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UNIT-II

Describe the data representation in detail?

The computer is an electronic device. It accepts any type of data (numbers, text, special
characters, pictures and sound). But internally they are represented as binary digits (0’s & 1’s).
Bit: The term ‘Bit’ is a binary digit. A bit is the smallest data that a computer can recognize and
use. All the data inside a computer is stored in the form of these bits.
Byte: A Byte is a group of 8 bits. In a microcomputer one character is represented by one byte.
With 1 Byte, the computer represents one of 256 different symbols or characters because eight
1’s & 0’s in a byte can be combined in 256 different ways.
Text codes: Computer does not communicate in English, Telugu, and Hindi etc. as we do. They
have their own languages, which are better suited for electronic communications. So,
Programmers uses standard text codes to represent alphabets, digits and other symbols. The most
popular text codes are EBCDIC, ASCII and UNICODE system. This standard code system
would enable any programmer or program to use the same combination of numbers to represent
the same individual pieces of data.
EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code):
EBCDIC stands for “Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code”. The
EBCDIC is an 8-bit code that defines 256(0-255) symbols. EBCDIC is used in IBM Mainframe
and mid range computer but it is rarely used in PC.
ASCII: ASCII stands for “American Standard Code for Information Interchange”. Today,
all computers commonly use ASCII codes. They support 0 - 255 character set. It is for 8-bit code.
UNI-CODE: The Unicode worldwide character standard provides 2 bytes (16 bits) to represent
each letter, number or symbol. This can be created to represent more than 65,536 different
characters or symbols. This code extends outside the standard ASCII character set. It is used in
many software publications.
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DATA PROCESSING
The work is normally done by a computer is called data processing. Note that there are
two words data and processing. Data or entities, that relates to a person, task or event. Processing
means performing systematic operations upon the data to make them more useful, such
manipulations that a computer can perform on the data including calculations, comparisons,
reading and writing. Calculations refer to the execution of arithmetic operations such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division. Reading is the process of accepting the data from an
external medium and writing is the reverse process of reading. The result of calculation can be
written by the computer on to some medium, such as sheets of papers.
The operations maintained above are only elementary operations. By combining such
elementary operations, it is possible for the computer to perform processing that is complicated in
a nature. How ever the primary objective of data processing is to take the help of computer to
process some given data in a desired manner. Thus, a computer can be called data processing
UNIT-II Page 2 of 15
equipment, which accepts some data as its input and produce some processed data as its output.
The processed data is often called “Information”.

