Cover designed by: Mr.

Medel Valencia

MODULE 8
5
Introduction
to
Computing

CC111
Source: https://www.mariomayhem.com/fun/smb_level_editor/

ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-2025

Prepared by: Ms. Pahutan, Mrs. Guia and Mr. Reyes

Course Instructor
MODULES FOR CC111 – INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

Credits: 3 Units
Pre-Requisite: None

Lesson Title:

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Topics:

System Software Category

• History of Operating Systems
• Types of Operating System
• Example of Operating System

Lesson Objective:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and distinguish between system software and application software, providing
examples of each.
2. Explain the key functions and tasks performed by operating systems, including memory
management, data management, and system security.
3. Outline the historical development of operating systems, from the first generation to
modern-day systems.
4. Categorize various operating systems (e.g., GUI, multi-user, multitasking) and describe
their specific features and examples.
5. Discuss the purpose and functionalities of mobile operating systems, UNIX, Linux, and
Mac OS, highlighting their unique advantages and use cases.
References:

Jerelyn S. Besuena,LPT, Jake R. Pomperada MAED, IT Information Technology and Computer Fundemantals (2023)
Leary, T. and Leary, L. (2011). Computing Essentials 2011
(Introductory ed.). Boston, MA: Course Technology
Parsons, J. and Oja, D.(2014) New perspectives computer e- concepts 2014

Computer Software

Fig 1.1 Different types of Computer Software

The software is the one that drives the hardware (the computer) to do amazing things. Without it,
a computer is just a lifeless box. The software truly brings the computer to life. Basically, the
software enables a computer to perform a specialized task. In other words, the software contains a
set of instructions for a computer to follow willingly, like a servant following his or her master's
commands. Generally, the software is categorized into two. The first one is system software, while
the other is the application software.

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Operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 10 and Linux and utility software such as anti-
virus program and anti-spyware belong to the system software category. While Microsoft Office
2019, database software, graphics software, computer games, multimedia authoring software,
entertainment, and education software, are under the application software category.

System Software Category

The Operating System

The Operating System is a collection of programs that perform a variety of tasks or functions.
The tasks performed by the operating system (OS) involve communicating with the disk drives,
printers, hard disks, CD-ROMs, monitor, modem and other peripheral devices. The operating
system performs also memory management task such as keeping track of how the memory of the
computer is being used so that no job would conflict with another job performed at the other parts
of the memory.

Moreover, the operating system performs data management. It provides a level of system security
that protects a certain type of data or information. It acts like a clerk locating and accessing files
and programs which are requested by the user.

History of Operating Systems

The First Generation (1940's to early 1950's)

When electronic computers were first introduced in the 1940's, they were created without any
operating systems. All programming was done in absolute machine language, often by wiring up
plugboards to control the machine's basic functions. During this generation, computers were
generally used to solve simple math calculations, operating systems were not necessarily needed.

The Second Generation (1955-1965)

The first operating system was introduced in the early 1950s, it was called GMOS and was created
by General Motors for IBM's machine the 701. Operating systems in the 1950s were called single-
stream batch processing systems because the data was submitted in groups. These new machines
were called mainframes, and they were used by professional operators in large computer rooms.
Since there was such a high price tag on these machines, only government agencies or large
corporations were able to afford them.

The Third Generation (1965-1980)

By the late 1960s operating systems designers were able to develop the system of
multiprogramming in which a computer program will be able to perform multiple jobs at the same
time. The introduction of multiprogramming was a major part in the development of operating
systems because it allowed a CPU to be busy nearly 100 percent of the time that it was in operation.
Another major development during the third generation was the phenomenal growth of
minicomputers, starting with the DEC PDP-1 in 1961. The PDP-1 had only 4K of 18-bit words,
but at $120,000 per machine (less than 5 percent of the price of a 7094), it sold like hotcakes.
These microcomputers help create a whole new industry and the development of more PDP's.
These PDP's helped lead to the creation of personal computers which are created in the fourth
generation.

