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Software, Data and introduction to Operating System


A computer cannot perform any task with the hardware only. A set of instructions is required to direct the computer on what needs to be done. The set of instruction is called a program and a set of interlinked programs is software.
Software can be broadly classified as system software and application software. Software that provides basic functions of the the computer is called system software. Software, which is employed by users,scuh as teachers and students, to accomplish specific tasks, is called application software. Paint is an of application software. You use an application or progam to create, modiy, or delete data stored on youtr computer.
OS- an operating system is the software that manages and controls the working of computer. The moment you turn on the computer, it checks that all of  the computer’s internal devices, such as RAM, ROM and peripheral devices, such as printer and montor, are functioning properly. After these checks are successful, the operating system loads. Some examples of operating system are UNIX, which is used in corporate and university setting, Mac and Windows. Operating system undergo improvement and have different versions. There  are different versions of the Windows Operating System ----Windown 95, Windown 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windown xp.
You interact or communicate with a computer through the user interace provided by the operating system. The user interface can be text-based or graphical. Text-based operating system, such as the old MS DOS ,are less intuitive, because they depend on text commands made up ofvarious words and symbols, which the user has to memorise. Windiws xp, on the other hand, is a good of a graphical operating system. It provides graphical user interface that user visual components rather then text to help you interact with an application. It provides menus and toolbar contain commands to perform specific tasks. These commsnds are presented in everyday language or as pictures. All you need to do is click a command from the menu toolbar, and Windows will do the rest. This user-friendly interface allows even users with limited skills access to the many benefits of computers.
An operating system performs the following functions :
1.The operating system receives inputs in the form of commands and clicks, and translates it into a form that the computer can understand and process. Similarly, the processed results are conerted into a form that the user can understand. Thus, theoperating system acts as an intermediary  between the user and the computer hardware.
2. handling data transfer to and from devices, such as hard disks and printer.
3. Managing the storage space.
4. ensuring that the system resources are utilized by authorized users only.
   

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