This document discusses different types of software, including operating systems, utilities, and applications. It describes operating systems as software that controls how computer hardware works and provides communication between the user and computer. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are the most widely used type of interface today, allowing for easy use through windows, icons, menus, and pointers. Command line interfaces require users to type commands, and were more common in the past. The document also outlines various functions of operating systems and examples of utility and application software.

1. 1.3 SOFTWARE
OPERATING SYSTEM & UTILITIES
IGCSE IT

2. TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Operating
systems
Utilities
Applications

3. OPERATING SYSTEMS (OS)
• Command line interface
• GUI (Graphical user interface)

4. GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI)

5. GUI
• Currently the most widely used type of
interface
• The main advantage of graphical user
interfaces is that they are very easy to use,
especially for a beginner.
• The main disadvantage is the amount of
computer memory they need to run
• A graphical user interface needs a lot of RAM
to run properly and takes up a large amount of
hard disk space. – not really an issue these
days

6. WIMP INTERFACE
• Another word for GUI
• Windows
• Icons
• Menu
• Pointer

7. COMMAND LINE INTERFACE
• Instructions are typed line by line

8. COMMAND LINE INTERFACE
• To use a command line system to communicate
with the computer, the user has to type in
special command words.
• DOS, which stands for Disk Operating System,
is a very commonly used command-driven user
interface.
• Command-driven systems can be very
unfriendly and confusing for non-computer
experts to use.
• The only advantage these days is that the
operate on very little memory

9. IN THE FUTURE?
• Voice activated
• Eye tracking
• Brainwaves?
All of these methods
are being worked on

10. WHAT IS AN OPERATING SYSTEM
• An operating system is a set of programs
that controls how the hardware of a
computer works.
• An operating system provides a means of
communication and control between the
user and the computer

11. INTERFACE HIERARCHY
User
Computer hardware
Application
software
Operating system
software

12. FUNCTIONS OF AN OS
• It deals with input and output
• It manages the transfer of data between the
computer’s memory and backing storage
devices.
• It manages system resources:
• Memory allocation
• Loading application software
• Runtime errors
• System security

13. UTILITY SOFTWARE
• These programs are often bundled with
the OS software
• Utility programs carry out routine tasks:
• Compressing files to save space on backing
storage
• Recovering data from damaged file
• Checking a disk for faults and repairing them
• Checking the files on a disk for computer viruses

14. OTHER UTILITY SOFTWARE
• Other types of utility software can be
installed to do various tasks
• Burn CDs
• Share files
• Edit images
• Hence the overlap with application software

15. APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Productivity software
• Wordprocessing
• Spreadsheet
• Databases
• Graphics
• Presentation
• Personal productivity/Collaboration
• Calendars
• Communications – email etc
• Social Networking