Software: operating systems and applications

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課程筆記

Software Types

System software manages and runs the computer itself, while application software performs tasks for the user.
The operating system (OS) is the main system software, managing hardware and software resources.
System programs are associated with the OS but may not be part of the kernel; applications are all other software.
Examples of application software include word processors, web browsers, and games.

Software divides into system software, application software and utility software.

What an Operating System Does

The OS acts as an intermediary between programs and hardware, handling input/output and memory allocation.
It allocates resources like CPU time and memory between running applications, preventing any one program from monopolizing them.
It isolates applications from each other to protect against errors and security issues, while still allowing them to communicate.
It provides an abstract interface for hardware, making it easier for programmers to write software without knowing hardware details.
It offers common services such as file system access and network connectivity, so apps can run on different hardware without rewriting.

The Kernel and System Programs

The kernel is the core part of the OS that is always running.
The kernel manages the CPU, memory, and devices, and provides basic services to other software.
System programs are utilities that help manage the computer but are not part of the kernel; examples include disk formatters and file managers.
Applications rely on the kernel via system calls to request services like reading a file or sending data over a network.

Types of Operating Systems

Desktop OSes like Windows, macOS, and Linux are designed for personal computers.
Mobile OSes like Android and iOS are for smartphones and tablets.
Embedded OSes run on devices like smart TVs, microwaves, and smartwatches; they do not load user-installed software.
Real-time OSes guarantee timely responses for critical tasks, used in industrial machines and medical devices.
Distributed systems connect multiple computers that work together, often using middleware to coordinate.
Multicomputer OSes manage clusters of computers, common in cloud computing, using techniques like remote procedure calls.

Popular Operating Systems

As of November 2025, Android is the most popular OS with 38% market share, followed by Windows at 33%.
iOS and iPadOS together have 15%, macOS 4%, and Linux 1%.
Linux dominates servers and supercomputers.
Some OSes come pre-installed on new computers (OEM), while others can run from a live CD or USB without installation.

How Software and Hardware Work Together

When a program runs, the CPU executes its instructions directly, but the OS manages the hardware resources it needs.
Programs make system calls to the OS for tasks like reading input or writing output.
The OS schedules tasks to use the CPU efficiently, giving each program a share of processing time.
Virtual memory lets programs use more memory than physically available by using disk space, giving the illusion of large memory.

Utilities and System Programs

Utilities are system programs that help manage and maintain the computer, such as disk cleanup, antivirus, and backup tools.
They are part of the OS but not the kernel.
Utilities handle tasks like file compression, data backup, and system monitoring.

A backup utility copies user files to an external drive and to cloud storage.

The operating system sits between application programs and the hardware, managing CPU, memory, storage and devices.

A multitasking operating system gives each application a short slice of CPU time in turn, so they all appear to run together.

An application sends a print command to the operating system, which passes it to the printer driver.

When RAM is full the operating system moves inactive pages out to storage and brings needed pages back in.

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免費預覽——61 題中的 8 題。註冊即可查看全部。

1.An operating system is an example of system software.
Easy
True or false?
2.Application software manages the computer's hardware resources.
Easy
True or false?
3.The kernel is the part of the operating system that is always running.
Easy
True or false?
4.An embedded operating system typically allows users to install their own applications.
Easy
True or false?
5.Which of the following is the most popular operating system as of November 2025?
Easy
- AAndroid
- BMicrosoft Windows
- CiOS
- DLinux
6.Which of the following are listed in the source as purposes of an operating system? (select all that apply)
Easy
- AAllocating resources between applications
- BProviding an interface that abstracts hardware details
- CCompiling application source code
- DProviding common services such as network and disk access
7.Match each type of operating system with its description.
Medium
- Embedded OS
- Distributed system
- Multicomputer OS
- Designed for devices that do not load user-installed software
- A group of distinct networked computers that may be dispersed worldwide
- Multiple CPUs each with their own memory
8.Arrange the following steps in the order they occur when a program runs on a computer, according to the source.
Medium
- The application makes a system call to the OS
- The application code is executed directly by the hardware
- The OS may interrupt the application for hardware functions

複習筆記

## Software: Operating Systems and Applications ### What is an Operating System? An **operating system (OS)** is **system software** that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs. It acts as an intermediary between programs and hardware, but application code usually runs directly on hardware and makes **system calls** to the OS. ### Three Main Purposes of an OS 1. **Resource allocation**: The OS allocates resources (CPU time, memory space) between applications, ensuring no single program monopolizes them. It also isolates applications to protect them from errors and security issues, while enabling communication between them. 2. **Hardware abstraction**: The OS provides an interface that hides hardware details (like physical memory) from programmers. Virtualization (e.g., virtual memory) can mask limited hardware, giving programs the illusion of more memory than exists. 3. **Common services**: The OS offers services like network and disk access, allowing applications to run on different hardware without rewriting. ### System Software vs Application Software - **System software**: Includes the OS and system programs (associated with the OS but not part of the kernel). - **Application software**: All other programs (e.g., word processors, games). ### The Kernel - The **kernel** is the core part of the OS that is always running. It manages the system's resources. ### Types of Operating Systems - **Multicomputer OS**: For clusters with multiple CPUs, each with its own memory. Used in cloud computing. Techniques include remote procedure calls and distributed shared memory. - **Distributed systems**: A group of distinct, networked computers, possibly worldwide. Middleware (an extra layer between OS and apps) improves consistency but is not a true OS. - **Embedded OS**: Designed for embedded systems (e.g., household appliances). They do not load user-installed software, so they don't need protection between apps. Examples: Embedded Linux, QNX, VxWorks, RIOT, TinyOS. - **Real-time OS**: (not detailed here) ### Popular Operating Systems (as of Nov 2025) - Android (38%), Windows (33%), iOS/iPadOS (15%), macOS (4%), Linux (1%). - Android, iOS, iPadOS are for mobile; Windows, macOS, Linux for desktops. Linux dominates servers/supercomputers. ### Installation and Boot - OSes may require installation, come pre-installed (OEM), or run from media (live CD) or USB (LiveUSB). ### Key Takeaway An OS manages hardware, files, users, and processes, enabling software and hardware to work together to run programs.