The Fourth Generation (1980-Present Day)

The fourth generation of operating systems saw the creation of personal computing. Although
these computers were very similar to the minicomputers developed in the third generation,
personal computers cost a very small fraction of what minicomputers cost. A personal computer
was so affordable that it made it possible for a single individual could be able to own one for

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personal use while minicomputers where still at such a high price that only corporations could
afford to have them. One of the major factors in the creation of personal computing was the birth
of Microsoft and the Windows operating system. Today, all of our electronic devices run off of
operating systems, from our computers and smartphones to ATM machines and motor vehicles.
And as technology advances, so do operating systems.

Types of Operating Systems

As technology and computers have evolved, so have operating systems. Below is a list of the
different kinds of operating systems and a brief description of each. Along with the description is
an example of each type of OS. Many software programs have multiple operating systems. GUI
(Graphical User Interface) - An operating system which is usually navigated by a mouse which
contains graphics and icons. GUI Operating Systems are much easier for end-users to learn and
use because commands do not need to be known or memorized. GUI operating systems are the
dominant operating system for end-users today. Example: Windows 10

• Multi-User - An operating system that allows for one computer to be used by multiple
users at once or at different times. Example: Linux
• Multiprocessing - An operating system capable of supporting and utilizing more than one
computer processor. Example: Windows 2000
• Multitasking An operating system that can have multiple software processes to run
simultaneously. Example: Unix
• Multithreading - Operating systems that allow different parts of a software program to
run concurrently. Example: Unix, Linux, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2008,
Windows Server 2019.
• Real-Time - An operating system that instantly responds to input from the user.
Example: Abassi, AMOS, DNIX, FlexOS, RSX-11, Windows CE, Simba.

Mobile Operating System

As technology has advanced, so have an operating system, smartphones that many people use
today have what you would call a mobile operating system. These operating systems are
specially designed to run on smartphones, PDA's, tablets and other handheld devices. The
operating system is responsible for determining the functions and features available on your
devices, such as a thumbwheel, keyboards, WAP, synchronization with applications, email,
text messaging and more. A mobile operating system also determines what applications you
are able to run on your handheld device. Some of the most popular mobile operating systems
are the Android OS by Google, the iPhone OS by Apple, Symbian by Nokia and the Blackberry
OS by Research in Motion.

Examples of Operating Systems

Figure 1.2 Screenshot of DOS commands

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 The DOS (Disk Operating System)

In the 1980s and early 1990s, DOS dominated the market as a standard operating system for
personal computers. This operating system is designed with a character-based user interface,
meaning we have to type a command to perform a particular task, like copying, deleting,
transferring, or running a certain program or software. Unlike in the Windows operating
system, we just simply use the mouse to point and click and drag to accomplish the above-
mentioned task.

There are two versions of DOS that reigned as an operating system of choice during that time.
The first one is called IBM PC-DOS and Microsoft MS-DOS. The DOS operating system
suffered a lot of weaknesses or limitations. For example, it supports a limited amount of RAM,
it has no built-in support for networking and supports only 16-bit programs.

Microsoft Windows Operating System

In the early 1990s, Microsoft released Windows 3.0,
3.1 and 3.11 that required MS-DOS to be installed
first completely. It runs on top of DOS to provide GUI
(Graphical User Interface) and additional capabilities.

Figure 1.3 Microsoft Windows Logo and Windows 95 Operating System

In August 1995, the Microsoft released their Windows 95. A total enhancement of the Windows
3.1 and 3.11 which were used by a few computer users in the early 1990s who wanted to a
Graphical User Interface (GUI) type of operating system. This time, the DOS is no longer needed
for its installation, configuration and operation. Microsoft Windows 95 put all data communication
activities in a single screen icon. These activities are e-mail downloads, and Internet access,
Windows 95 supports the "plug-and- play" feature. This concept lets the computer to configure
itself when a new computer peripheral is added, connected, or installed.

Windows 98 is considered just an update to Windows 95. One noticeable change in Windows 98
is the inclusion of the Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser and the Active Desktop that
lets the user browse the Internet and local drive of the PC or Laptop in a similar manner.

Figure 1.4

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The Windows Me (Millennium Edition) offers more enhancements such as digital video editing,
improved multi-media support and capabilities, and enhanced Internet features. The main problem
with Windows Me is that its unstable operation results in frequent crashes.

