IC3/Using an Operating System

An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. The operating system is a vital component of the system software in a computer system. Application programs usually require an operating system to function.^[1]

This lesson introduces using an operating system and helps learners prepare for the IC³ Computing Fundamentals certification exam.

Objectives and Skills

Objectives and skills for the using an operating system portion of IC³ certification include:

Objectives^[2]

Identify what an operating system is and how it works, and solve common problems related to operating systems
Use an operating system to manipulate a computer’s desktop, files and disks
Identify how to change system settings, install and remove software

Skills^[3]

What is an OS and what does it do? Difference between applications and OS, common OS features, software/hardware relationship, updates, software
Manage computer files and folders: Directory and folder hierarchy and structure, file/folder management, common file extensions and default behavior
Manage computer configuration, Control Panel, OS drivers: Basic Desktop Customization, power states, power options, power down, hibernating, user accounts and rights
Troubleshooting: Backup/Restore: Offsite, external, cloud, versioning of backups, drivers

Readings

Multimedia

Activities

Complete the tutorial [1].
Complete the tutorial Getting to Know Your Computer's OS.
Complete one or more of the following tutorials:
- Using a PC (Windows 7)
- Using a Mac (OS X)
Complete one or more of the following tutorials:
Review Using Windows Explorer. Use Windows Explorer to manage files and folders.
Review Working with Control Panel. Use Windows Control Panel applets to manage computer configuration.
Review Power management. Use Power Options to configure Windows power settings.
Review Lesson 1: Managing User Accounts. Create and manage user accounts on your computer.
Complete the tutorial Backing Up Your Files. Create a full system backup of your computer.
Complete the tutorial Bringing Your Files With You.

Lesson Summary

An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs.^[4]
The operating system is a component of the system software in a computer system.^[5]
The operating system acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware.^[6]
Application programs usually require an operating system to function.^[7]
Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.^[8]
The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system.^[9]
The operating system provides a user interface and allows communication between the user and the machine.^[10]

Key Terms

character-based interface: A user interface based on characters rather than graphics.^[11]
command-line interface: A means of interacting with a computer program where the user (or client) issues commands to the program in the form of successive lines of text (command lines).^[12]
Chrome OS: An operating system designed by Google that is based on the Linux kernel and uses the Google Chrome web browser as its principal user interface.^[13]
custom application: An application programmed for a specific purpose, typically for a specific client.^[14]
file manager: A computer program that provides a user interface to manage files and folders.^[15]
force quit: A command that is used in several popular operating systems to send signals to running processes in order to request the termination of the process.^[16]
file format: A standard way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file.^[17]
Java: A set of computer software and specifications developed by Sun Microsystems, which was later acquired by the Oracle Corporation, that provides a system for developing application software and deploying it in a cross-platform computing environment.^[18]
Linux: A computer operating system (OS) assembled under the model of free and open-source software development and distribution.^[19]
macOS: A series of graphical user interface–based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems.^[20]
Microsoft Windows: A metafamily of graphical operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft.^[21]
open-source software (OSS): Computer software with its source code made available with a license in which the copyright holder provides the rights to study, change, and distribute the software to anyone and for any purpose.^[22]
operating system (OS): System software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs.^[23]
platform: The combination of hardware and operating system software upon which application software is built.^[24]
root directory: In a computer file system, it is the first or top-most directory in a hierarchy.^[25]
safe mode: Intended to help fix most, if not all problems within an operating system. It is also widely used for removing rogue security software.^[26]
shell: A user interface for access to an operating system's services.^[27]
system software: Computer software designed to provide services to other software. Examples of system software include operating systems, computational science software, game engines, industrial automation, and software.^[28]
taskbar: An element of a graphical user interface which has various purposes. It typically shows which programs or applications are running on the device, as well as provide links or shortcuts to other programs or places, such as a start menu, notification area, and clock.^[29]
UNIX: A family of multitasking, multiuser computer operating systems that derive from the original AT&T Unix, developed in the 1970s at the Bell Labs research center by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others.^[30]
upgrade: A replacement of hardware, software or firmware with a newer or better version, in order to bring the system up to date or to improve its characteristics.^[31]
virtual memory: A memory management technique that is implemented using both hardware and software that maps virtual memory addresses used by a program into physical addresses in computer memory.^[32]

Assessments

References

← Computer Software

IC3

Common Program Functions →

[1] Wikipedia: Operating system

[2] IC³ GS4 Computing Fundamentals

[3] IC³ GS4 Computing Fundamentals Skills Measured

[4] Wikipedia: Operating system

[5] Wikipedia: Operating system

[6] Wikipedia: Operating system

[7] Wikipedia: Operating system

[8] Wikipedia: Operating system

[9] Wikipedia: Operating system

[10] Wikipedia: Operating system

[11] Pearson: Digital Planet: Tomorrow's Technology and You. Glossary

[12] Wikipedia: Command-line Interface

[13] Wikipedia:Chrome OS

[14] Pearson: Digital Planet: Tomorrow's Technology and You. Glossary

[15] Wikipedia: File Manager

[16] Wikipedia: Kill (command)

[17] Wikipedia: File format

[18] Wikipedia: Java (software platform)

[19] Wikipedia: Linux

[20] Wikipedia: macOS

[21] Wikipedia: Microsoft Windows

[22] Wikipedia: Open-source software (OSS)

[23] Wikipedia: Operating system

[24] Pearson: Digital Planet: Tomorrow's Technology and You. Glossary

[25] Wikipedia: Root directory

[26] Wikipedia: Safe mode

[27] Wikipedia: Shell (computing)

[28] Wikipedia: System software

[29] Wikipedia: Taskbar

[30] Wikipedia: Unix

[31] Wikipedia: Upgrade

[32] Wikipedia: Virtual memory

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