Operating systems include the following programs and packages ... (list)

It's no secret that operating system management is carried out using programs and applications that have a specific practical focus and have their own functionality. After all, a clean shell can not serve the user to solve his everyday tasks, for which, in fact, a personal computer is needed. So now we have to figure out what the operating system is, what kinds it is, what programs are needed to work with it.

What is the operating system?

The operating system is a set of interrelated programs, through which the computer is controlled and the user interacts with the electronic computer. In fact, the place of OS in the overall architecture of a personal computer (actually, as in smartphones, gadgets and other modern devices) is located between devices (to which the processor, RAM, video card and the like) and applications. In modern computers, it consists of so-called packets, each of which is responsible for interaction with a particular device and performs a particular function.

Many confuse software packages of the operating system and application packages. Processing of graphic files, creation and formatting of text information, recording and processing of sound files, information exchange at a distance between users, programming and much more ... All this can not be done using a clean operating system. For full-fledged work, you need certain applications and applications. But the packages of the operating system allow only to operate the graphic interface of the computer, provide communication devices and other programs. But all the same, the operating system itself is an ordered set of interrelated programs that provide information processing, and, as a consequence, the user's work with the personal computer.

What are the operating systems?

Currently, despite the abundance of firms specializing in the creation of software, system and application programs, the development of operating systems deals with a limited number of companies. In general, the whole market is occupied by two giants of the IT sphere: Microsoft and Apple. Operating systems include Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS. Previously, there were other projects (and even Soviet ones), but for one reason or another they ceased to exist.

The overwhelming advantage is on the side of Bill Gates: the Microsoft Windows operating system provides operation of more than 90% of personal computers worldwide. This is largely due to the relatively free distribution of the shell (it can be used by computer manufacturers, however, only with a licensed version). The operating system Windows 10 is the latest version from Microsoft. The rest of the market falls on the Mac OS, which extends only to Apple products, due to which it loses to its main competitor.

What does not apply to operating systems?

Complete sets of programs that provide user interaction with the computer, in no case can not be considered a shell and environment for software development. For example, LPT, SDK and a number of others.

Many believe that Linux is not a Linux operating system because it is a freely developed shell. True or not, it's hard to say. It all depends on which side to approach this issue. If we talk about Linux as a basis for mobile operating systems like Android, Bada or BlackBerry, then it's impossible to talk about it as an independent software package. If we combine many developed on this basis independent systems under the word Linux, then it will be logical to consider it an operating system.

There are still a number of controversial questions about the belonging of a particular package of programs to the category we are considering. First of all it concerns DOS - disk operating system. Referring to the fact that the title contains these cherished two words, many consider this shell an independent OS. But this is a delusion. DOS - an interface that allows you to install Windows, no more. Therefore, it does not apply to operating systems.

What is software?

The software is a specific program or package of programs with the help of which a certain function is performed, for which the operating system is designed. This category is basic, because without it there is no point in using a personal computer. Software can be of two types: system and application. To give a description and find the differences between them we will be using the example of the most popular operating system - Microsoft Windows.

System software

Considering the management of Windows itself, it is necessary to talk about system software, since it is the operating system that makes it. This category is the most important, because such software is used for human-computer interaction, that is, it works with Windows. The set of such programs depends on what specifications the personal computer has, and what components are under the case cover. System software is divided into two types: basic and service or service.

The basic software ensures the operation of the computer in principle. This category includes the operating system as such (that is, as a set of programs needed to start the machine) and the operating shell (it allows you to display the system interface). Service programs serve to work directly with the system in full-fledged mode. In this regard, the operating systems include the following programs:

1. Video card drivers. This is a package of programs that are necessary to ensure that the video card that is in the computer implements the transfer of the image of the system's controlled processes to the screen. The main manufacturers of video cards are Nvidia and AMD, which, respectively, are engaged in the development of drivers for their products.

2. Sound card drivers. Such programs are necessary for the output of sounds produced during operation of the operating system. Perhaps, the only major supplier of such cards, and accordingly, software to them is Realtek.

3. Network utilities. As you can see from the title, they are necessary for the operation of the operating system with the networks to which the computer is connected. Network programs are usually built-in by the developer and serve to connect, configure and work with networks. Provides network access in Windows utility Microsoft Net.

4. Software installation and uninstallation program. Such a tool serves mainly for managing applications. With it, you can delete, modify, and install programs and updates for your computer.

