’s memory, as it administers the running of other programs and helps the user control the computer system.
Operating System:
The operating system is the most important program run on a computer. It performs several important functions.
Running programs
The operating system ensures that the computer follows all instructions accurately. It runs all the system and application software.
Sharing information
The operating system makes sure that data from one file is copied to the right location.
Multitasking
When two or more programs need to share the processor, memory, and peripheral devices, the operating system makes both programs run smoothly.
Managing files and directories
The operating system makes sure that each file is stored at the right address. It gets files from the memory when the user needs them.
Controlling peripheral devices
When two or more peripheral devices need to be used at the same time, the operating system ensures that they work together easily.
The user interface
As the range of computer applications has grown along with the number of computer users, different ways have been developed to allow communication between the user and the computer. This is called the user interface or user environment.
All user interface designs are limited by the capabilities of machines and people. Speech is the most common form of communication between people but the development of communication methods between people and computers based on speech has not yet produced cheap and reliable systems for everyday use.
Communication through text is limited by the speed at which people can read text presented on the screen and type responses using a keyboard. A command line interface, such as DOS, allows users to type in commands to the computer. As a result, many software designers have developed graphical ways of interaction between users and computers.
GUI:
GUI full form is Graphical User Interface
A graphical user interface allows users to give commands through icons and pull-down menus. The most popular GUI-based operating system is Microsoft Windows. Windows loads automatically when we start the computer. After Windows has completely loaded, we can see a screen called the desktop.
The desktop
The desktop is a workspace where we can find important tools. These tools are used to perform tasks like starting a program or opening a document.
The pointer
Microsoft Windows allows users to use a mouse to give commands. The mouse moves a pointer on the desktop to select icons and menu options.
Objects and icons
The programs and files on the desktop are called objects. Each object is represented by an icon. An icon is a picture or a symbol that represents a program or file.
The taskbar
The taskbar is a horizontal bar at the bottom of the desktop. On the left end, it has a Start button. Clicking on the Start button displays the Start Menu. The Start Menu lists all the programs and files for users to select from.
All Programs
All Programs allows users to select from all the programs and files stored on the system.
My Recent Documents
My Recent Documents allows users to select files that have been used most recently.
Run
The Run feature allows users to open a program or file by typing its name.
Shut Down
Shut Down allows users to shut down the computer. The right end of the taskbar contains the Notification Area. This area displays the time, date, and volume settings on the computer. The space in between the Start button and the Notification Area is used to place a tab for each open window.
The My Computer option or icon opens a window giving information about the drives and peripheral devices. A drive is a part of the computer’s memory.
The Recycle Bin option or icon opens a window that displays all the deleted items.
The My Documents folder contains files and folders.
The icon for the Internet Explorer program opens a window that displays information from the World Wide Web.
Opening a window
There are three ways of opening a window.
- You may double-click on the icon if it is present on the desktop.
- You may select the file or program from the Start Menu.
- You may type the name of the file or program by using the Run feature.
A window is a rectangular area that displays a document or program. Several overlapping windows might be open at the same time. The window on top is called the active window. Windows beneath the active window are called inactive windows.
The Title Bar
The Title Bar displays the name of the file that has been opened.
The Maximize button
Clicking on the Maximize button on the Title Bar enlarges the window to fit the screen. The Maximize button then changes into the Restore button. Clicking on the Restore button returns the window to its previous size.
The Minimize button
Clicking on the Minimize button reduces the window to a tab on the taskbar. Clicking on the tab returns the window to its original size.
The Close button
We can close a window by clicking on the Close button. The window disappears from the desktop and the taskbar.
The Menu Bar
A menu is a list of commands. The Menu Bar contains menu tabs. We can choose menus and commands with a mouse or a keyboard.
Toolbars
A toolbar is a horizontal strip that contains related tools represented by icons instead of names. The Formatting Toolbar is a common toolbar.
Scroll bars
Each window has , vertical and a horizontal scroll bar. Scroll bars allow use’s to move from top to bottom or left to right on a window.
The Status Bar
The Status Bar is a horizontal strip at the bottom of the window. It gives information about the status of the file or program.
Files and folders
A computer file is a space on the computer’s hard disk to store data. We can create a computer file under a suitable name. A folder is a group of related files.
