M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

Operating Systems

Computer Technology

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

Development of computers

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

1st Generation computers

Used vacuum tubes. Vacuum tubes are electronic devices that

control the flow of electrons.Had no operating systems.

Used custom application programs, which were made for the specific task that the computer was to perform.

Instructions were necessary for every aspect of the computing job.

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

2nd Generation computers

Used transistors.Transistors performed functions similar to

vacuum tubes, but they were smaller, cheaper, less power-hungry, and more reliable.

Ran programming language compilers.Used English-like commands rather than

binary numbers.Made it possible to develop software.

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

3rd Generation computers

Used integrated circuits. Minicomputers were introduced.

Smaller and less powerful than 1st and 2nd generation computers, but had the ability to run multiple programs for multiple users simultaneously.

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

4th Generation computers

Used general-purpose microprocessors.Computer systems were smaller, faster, and

less expensive than 3rd generation computers.

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

Operating System Software Master controller for all activities that take

place within a computer; Primary purpose is to help the computer

system monitor itself in order to function efficiently.

Interacts with application software, device drivers, and hardware to manage a computer’s resources.

Ensures that input and output proceed in an orderly manner.

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

Platform

Underlying hardware and software of the computer system.

Popular platformsPCMacUnix/Linux

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

Multitasking

Running more than one program at a time. Making sure that the instructions and data

from one area of memory don’t interfere with memory allocated for other programs.

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

A type of user interface that features on-screen objects, such as menus and icons, manipulated by a mouse.

Abbreviation is pronounced “gooey”.

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

Definitions

ProgramSet of detailed, step-by-step instructions that

tell a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task.

Application SoftwareSet of computer programs that help a person

carry out a task.

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

Basic definitions

Drive A location on a network that is set aside for the

collection of data. Folder

The subdirectory or subdivision, of a drive that can contain files or other folders.

File A named collection of data that exists on a storage

medium.

M. Guymon - Pleasant Grove High - Spring 2003

Resources

Parsons, June Jamrich, and Dan Oja. Computer Concepts. Boston: Course Technology - Thompson Learning, 2002.