Basic concepts of system software

Full notes coming soon — here's what the syllabus covers for now:

• Describe system software
• Extend system software concepts
• Operating system
• What is an operating system?
• What is the purpose/role of an operating system? ◊ General role: suite/group of related programs which manage hardware and software ◊ Specific role: provides user interface, I/O management ◊ Brief overview of the role of the operating system in terms of file, disk, memory, storage and process management
• Types of operating systems (also associate with types of computers), e.g. stand-alone, network, embedded
• Examples of common operating systems
• Utility programs
• What are utility programs?
• What are they used for?
• Generic/common examples
• Purpose of device drivers