CONNECTING COMPUTER TO OTHER DEVICES


When we need to add a new piece of hardware to our computer, we need to know how to
connect it to the System bus. In some cases, we can plug the device into an existing socket or port
at the backside of the computer. Most computers have several types of ports, each with different
capabilities.
Parallel Ports:
A PC’s internal components communicate through the data bus, which consists of parallel
wires. A parallel interface is a connection of 8 or more wires through which data bits can flow
simultaneously. Most computer buses transfers 32 bits simultaneously. However, the standard
parallel interface for external devices like printers usually transfers 8 bits at a time over eight
separate wires.
Serial Ports:
With a serial interface, data bits are transmitted one at a time through a single wire. Inside
the computer, a chip called a “Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART)”
converts parallel data from the bus into serial data that flows through a serial cable.
A parallel interface can handle higher volume of data than serial interface because more
than one bit can be transmitted in a parallel interface simultaneously.
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI):
It is a special port, which links many devices with single SCSI port. It takes a different
approach from standard, parallel or serial ports. It is an extension card for the data bus. It extends
bus outside the computer by way of a cable.
For plugging one extension card into the other to lengthen a circuit, we plug one SCSI
device into another to form a chain. When devices are connected in this way and plugged into a
single port, they are called a “Daisy Chain”.
High performance, business classes PCs features a built-in SCSI port. However, most
home computers do not include SCSI adapter.
USB (Universal Serial Bus):
It is quickly developed for PCs both IBM compatible Macintosh systems. The USB
Standard allows 127 devices to be connected to the bus via a single port. Today, most new
computers feature at least one or two USB ports.
IEEE 1394(Fire wire)
IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. It is also called as “Fire
Wire”. It extends the computer’s bus to many peripheral devices through a single port. Through
IEEE1394 complaint technology is so expensive and gains wide acceptance as a standard for
plugging video and other high-data- throughput devices to the system bus, it is not expected to
become the dominant bus technology.
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI):
It is used to plug a side variety of musical instruments and other MIDI controlled devices
into the computer. Many sound cards have MIDI and feature a special MIDI port. MIDI systems
UNIT-II Page 3 of 15
are widely used in recording and performing music to control the settings of electronic
synthesizers, drum machines, light systems, amplification and more
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WHAT ARE EXPANSION SLOTS AND BOARDS?
EXPANSION SLOTS AND BOARDS
PC motherboards have two or more expansions, which are extensions of the computer’s
bus that provide a way to add new components to the computer. The slot accepts expansion
boards are also called cards, adapters or some times just boards. The board is attached to the
motherboard the main system board to which CPU, memory and other components are attached.
The expansion slots on the motherboard are used for three purposes:
1. To give built-in-devices such as hard disk and disk drives access to the computer’s bus via
controller cards.
2. To provide I/O port at the backside of the computer for external devices such as monitor,
external modems, printers and game controllers.
3. To give special purpose devices access to the computer. For example, a computer can be
enhanced with an accelerator card, a self contained device that enhances processing speed
through access to the computer’s CPU and memory by away of the bus.
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MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICES
(OR)
SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES
(OR)
AUXILIARY STORAGE DEVICES
Magnetic or secondary storage devices are used to store the data permanently. A magnetic
disk is a thin, circular metal plate coated on both sides with magnetic material.
By using the secondary storage devices, the user can read and write from disk. Writing
data means recording data on the surface of a disk, where it is stored for later use. Reading data
means retrieving the data from the disk’s surface and transfer it into the computer’s memory for
use by the operating system or application program. Magnetic disk is the popular storage medium
to store data and access directly. Magnetic disks are classified into different types like floppy
disks, hard disks etc.,
How data is organized on a magnetic disk:
The magnetic disks are organized into number of tracks. Each track is divided into a
number of sectors. The information to be stored in retrieved from the disk on the basis of tracks
and sector address. A unique number can identify each sector. This number can be useful to
identify the data by the operating systems. The tracks and sectors are longer than innermost track,
but each track is still divided into the same number of sectors. Regardless of physical size i.e.
shorter innermost sector holds the same amount of data as larger most sector does. The size of the
sector is 512 Bytes or ½ KB
Tracks

Sectors
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How the operating system finds the data on the disk:

The disk is organized into four logical formats. They are

1. Data Area
2. MBR
3. FAT
4. Root Directory or Root folder

With the help of these four formats the operating system identifies the data

MBR

FAT

Root Directory

Data Area

MBR (Master Boot Record):


It is a program that runs when we first start the computer. This program determines
whether the disk has the basic components that are necessary to run the operating system.
FAT (Fill Allocation Table):
It is a log that records the location of each file and the status of each sector. When we
write a file into a disk, the operating system checks the FAT for open area, stores the file and it
identifies the file and its location in the FAT.
Root Directory:
The top folder on any disk is known as root directory. The root folder contains any other
directories or files.
Data Area:
The part of the disk that remains free after the boot sector, FAT and root folder have been
created is called data area.
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UNIT-II Page 5 of 15
DISKETTES (FLOPPY DISKS)
Floppy is one of the magnetic storage devices for micro and mini computers. It is coated
with magnetic metal and looks like a phonograph record. The information can be recorded (or)
read by inserting it into a drive. It is kept in an envelope of jacket to protect from dust & wetness.
Floppy disks are introduced by IBM(International Business Machines) in 1972. It is made up of
flexible plastic, which is coated with magnetic oxide. The magnetic disk is enclosed with a plastic
envelope. The read and write head of a floppy disk is made direct contact with the disk surface
during the process of reading or writing.
Types of Diskettes
Floppy disks are available in 2 sizes. They are 5.25 inch and 3.5 inch. 3.5-inch floppies are
more popular than 5.25in floppies.
Diskettes Capacity
5.25 inch and 3.5 inch diskettes have evolved from lower to higher density. The density of
disk is the measure of the capacity of the disk’s surface. Earlier versions of diskette’s were
double density(DD). As diskette media improved storage capacity increased, the double density
have been almost completely replaced by high density(HD) floppies. The storage capacity of high
density diskette is 1.44 MD. Extra high density(ED) diskette’s storage capacity is 2.88 MB