Figure 1.5 Windows Me

The Windows 2000 Professional combines the user-friendly interface of Windows 98 and the
networking power of Windows NT. Its main feature is support for symmetric multiprocessing
(SMP) with up to two microprocessors (CPUs).

Figure 1.5 Windows 2000

The Windows NT (New Technology) was released in 1993 before Windows 95. It was originally
designed as the successor of DOS, but it turned out to be repositioned as a high-end operating
system for the powerful workstation (Windows NT Workstation) and network servers (Windows
NT Server) used heavily in business operations.

Figure 1.5 Windows NT

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With the release of Windows XP (Home Edition for personal use and Professional Edition for
corporate networks operations) in October 2001, the PC desktop has more three-dimensional (3D)
look, with more shading and rounded corners, and offers brighter color choices. It supports 64-bit
CPU. With its digital media support, the user can take advantage of video and audio rendering for
multimedia projects and digital broadcast support. The Advanced Networking and
Communications feature of Windows XP, the user can now enjoy the more enhanced Plug and
Play support which enables the computer to find and use the hardware connected via a network,
without forcing the user to configure the system or install the required drivers.

Figure 1.6 Windows XP

The Microsoft Windows Vista is a computer operating system. The World Wide Web is easily
accessible from anywhere in Windows Vista. By using Windows Vista, we can access the Support
Online Web site for answers to our common questions. It has tools that can help us to regularly
test our hard disk and check system files. Plus, it can even correct some of the problems found.
Windows Vista is a truly Web integrated. The Internet connection wizard makes the connection to
the Web fast and simple. Using Microsoft Outlook Express, we can send e-mails to our friends or
post messages to the newsgroups on the Internet.

Figure 1.7 Windows Vista

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Windows 7 is a personal computer operating system that was produced by Microsoft part of the
Windows NT as family of operating systems. It was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009,
and became generally available on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its
predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7 was primarily intended to be an incremental upgrade to
Microsoft Windows, intended to address Windows Vista's poor critical reception while
maintaining hardware and software compatibility.

Figure 1.8 Windows 7

Windows 8 was released to manufacturing on August 1, 2012, with general availability on

October 26, 2012. It introduced major changes to the operating system's platform and user interface
to improve its user experience on tablets, where Windows was now competing with mobile
operating systems, including Android and iOS.

Figure 1.9 Windows 8

Windows 10 is the successor to Windows 8.1 and was released to manufacturing on July 15,
2015, and broadly released for retail sale on July 29, 2015. Windows 10 receives new builds on an
ongoing basis, which are available at no additional cost to users. One of Windows 10'smost notable
features is support for universal apps, an expansion of Metro- style apps first introduced in
Windows 8. Universal apps can be designed to run across multiple Microsoft product families with
nearly identical code - including PC's, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One,
Surface Hub and Mixed Reality.

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Figure 1.10 Windows 10

Linux

Figure 2. Linux Command Line

The Linux is a multi-tasking operating system that supports multiple users and multiple
processors. Linux can run on nearly any type of computers (from Desktop, Laptop, Server, and
Supercomputers), and supports almost any type of software applications. The most popular Linux
operating system distributions are from Red Hat Linux and Novell Linux. Most of the Linux
distributions are free. Meaning, you can get it without worrying about licenses or online activation.

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Figure 2.1 Linux Logo Figure 2.2 Linux Logo ubunto server O S

UNIX

The UNIX operating system has been popular for high- powered workstations that are used in
engineering and scientific applications It is also heavily used in mission-critical applications such
as web servers that are used for online transactions, maintaining Internet domain names, large
database servers of banks, manufacturing companies, and pharmaceutical firms.

Figure 2.3 Unix logo

Mac OS

The new Apple Macintosh operating system , popularly known as Mac OS X, is based on the
UNIX operating system code (the BSD (Berkley System Distribution) UNIX). The Mac OS is
heavily favored by graphics artists, multi-media developers, and media publishers. This is due to
its highly powerful graphics features and capabilities. Graphics artists who created cartoon movies
and TV cartoon series, TV, magazine, and newspaper advertisements, are using iMac computers
as their tools for their creative works.

Figure 2.4 Unix logo

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