Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Using System Software: The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Management
After reading this chapter, you should be able to answer the following questions:
- What software is included in system software? (p. 208)
- What are the different kinds of operating systems? (p. 208)
- What are the most common desktop operating systems? (p. 211)
- How does the operating system provide a means for users to interact with the computer? (p. 213)
- How does the operating system help manage the processor? (p. 216)
- How does the operating system manage memory and storage? (p. 220)
- How does the operating system manage hardware and peripheral devices? (p. 221)
- How does the operating system interact with application software? (p. 221)
- How does the operating system help the computer start up? (p. 222)
- What are the main desktop and window features? (p. 226)
- How does the operating system help me keep my computer organized? (p. 228)
- What utility programs are included in system software, and what do they do? (p. 235)
Discussion Questions
Chapter 5
- Open-source programming embraces a philosophy that states programmers should make their code available to everyone rather than keeping it proprietary. The Linux operating system has had much success as an open-source code. The chapter mentions some of the advantages of open-source code, such as quicker code updates in response to technological advances and changes.
- What are other advantages of open-source code?
- Can you think of disadvantages to open-source code?
- Why do you think that companies such as Microsoft maintain proprietary restrictions on their code?
- Are there disadvantages to maintaining proprietary code?
- Operating system interfaces have evolved from a text-based console format to the current graphical user interface. What direction do you think they will move toward next? How could operating systems be organized and used in a manner that is more responsive to humans and better suited to how we think? Are there alternatives to hierarchical file structures for storage? Can you think of ways in which operating systems could adapt and customize themselves based on your usage?