Slide
Shutter

Diskette hub
Drive hole
Index hole

- - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -
-- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - -
- - -- - - - - - - -- - - - -

Write Protected Hole

High Capacity Hole


Sliding Hole Cover

HARD DISK
It is used to store high volume of data than floppy disk. A magnetic disk is a circular metal
plate coated on both sides with magnetic material. A set of such magnetic plates is fixed to a
spindle one below the other to make up a disk pack. The disk pack is sealed and mounted on a
disk drum. Such a disk drum is known as Hard Disk (Winchester Disk Drive). The disk drive
consists of a motor to rotate the disk pack at a speed of 5400 RPM (Resolutions Per Minute).
UNIT-II Page 6 of 15

Disk
Tracks

Sectors

In the above figure, each metal circular plate is divided into a number of centered circles called
tracks and each track is divided into a number of small sections called sectors. The information
to be stored is retrieved from the disk on the basis of tracks and sector address.
It is faster in reading and writing the information and has a large storage capacity than a
floppy disk. Storage capacities of hard disks are measured in MB or GB.
-------

Distinguish between magnetic tape and magnetic disk?


Magnetic Tape Magnetic Disk
1. Magnetic tapes can be used only 1. Magnetic disk can be used for only
for sequential access storage data direct access storage devices
2. Data transfer rate for a magnetic 2. Data transfer rate for a magnetic disk
tape system is low system is high
3. Searching data is very slow 3. Searching data very fast
4. It is easier to maintain the 4. It is complex to maintain the security
security of information stored on of information stored on the disks.
a tape
5. Magnetic tapes are cheaper 5. Magnetic Disks are expensive.
6. Magnetic tapes are less damaged 6. Magnetic disk are damaged because
from dust or careless handling of dust or careless

