• Processing tasks:
– Multitasking:
• More than one program can run at the same time
– Time-sharing:
• Allows more than one person to use a computer
system at the same time
– Scalability:
• Ability of the computer to handle an increasing
number of concurrent users smoothly
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Sixth Edition 50
Operating Systems (continued)
Operating Systems (continued)
• Networking capability:
– Allows computers in a network to send and receive
data and share computing resources
• Access to system resources and security:
– Protection against unauthorized access
– OS establishes a logon procedure
• File management:
– Ensures that files in secondary storage are available
when needed and that they are protected from
access by unauthorized users
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Sixth Edition 51
Current Operating Systems
• Microsoft PC operating systems:
– Windows XP
– Windows Vista
– Windows 7
• Apple computer operating systems:
– Wintel
– Snow Leopard (OS X v10.6)
• Linux:
– Red Hat Linux
– Caldera OpenLinux