5. Security programs. This category, perhaps, is the most extensive among all service system software. It is explained by the following. First, there are many different programs to protect user information from viruses and theft. These include a firewall (protection against network attacks and from the penetration of viruses through networks) and data encryption programs (encoding information for its further storage and protection).

6. Programs for diagnosing the operation of the processor and the operating system. To monitor the status of the operating system's memory, the frequency and performance of the processor, the availability of such programs is simply necessary.

Application programs

At the beginning of our discussion, we touched a little on the functions for which the application software is intended. But this was by no means an exhaustive list, which, perhaps, is impossible to compile. Such programs are created for a variety of purposes: from working with databases to entertainment. We will only consider the most necessary for daily work.

Working with text information

Entering, deleting, changing, formatting, transferring, encrypting, saving is not a complete list of operations that a user can perform with this kind of programs. The most popular, convenient and familiar whole set of programs for working with textual information is the Microsoft Office suite. For a long time, it was necessary to purchase this package separately from the computer itself. However, now the programs that are applied directly to operating systems include Word (classic text editor), Excel (working with spreadsheets), PowerPoint (text and multimedia files in presentations) and OneNote (text editor in the form of notes). In addition, among the standard programs of all versions of Windows are "Notepad" and WordPad (simplified Word).

Working with multimedia information

Graphic files, audio and video, other multimedia files are created, edited and processed using additional software. Unlike the previous category, the leader among developers of such programs is not Microsoft, but Adobe. Packages that have a common name Creative Suite, contain a fairly wide range of software products for working with multimedia. Among them, of course, is Photoshop, which is the most popular graphics editor. In addition, Adobe offers us Illustrator (vector graphics editor), After Effects (video editor), Acrobat (electronic documents in .pdf format), Audition (audio editor). Not included in the package, but also distributed by Adobe to play web applications Flash Player.

As for individual programs of this type, there is a great variety of different products that allow you to work with multimedia files. For example, built-in Windows graphics editor Paint and a multimedia player or a freely distributable audio player AIMP.

Networking

It is unlikely that in our time few people do not know about the Internet or did not use it once in a lifetime. But to access it, it's not enough just to have a network card, network utilities and connectivity. Starting work on the network in the vast majority of cases is through an Internet browser, of which there are countless. The operating system Windows 10 as the default browser offers Microsoft Edge, and its predecessor in earlier versions was Internet Explorer. But they use it not because of the most convenient interface and weak stability of work is not very eager. Most Internet users prefer to use "Yandex.Browser", Opera, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Here already, as they say, the taste and color.

In addition, cloud storage is now popular with the help of which people can access their files from different places and from different devices. The standard Microsoft service is OneDrive, which is built into Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. However, there are other services, for example, Dropbox, "Yandex.Disk" and Google Drive.

Protection against viruses

A simple firewall and data encryption system is not enough to protect your information from the attack of intruders. Viruses that penetrate the operating system through various sources (the Internet, infected flash cards) can not only steal your data, but also disable the entire computer. The benefit of antiviruses in our time is enough. Companies that develop security programs for operating systems include Norton, Kaspersky, Dr.Web, Avast, Avira, and dozens of others. The standard Windows defender, of course, protects the system quite well, but third-party antivirus programs still have much more functionality.

Apps in Design Language

In operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, which are developed in a new style, called Design Language, a new category of software - the application. Work with them is carried out in a different graphic (tiled) interface, although in the "top ten" the user had the opportunity to combine ordinary programs and new ones. Applications can also be application or system. The latter, unfortunately, are not yet fully worked out by specialists from Microsoft. For example, if you compare the "Toolbar" and the "Options" application, you can see some differences in favor of the old settings panel, where the functions are still greater. But, nevertheless, we can safely say that applications now also relate to operating systems.

Bridging the line under reasoning

The operation of operating systems depends on the availability of programs and packages that are necessary for the full operation of the personal computer. Packages of system applications allow him to interact with the user, perform simple operations, receive and display information on the screen using the operating shell. In order for the operating system to work, it is necessary to have a package of programs that are interrelated processes that ensure the operation and management of it. But in order to perform more complex actions, work with information, you need to use application programs. There are quite a lot of them, that's why each user can find the program or package that will allow him to carry out the planned actions.

The operating system Microsoft Windows is constantly being improved and updated, so there are more and more ways to work with information. Universal applications written in the style of Design Language and running on both desktops and mobile devices are beginning to be used no less than the usual programs, and in the long run they will replace the previous software. And this is quite logical, because the world is gradually moving from stationary computers and laptops to smartphones and tablets. We just have not to get confused in this complex world of modern information technology.