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UNIT-II Page 7 of 15
What is the difference between main memory (primary or internal) and secondary memory
(auxiliary or external)
Primary Memory Secondary Memory
1. The storage is temporary 1. The storage is permanent
2. It is a volatile memory i.e., the 2. It is non-volatile memory i.e., the
information stored in it is lost, information stored in it does not
when the power is switched off. get erased when the power is
3. Storage capacity is limited switched off.
4. It is a part of CPU 3. Storage capacity can be enlarged
4. It is a peripheral (device).
--------
OPTICAL STORAGE DEVICES
Today, the most popular alternatives magnetic storage devices are optical storage devices.
The most widely used type of optical storage medium is the “Compact Disk (CD)”, which is
used CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-Recordable, CD-Rewrite (RW) and photo CD systems.
1. CD-ROM (Compact disk Read Only Memory)
The latest technology for higher capacity secondary storage device is known as laser disk
technology. These are recorded by supplier and cannot be erased and filled with new data. To
read a CD, we need a CD-ROM drive. We can store around 640 MB to 700 MB of data.
CD-ROM Speed:
The data reading time is slower when compared to disks, because the laser reads data one
bit at a time. The laser reads data time 10,000 KB per sec. where as hard disk reads data at the
rate of 5 MB to 15 MB per sec.
Finally the Compact Disks are used to store audio and video data and large amount of
textual data.
2. DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory):
It is high-density medium capable of storing a full-length movie on a single disk as the
size of CD. It achieves such high storage capacity by using both sides of the disk and special Data
Compression technologies and it is extremely used small tracks for storing data. The latest
generation of DVD-ROM disks actually uses layers of data tracks. The device’s laser beam can
read data from the first layer and then look through it to read data from the second layer. DVD-
ROM can play ordinary CD-ROM disks. The DVD-ROM can contain 2GB TO 13 GB.
3. CD-R(Compact Disk-Recordable)
The CDR drive allows us to create our own CD-ROM disks(audio, video, data) that can be
read by any CD-ROM drive. After information has been written to part of the CD, that
information con not be changed. Most CD-R drives, however we can continue to record
information to other parts of the disk until it is full.
5.CD-Rewritable (CD-RW):
Using the CD-RW drive, the user can read and write and rewrite on to CD’s with a CD-
RW drive, user can stores large amount of data in the disk and can access the data in the same
manner as floppy disk.
Finally the data can be written on to the CD-RW with the help of CD-RW drives.
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UNIT-II Page 8 of 15
USER INTERFACE
User interface is on screen element that enables the user to interact with software there are
two types of interfaces. They are
1. Character User Interface or Command Line Interface (CUI)
2. Graphical User Interface (GUI)
1. Character User Interface(CUI):
Character user interface is a user interface that enables the user to interact with the
software by typing string of characters as a command at the prompt. Ms-Dos is any example of
C.U.I for example if we want to see a list of files in a directory; we type DIR command as a
string, which executes(displays) list of files in a particular directory.
2.Graphical User Interface (GUI):
Graphical user interface is a user interface that enables the user to interact with the
software by selecting options (commands) using mouse. Most current operating systems,
including all versions of windows operating system, some versions of UNIX provide a GUI.
Features of GUI are given bellow: -
a) Desktop
b) Icons
c) Taskbar
d) Start Button
e) Programs running in windows
f) Menus
g) Dialogue Boxes
a) Desktop:
Desktop is a graphical workspace in a computer operating system, in which all are the
computers available resources can be easily accessing by the user. In such systems, the desktop is
a colored background on which the user can see small pictures called icons. The user accesses
various resources by choosing icons on the desktop.
b) Icons:
The icons are graphical screen elements that execute one or more commands, when chosen
with a mouse or other pointing devices.
c) Task Bar:
The taskbar is also the graphical screen element displayed on the desktop at the bottom of
the windows, which includes the start button & lists the programs that are currently running on
the computer.
d) Start Button:
The start button is permanent feature of the task bar. We can click it to open the start menu
from the start menu, we can click program icon to start a program or choose shutdown, and we
are ready to turn of the computer.
e) Program running in window:
In a graphical operating system we can start a program by choosing icon on the desktop or
choosing program name from the start menu.
UNIT-II Page 9 of 15

f) Menus
A menu contains a list of commands or functions displayed on the screen for selecting by
the user.

g) Dialog Boxes:
Dialog box is a special purpose window that appears when the user issues certain
commands in program or graphical operating system. A dialogue box get its name from the
dialog, it conducts with the user as the program asks the information is needed to perform a task.
-------------

