GCSE Section A Tools, Techniques and Systems

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OPERATING SYSTEMS AND USER INTERFACES

The most important software that a computer uses is the operating system. Without it, the
computer will not function. This is because the operating system controls all the hardware.
Operating systems perform the following tasks:

They assist applications software to communicate with the hardware. For example,
the operating system allows a word processed document to be printed by an
attached printer.

They manage the system resources. For example, the operating system allocates
CPU (Central Processing Unit1) time to the tasks being undertaken.

They manage the transfer of data to and from the systems peripheral devices (e.g.
keyboard, mouse, scanner, and printer).

They manage system security. For example, the operating system can be user by
the computer systems manger to allocate or to restrict a users rights to do certain
things.

They also allow computers to multitask and to have multi-users.

Use a search engine (like Google) and the Internet to find definitions for the following
words:

The Central Processing Unit is the computers brain. It is the part of the computer
that processes the mathematics that make a computer function.
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GCSE Section A Tools, Techniques and Systems

Multitask

<Type your definition here>

Multi-user

<Type your definition here>

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There are many examples of operating systems in use. These include:

Microsoft Windows Vista

Microsoft Windows XP

UNIX

OS/2

Microsoft Windows Vista

Microsoft Windows XP

It is important to remember that applications software will often only run with one particular
operating system, and that as operating systems are replaced, so new versions of
applications software may need to be installed.
For example, a program written to run in Microsoft Windows 98 might not run in Microsoft
Windows Vista. This is because the newer operating system may not support older version
of applications software.
Most operating systems that are in common use have adopted very simple way of
interacting and communicating with the user. This is what are called user interfaces.
A good human-computer or user interface needs to be:

User friendly this should make it possible for the user to use the software without
having to read the entire manual first!

Attractive if it is attractive to use it will encourage users to use the software.

Effective this will enable the operating system do its job efficiently.

Easy to use An easy to use interface will have menu structures that are consistent
in design and layout across several different software packages (e.g. the fast save
option will be in the same place on the toolbar and have the same icon).

There are many examples of user interfaces, including:

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GCSE Section A Tools, Techniques and Systems

GUIs
(Graphical
User
Interfaces, also known as Icons)
the user clicks on the appropriate
GUI/Icon in order to get the
operating system or application to
perform a task.

Toolbars these are usually a

collection of related GUIs/Icons
and/or key driven commands that
are grouped together.

Drop-down menus the user

usually has to click on a word on
the toolbar or use the key driven
command in order to display the
drop-down menu. The menu will
usually consist of a list of
GUIs/Icons and/or key driven
commands from which the user
can select further options.

Pop-up menus the user

usually has to click on a GUI/Icon
or word on the toolbar or use the
key driven command in order to
display the pop-up menu. The
menu will usually consist of a list
of GUIs/Icons and/or key driven
commands from which the user
can select further options..

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GCSE Section A Tools, Techniques and Systems

Command lines the user

has to type in commands in order
to get the operating system to
perform a task.

Key driven the user has to

use the Ctrl (Control) and/or Alt
(Alternate) keys with normal
number or letter keys in order to
get the operating system or
application to perform a task. For
example, pressing the Alt and F
key at the same time will cause
the File drop-down menu to
appear.

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They all have their advantages and disadvantages, and some operating systems may well
use one of more of them.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these types of interface?
Interface

Advantages

Disadvantages

GUIs/Icons

<Type in at least one advantage>

<Type in at least one disadvantage>

Toolbars

<Type in at least one advantage>

<Type in at least one disadvantage>

Drop-down menus

<Type in at least one advantage>

<Type in at least one disadvantage>

Pop-up menus

<Type in at least one advantage>

<Type in at least one disadvantage>

Command lines

<Type in at least one advantage>

<Type in at least one disadvantage>

Key driven

<Type in at least one advantage>

<Type in at least one disadvantage>

The following examples of interfaces that combine different features are from various
Microsoft applications. Please look at each of them carefully before answering the
questions:

Microsoft Word 2003

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GCSE Section A Tools, Techniques and Systems

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Microsoft Excel 2003

Microsoft PowerPoint 2003

Microsoft FrontPage 2003

What interfaces do they have?
Microsoft Word
2003

Microsoft Excel
2003

Microsoft
PowerPoint
2003

Microsoft
FrontPage 2003

GUIs/Icons

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

Toolbars

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

Drop-down menus

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

Pop-up menus

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

Command lines

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

Key driven

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

Do the interfaces have similar layouts, use consistent colour schemes, use similar or the
same GUIs/Icons, are in similar positions on the screen, and have some Help facility?
Microsoft Word
2003

Microsoft Excel
2003

Microsoft
PowerPoint
2003

Microsoft
FrontPage 2003

Similar layout

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

Consistent use of
colour

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

Similar or the same

GUIs/Icons

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

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GCSE Section A Tools, Techniques and Systems

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Similar positions on
the screen

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

Help facility

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

< or x>

If you have completed all the work correctly you should now know the following:

That operating systems assist applications software to communicate with the

hardware.

That operating systems manage the computer systems resources, the transfer of
data to and from the systems peripheral, and the computer systems security.

That operating systems allow computers to multitask and to have multi-users.

That the operating system and applications programs interact with the user through
a user interface.

That there are several different types of user interface, including graphical (i.e.
GUIs/Icons), command line, and key driven interfaces.

That each type of interface has advantages and disadvantages.

You may now print this work off and store it in your user area so that you can use it to
revise from at a later date.
Extension Task:
It is rare for most users to ever have to type in a command line in order to get an operating
system or application program to undertake a task. However, many users do type in
commands when using a particular type of application program. When would they do this?
(Hint: URL)

OPERATING SYSTEMS AND USER INTERFACES - Page 6