Operating system (OS): System software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs.
System software: Software that manages and controls computer hardware so that application software can perform tasks. Includes the operating system and system programs.
Application software: All other software that is not system software; programs that perform specific tasks for users, such as word processors or games.
Kernel: The core part of the operating system that is always running and manages the computer's resources.
System call: A request made by an application to the operating system to perform a function, such as input/output or memory allocation.
Resource allocation: The process by which the operating system distributes resources (like CPU time and memory) among applications.
Virtualization: A technique used by the operating system to mask limited hardware resources, e.g., virtual memory gives the illusion of more memory than physically exists.
Middleware: An additional software layer between the operating system and applications, used in distributed systems to improve consistency; not a true operating system.
Embedded operating system: An operating system designed for embedded systems (e.g., appliances) that does not load user-installed software, so it doesn't need protection between applications.
Distributed system: A group of distinct, networked computers, each possibly with its own OS and file system, that work together.
Multicomputer: A system with multiple CPUs, each with its own memory, often used in cloud computing.

字卡

What is the main difference between system software and application software?

System software (like the operating system) manages and runs the computer itself, while application software performs specific tasks for the user, such as word processing or browsing the web.

What are the three main purposes of an operating system?

1) Allocate resources between applications (CPU time, memory). 2) Provide an interface that abstracts hardware details for programmers. 3) Provide common services like network and disk access.

What is the kernel in an operating system?

The kernel is the core part of the operating system that is always running and manages the computer's resources. It handles low-level tasks like memory and process management.

What is a system call?

A system call is a request made by an application program to the operating system to perform a privileged operation, such as reading a file or sending network data.

Name three examples of mobile operating systems.

Android, iOS, and iPadOS are examples of mobile operating systems for smartphones and tablets.

Name three examples of desktop operating systems.

Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux (e.g., Ubuntu) are examples of desktop operating systems.

What is an embedded operating system? Give an example.

An embedded operating system is designed for embedded systems (like appliances or IoT devices) and does not load user-installed software. Examples include Embedded Linux, QNX, VxWorks, RIOT, and TinyOS.

What is a real-time operating system (RTOS)?

A real-time operating system is designed to process data and respond within a guaranteed time constraint, often used in critical systems like medical devices or industrial control.

What is the role of the operating system in managing hardware?

The OS acts as an intermediary between programs and hardware, handling input/output, memory allocation, and scheduling tasks to use the CPU efficiently.

What is time-sharing in an operating system?

Time-sharing is a technique where the OS schedules tasks so that multiple users or applications can share the computer's resources efficiently, giving each a slice of CPU time.

What is virtual memory?

Virtual memory is a technique that uses part of the hard drive as an extension of RAM, giving programs the illusion of more memory than physically available.

What is a utility program? Give an example.

A utility program is a system software that performs maintenance or support tasks, such as disk cleanup, antivirus scanning, or file compression. Examples include Windows Disk Cleanup and antivirus software.

What is the difference between a distributed system and a multicomputer?

A distributed system is a group of distinct, networked computers that may be geographically dispersed, each with its own OS. A multicomputer (or cluster) has multiple CPUs with separate memory, usually in one location, and is common in cloud computing.

What is middleware?

Middleware is an additional software layer between the operating system and applications that helps different applications or systems communicate and share data, often used in distributed systems.

What is a live CD or LiveUSB?

A live CD or LiveUSB is an operating system that can run directly from a CD or USB stick without being installed on the computer's hard drive.

What does OEM-installation mean?

OEM-installation means the operating system comes pre-installed on a computer when it is purchased, such as Windows on many laptops.

Why do operating systems isolate applications from each other?

To protect applications from errors or security vulnerabilities in other applications, ensuring that one program cannot crash or compromise another.

What is the most popular operating system as of November 2025?

Android, with a 38% market share, followed by Microsoft Windows at 33%.

What is a special-purpose operating system?

An operating system designed for a specific function or device, such as embedded systems, real-time systems, or security-focused systems.

What is a multicomputer operating system?

An operating system designed for a multicomputer or cluster, where multiple CPUs each have their own memory and communicate via messages. It often supports remote procedure calls or distributed shared memory.

What is a remote procedure call (RPC)?

A remote procedure call is a technique where a program can call a procedure on another CPU or computer over a network, as if it were a local call.

What is distributed shared memory?

Distributed shared memory is a technique where the operating system uses virtualization to give multiple computers the illusion of a shared memory space, even though it does not physically exist.

What is the smallest type of embedded operating system?

The smallest embedded operating systems are for smart cards, running in less than 10 kilobytes.

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