OPERATING SYSTEM
Operating system is a set of programs that acts as interface between user and computer.
The purpose of an operating system is to provide an environment in which the programmer can
execute programs in a convenient and efficient manner. As the operating system important part
almost every computer system like a manager of a company.
Functions of an operating System
Many operating systems perform the following functions.
1. Processor Management (C.P.U Scheduling):
Assignment of processors for different tasks can be performed by the computer system.
2. Memory Management
Allocation of main memory and other storage areas to the systems programs as well as user
programs and data.
3. I/O Management
The co-ordination and assignment of the different input and output devices while one or more
programs are being executed.
4. File Management
The storage of files on various storage devices and transfers these files from one storage area to
another. Operating systems also allows all files to be easily changed and modified.
5. Job Scheduling
It determines and maintains the order in which job are to be executed in the computer system.
6. Automatic Transaction from job to job as directed by special control statements
7. Interpretation of various command and instructions
8. Co-ordination and assignment of compilers, assemblers utility programs and other software to
the various uses of the computer system.
9. Establishment of data security and integrity
10. Maintenance of internal time clock and log off system usage for all users.
11. Facilitates easy communication between the computer system and other computer operator
(user).
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UNIT-II Page 10 of 15
Explain different types of PC Operating System?
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is a Command Line interface. It is a single user and single tasking operating
system, in which only user can work at a time. It accepts the commands given by the user and
tells the computer how to perform the designated task and control the function of the computer.
Features of MS-DOS (or) Function of MS-DOS
1. It loads itself into the computers memory.
2. It is a single user OS, and hence it does not support networking that means we cannot
share the data or software between the computers using MS-DOS. It needs network
operating system for networking.
3. It is one of character user interface (CUI) based OS. Therefore, this interface supports only
command based instructions
4. It can handle large disks as a single volume i.e., it maintains large capacity hard disk at a
higher speed.
5. It makes more conventional memory (Minimum RAM memory can be 640 KB) available
to applications.
6. The installation procedure for MS-DOS is automatic and it will work perfectly on any
machine.
7. It controls various application programs such as word-processing, electronic worksheet,
database management programs etc.
8. It performs file operations such as creating a file, saving a file and opening an existing file,
copying and deleting a file etc.,

WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEMS


Windows is a multi user and multi tasking operating system. It is a graphical user
interface. It is new operating system for I.B.M PCs. Earlier versions require MS-DOS for running
windows. WINDOWS-95-XP/VISTA combines and improves up on the functions of the earlier
version of windows and also provided MS-DOS prompt. WINDOWS has a new look that is
designed for to user easily.
Features of WINDOWS operating system:
1. Windows operating system, as the name implies, opens each program in a different
window. So a user can view number of programs at a time on the screen
2. Long File Name Support: Windows operating system supports long file names. Hence a
user can type up to 255 characters including spaces as file names
3. Graphical User Interface(GUI) : As the name implies, windows operating system
provides graphical environment to the user. So a user can access and operate computer
system vary easily.
4. Multi Task: It is another feature of WINDOWS operating system to perform various tasks
such as editing text, printing, playing music etc. at a time.
5. Hardware and software support: WINDOWS operating system supports any type of
hardware and software products. So a user can easily install hardware and software
products.
UNIT-II Page 11 of 15
6. Plug and Play: Using this feature a user can connect hardware devices such as printer,
mouse, modem etc. to a computer system even computer is running (power on).
7. Help Facility: WINDOWS operating system provides online help. Using this facility, the
user can get the detailed information instantly on the monitor while working with
WINDOWS.
8. Powerful Searching: Using this feature, the user can search for the required files, folders
and other information in the computer system vary easily and quickly.
9. Object Linking and Embedding (OLE): It is one the useful features of WINDOWS
operating system. Using this feature, the user can copy or move the required information
from one application to another application. Also the user can link various objects of
different applications.
10. Windows Explorer: It is a program provided by WINDOWS operating system to view
the complete computer’s information i.e., drives, folders and files with in a single window.
11. Drag and Drop facility: Using this feature, the user can copy or move various files and
folders from one place to another place in the disk using the mouse very easily and
quickly.
12. Internet Access: Windows operating system has built-in software programs to connect
and access Internet very easily and quickly.

