Instructor: Prof. Michael P. Harris Chapter 1
Answers to Discussion Questions Getting Started with the Operating System
Chapter 1
Getting Started with the Operating System
ANSWERS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (pp. 35-36)
1. What is an operating system?
An operating system allows the user to communicate with the computer. It oversees the hardware components of the computer system and must be loaded into memory prior to any application software.
2. What are enhancements?
Software companies periodically release new OS versions to take advantage of new technology, add new commands, and to fix bugs. These new versions contain enhancements that increase the capabilities of a computer by adding or updating hardware and/or software. System software is also released in new versions.
3. Define system configuration.
System configuration is the components that make up a specific computer system.
4. List two common ways that computer systems are configured.
Most computers are configured in one of the following ways:
§ One hard disk drive, one CD-ROM drive, and one floppy disk drive.
§ One hard disk drive, one CD-ROM drive, one floppy disk drive, and one Zip drive.
§ Two hard disk drives, one CD-ROM drive, and one floppy disk drive.
§ One hard drive, one CD-ROM drive, one read-write CD-ROM drive, and one floppy disk drive.
5. Why is it necessary to boot the system?
It is necessary to boot the system in order to load DOS from the boot disk to the computer’s main memory (RAM) and execute the self-diagnostic test routine. This must be done before application software can be run.
6. How would you boot the system?
To boot (known as a cold start) a computer with a hard drive, remove any disks from Drive A:, then turn on the computer. To boot a computer that does not have a hard drive insert the Windows XP CD in the appropriate Drive and power on the system.
7. What is an object?
To Windows, almost all items are considered to be objects. Objects can be opened, have properties, and can be manipulated. Objects can also have settings and parameters.
8. What is a property?
A property is a characteristic of an object. For example, when checking the property sheet for a drive you see the following properties: the label or electronic name, the amount of used and free space, the disk type and its total capacity. In other words, file properties are details about a file that help identify it.
9. What is a value?
All objects of the same type have the same properties, but the value of each property is what separates one object from another. For example, humans (objects) have names (property). The value (specific name of a person) differentiates one object of the same type (human) to another object of the same type (human).
10. Identify and explain the function and purpose of the two parts of a file specification.
The file specification is the formal name for a file name. It contains the file name (mandatory), which describes/identifies the contents of the file. The second part of a file specification is the file extension (not mandatory), which identifies the type of file (tells kind of data in file).
11. What is the difference between a command and a program?
A command is a program. A command is an instruction that the user keys in at the command line prompt. These instructions execute the selected program. A command is typically thought of as performing only one task.
A program is the set of instructions telling the computer what to do. It is usually considered more complex than a command.
12. Compare and contrast internal and external commands.
Internal commands are loaded into RAM when the computer is booted and remain in RAM until the computer is turned off.
External commands are loaded from the disk each time they are used. These commands are transient and do not remain in memory after being executed.
13. What is the purpose of the DIR command?
The DIR command is an internal command that is used to display the table of contents of the directory of a disk. In other words, it allows you to locate files on a disk.
14. What is the function of the VER command?
The VER command displays the current version number of the operating system your computer is running.
15. What is the function of the CLS command?
The CLS command will clear the entire screen but has no impact on the contents of a disk.
16. How can you set the date and time?
The date and time can be set by using the internal DATE and TIME commands at the command line, or by clicking time displayed at the right of the taskbar.
17. How do you set the time when using the TIME command?
When you enter the TIME command, the OS displays the current system time and gives you a chance to change it. If you do not want to change the time, press <Enter>. If you want a new time, respond to the prompt. Only the colon can be used to separate the numbers. In either 12- or 24- hour format enter the time as HH:MM:SS. The seconds are optional. H, M, and S must be numeric. If you wish the time to be in the P.M. you add a “p” after the time. A.M. is the default. You may also enter the time as hh:mm
18. What is the purpose of making a backup copy of a program?
A backup copy of a program is made in case something happens to the original. Since all disks can go bad, it is important to prepare for this by making backup copies.
19. Why should you work with a copy of a program rather then with the original?
One works with a copy of a program rather then with the original as a safety precaution. There is a chance that the disk will go bad. If this happens and you are working with backup copies it is then possible to recopy the original program.
20. Why is it important to know what type of media you are using when copying disks?
To make an exact copy of a disk you must have like media (same type and capacity). Diskcopy is limited to floppy disks.
21. What is the purpose of the DISKCOPY command?
DISKCOPY is an external command that makes an identical copy of any floppy disk to another floppy disk track for track, sector for sector. Before it copies a disk, it formats it.
22. What are the necessary steps to ending a work session?
To end a work session with the computer close all open windows, remove any disks, click START, point to SHUT DOWN THE COMPUTER, click YES. If it is a new computer it will power down automatically. If it is an older model, wait until you see screen telling you it is safe to turn off the computer, turn off the monitor, printer, and system unit.