Systems Software.

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Systems Software is the essential program used to control the hardware of the computer directly. Systems software is the link between the application software, such as a word processing program and the hardware, such as the keyboard and the monitor. The purpose of the software is to control the inputs, the outputs, the interrupts, and the storage. It works away in the background usually without the user being aware of it.

The operating system performs a number of functions:

• The efficient management of the computer's resources, i.e. memory, files, input/output devices.
• These tasks include: scheduling jobs into time slots to maximise the efficiency; selecting and operating peripheral devices using device drivers, which are small programs that operate the printer etc.
• Dealing with errors and keeping the system running; maintaining the system security (logging on and passwords); loading files in and out of memory for the running of applications.

• The multi-tasking of more than one job at a time i.e. having a number of windows open at once.
• The user only has to learn how to use the application not how the computer works.
• The tests done when the computer is first switched on (booted up), including peripheral checks.
• Checking the memory to see it is functioning correctly.

Systems Software is primarily the operating system but other programs are included in this type:

• Operating System
• Utility programs
• File management programs
• Virus detection programs

Operating Systems are presented in a style known as a Graphical User Interface (GUI). This style is a visual representation using pictures, icons, menus, and commands that are selected by using a pointing and clicking device (mouse). This is a more friendly way of using a computer because the operator doesn't need to know any computer language to communicate with the computer. In the past the computer operator had to type in commands in a form of computer language which was difficult to remember. The most popular operating system is called Windows by Microsoft and is regularly upgraded.

Examples of Operating Systems:

• Windows 3.1
• Windows 95
• Windows 98
• Windows NT
• Windows 2000
• Windows XP
• UNIX
• Linux
• Mac OS

Settings:

The settings of the Operating System may be set to the users preferences. This is done by opening the Control Panel and adjusting the settings manually. Examples below are shown from Windows XP.

Start with the Time settings: Click on the Date and Time icon. Set the correct date and time, click OK. Set the correct Time Zone, click OK.

The display settings can be configured for DeskTop, Screen Saver, Appearance, Settings.

Desktop: Choose a Windows style or import a picture from your own files by Browsing for your selected image.

Screen Saver: Choose a style, and a wait time (computer idle) for it to show. The example shows a Marquee, where a message is seen scrolling across the screen.

Appearance: Windows XP (modern style) is chosen on a green framework, font sizes are adjustable.

Settings: Screen resolution is shown 1024 x 768, resolution is adjustable, a lower resolution shows larger icons but less screen area. Colour settings are also made here.

Folder options are available, these include the appearance of folders. Select wherethefolders open, either in the previous folder or in their own window. Select whether to use Internet style single click, or a double click to open and single click to select.