WINDOWS –2000
WINDOWS – 2000 combines the user-friendly interface and features of 98 with the file
system, net working, power and stability of WINDOWS NT and some new and improved
features WINDOWS – 2000 has following editions.
1. Professional Edition: This version is found primarily on PC’s in offices and small
business. It is useful for performing multiple jobs.
2. Server Standard Edition: This version is useful as a network server for the average
business
3. Advanced Server Edition: This version is more powerful of the server edition. It
supports for more RAM. It provides alternative printers, if one printer server fails.
4. Data center server edition: This version is the most powerful of the server edition. This
version is useful as a network server for large business
Features of WINDOWS – 2000
a) Improved setup and installation
b) Improved internet features
c) Improved net working
d) Improved disk management
UNIT-II Page 12 of 15
WINDOWS XP
It is the latest version of the windows suite operating system. It is a user-friendly interface.
The desktop of a XP is look like a 3D wit rounded curves and more shading. It also appears some
bright colour choice .The WINDOWS XP has the following editions.
1. Home Edition: The edition is used to home purpose. It added security than WINDOWS
98
2. Professional Edition: This edition is used to mainly corporate office PC’s. It is useful for
performing multiple jobs.
Features of WINDOWS XP:
Digital Media Support: This supports the multimedia features. Through the window media
player, users of XP can take advantage of digital broadcast support, as well as video and audio
rendering for multimedia projects.
Advanced Networking and Communication: WINDOWS XP has an advantage of Universal
Plug and play support, which permits the PC to find new hardware connected via network,
without forcing the user to configure the system or install drivers. It also uses the Internet
Connection Sharing, which allows the user to connect multiple computers to the Internet through
a single connection.
Advanced Mobile Computing: Through the use of features like Automatic Configuration, we
can connect an XP-based laptop to a desktop PC without needing to set different types of network
settings. XP’s IR-COM MODEM supports cellular phone for connecting the Internet.
------------
Difference Between WINDOWS And MS-DOS?
(OR)
Difference between CUI and GUI?
MS-DOS WINDOWS
1. It is a CUI(Command line interface). 1. It is a GUI( Graphical User Interface).
2. It is a single user and single tasking 2. It is a multi user and multi tasking
operating system operating system
3. To execute commands, the user has to 3. To execute command, the user has to
type command from the keyboard. click the command from full-down menu
The command must be in exact or click the appropriate icon using the
syntax. mouse.
4. It supports multi tasking
4. It does not support multitasking 5. Mouse is the important device for
5. In most DOS based applications accessing the commands in windows.
mouse operations are not available 6. It allows a file name up to 255
6. It allows a file name up to 8 characters characters
7. It is 16-bit operating system 7. It is 32-bit operating system
8. It can’t support networking 8. It can support networking
9. It does not support any system 9. It supports system security and controls
security and control password and through passwords and logins
logins 10. It can support Internet facility
10. It can’t support Internet facility
UNIT-II Page 13 of 15

UNIX
Unix is multi user operating system. It is a command line interface. It was the contribution
of ken. Thompson was designed and developed UNIX at AT&T bell laboratories in 1970’s.
UNIX was an incredibly powerful and flexible operating system that could run on a single
computer or a network.
It makes efficient use of the computers resources. Unix can be used by more than one user
simultaneously and the sign on (log on) to the system from different terminals. It runs on any
type of computers, including super computers, notebook computers, mainframe computers and
mini computers etc.,