How to create a file
A file in a word processing program can be created by following the steps below.
- To create a Word file, go to the File Menu and click on New. You can enter data. To save the file, go to the File Menu and click on Save As.
- Name the file and select the folder in which you want to save it.
- Click on Save.
How to create a folder
You can create a folder on the desktop by following the steps given below.
- Press the right-hand button on the mouse. A menu opens on the desktop. a Move the pointer to New to highlight it. This opens another menu.
- Click on Folder. An icon of a folder is created on the desktop.
- Type a name in the box below the icon to give the folder a name.
- When you double-click on the icon, a window opens showing the contents of the folder. A new folder is empty.
Files can also be created on the desktop in the same way.
- Press the right-hand button of the mouse. A menu opens on the desktop.
- Take the pointer to New. This opens another menu.
- Take the pointer to Microsoft Word Document and click on it. An icon of a Word document is created on the desktop.
- Type a name in the box below the icon to give the document a name.
- When you double-click on the icon, a window opens showing the contents of the document. A new document is empty, so you would see a blank document.
Copying a file or folder to a different location
Suppose you have two folders: Right and Byte. The Right folder contains a file called Test. You want to have a copy of this file in the Byte folder.
- Select the file Test in the active window Right, by clicking on its icon.
- Right-click on the icon to open a menu.
- Move the pointer to Copy and click on it.
- Now select the inactive window Byte.
- Right-click on an empty space to open a menu.
- Move the pointer to Paste and click on it.
Dragging a file or folder to a different location
You might wish to move a file or folder to a new folder without keeping a copy the original folder.
- Click on the icon of the file Test without releasing the button.
- With the button pressed, drag the pointer to the window byte.
- Release the button.
Moving a file or folder Without dragging it
You might want to move a file or folder to another location without dragging it.
- Select the file Test in the active window Right, by clicking on its icon.
- Right-click the icon to open a menu.
- Move the pointer to Cut and click on it.
- Now select the inactive window Byte.
- Right-click in an empty space to open a menu.
- Move the pointer to Paste and click on it.
Deleting a file or folder
To delete a file means to remove it from the computer’s memory.
- Select the file or folder by clicking on its icon.
- Right-click the icon to open a menu.
- Move the pointer to Delete and click on it.
- Click on the Yes tab in the box that appears.
The file or folder has been deleted.
We can also delete an object by selecting it and pressing the Delete key.
Summary : Conclusion
- The operating system runs all the system and application software.
- The operating system ensures that data is copied to the right location.
- The operating system makes two or more programs run together smoothly.
- The operating system stores files at the right address.
- The operating system makes two or more devices run together smoothly.
- The user interface or user environment allows communication between the user and the computer.
- A graphical user interface allows users to give commands through icons and pull-down menus. The most popular GUI-based operation system is Microsoft Windows.
- The desktop is a workspace where we can find important tools.
- The mouse moves a pointer on the desktop to select icons and menu options.
- The taskbar is a horizontal bar at the bottom of the desktop.
- The Start Menu lists all the programs and files for users to select from.
- All Programs allows users to select from all the stored programs and files.
- My Recent Documents allows users to select the most recent files.
- The Run feature allows users to open a program or file by typing its name.
- Shut Down allows users to shut down the computer.
- The Notification Area displays the time, date, and volume settings.
- The option My Computer provides information about drives and peripheral devices.
- A drive is a part of the computer’s memory.
- The Recycle Bin option/icon displays all the deleted items.
- My Documents contains files and folders.
- The Internet Explorer option/icon displays information from the World Wide Web. • A window is a rectangular area that displays a document or program.
- A window can be opened by double-clicking on the icon, selecting the file or program from the Start Menu, or by using the Run feature.
- The Title Bar displays the name of the file that has been opened.
- The Maximize and Minimize buttons are used to change the size of the window.
- A menu is a list of commands. The Menu Bar contains menu tabs.
- A toolbar contains related tools represented by icons.
- Scroll bars allow users to view different areas of a large window.
- The Status Bar gives information about the status of the file or program.
- A computer file is a space on the computer’s hard disk to store data.
- A folder is a group of related files.
- It is possible to create files and folders on the Windows desktop.
- We can copy files or folders by using the Copy/Paste command.
- We can move files or folders by using the Cut/Paste command or by dragging them.