Features of UNIX
1. Multi user environment:- UNIX can be used by more than one user simultaneously and
the user can be sign on (log on) to the system from different terminals.
2. Multi tasking:- UNIX is a multi tasking operating system, because it allows the user to
perform more than one task at a time
3. Portability:- UNIX operating system is portable because it can be installed on any type of
computers with just minor modifications.
4. Modularity: In UNIX we can add or remove various modules as and when needed
5. File Structure:- The file structure in UNIX has hierarchical structure, it provides high
flexibility in dealing with files i.e., easy to retrieve files at any where being in the structure
or easy to move or remove them being at remote place in the structure.
6. Security:- It is a multi-user operating system, so there is a chance to change one user file
by another user. Hence the UNIX provides passwords to the user to protect their files.
7. Communication :- UNIX provide good communication facility with the help of
commands like “mail and right “ for communicate across different users.
8. Redirection and piping:- UNIX is hardware independent operating system they take
input from a key board and send the output to another output devices.
9. I/O independents:- It treats the I/O devices as files. At any communication to this I/O
devices will be carried out through successive read and write operation through this
special feature.
LINUX
LINUX is a new version of UNIX that developed by worldwide co-operative of
programmers and is freely distributed by various resources
LINUX is considered as free ware of an operating system. Its power, capability and rich
feature set has improved industry experts. Like UNIX, LINUX is a full 32-bit, multi tasking
operating system, which supports multi user and multi processes. Also like UNIX, LINUX can
run on nearly any computer and can support almost any type of applications.
The big difference with LINUX is its price. Any one can get free copy of LINUX on the
Internet and disk based copies are often inserted in popular books and magazines. LINUX uses a
command line interface, but it is windows based GUI also.
Features of LINUX
Write UNIX features.
UNIT-II Page 14 of 15
 Running Programs
The operating system provides a convenient interface between programs and user. It is
also interface between those programs and other computer resources such as memory, printer or
another program. Programmers write computer programs with built-in function called system
call-that request services from operating system. Programs are executed by a command or
selecting the icons to a user.
 Sharing information
Sharing information means to move or copy information from one place to another or one
software to another. By using the following commands the (cut, copy, paste) user can transfer
from one place to another place.
Ex: Cut, Copy, Paste
OLE is another feature of sharing information. It stands for Object Linking Embedding.
This feature is used to share in one software to another.
 Multi Tasking
Multi tasking means much more than capability to load multiple programs into memory. It
means being able to perform two or more procedures such as printing a document, sending a E-
mail over the internet, typing a letter playing music simultaneously.
 Managing Files
The operating system manages the files in hard disk or floppy disk through File Allocation
Table (FAT). The root contains number of files and folders. Each folder contains files and
folders. The file or folder is creates and organize through FAT.
 Managing Hardware
If we want to execute programs, they need to use the computer’s memory, monitor, disk
drives and other device such as printers. The operating system is the interface between our
computers and other devices.
 Processing Interrupts:-
The operating system responds and co-ordinates the software and hardware through its
interrupts request. The OS uses interrupt requests to help the C.P.U to co-ordinate with the
program.
 Drivers:-
A driver is a program that accepts requests for action from the operating system and
causes a device such as printer to execute the request.
 Networking:-
The operating system can also allow us to work with multiple computers on a network. On
a network usually each person has a separate PC with its own operating system. The network
server also has its own operating system, which manages the flow of data on the file server and
around the network.
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UNIT-II Page 15 of 15

Differences between magnetic and optical storage devices?


Magnetic Optical
1. Magnetic storage devices are 1. Optical are external storage
internal storage devices(Hard devices(CD, DVD etc)
disk)
2. data reading capacity is higher 2. data reading capacity is lower
than optical than magnetic
3. We can store data to one GB to 3. We can store data one GB to 30
another GB GB
4. The read and write sector can 4. the laser can read one bit at a
read time
5. Magnetic storage devices can 5. Optical storage devices can read
read the data at rates of 5 – 15 the data at 10000 KBPS.
MBPS
6.

Differences between LAN and WAN?


LAN WAN
1. LAN stands for Local Area 1. WAN stands for Wide Area
Network Network
2. A limit is there to design the 2. There is no limit to design Wide
local area network (i.e., Area Network
maximum 25 kilometers)
3. Number of PCs or terminals are 3. Number of servers are used to
used to design a LAN design WAN
4. We can share the information 4. We can share the information
from one system to another from one server to another server
system
5. Data cable is used to transfer the 5. Over phone or satellite to
data from system to another transfer the data from server to
system another server
6. Small organizations commonly 6. Big Organizations commonly
used the LAN systems used the WAN system
7. Small volume of data is 7. Large Volume of data is
transferred from system to transferred from server to
another system another server

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