BBA – I Semester

Information Technology – I
Unit 2 – Operating System

What is an Operating System?

A computer’s operating system is a collection of programs that manage and coordinate the
activities taking place with in computer. The operating system boots the computer, launches
application software programs, and ensures that all actions requested by user are valid and
processed in an orderly fashion. It is the most important system software without which we
cannot perform any task in computer. It provides an interface for users to communicate with
the computer. It is also called as master programs of all programs.
It is an integrated set of programs that controls the resources (the CPU, memory, I/O devices,
etc.) of a computer system.

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Types of Operating System:
• According to Interface
- CUI
- GUI
• According to capabilities & types of application
- Multi-user OS
– Multi Tasking OS
– Batch Processing OS
• According to capabilities & types of application
- Multiprocessor OS
– Embedded OS

Functions of Operating System:

Memory Management
It manages the allocating of primary and secondary memory to data and programs. When jobs
are run, Operating System retrieves it form the disk and loads it into its memory. But before it
is loaded the operating system must check weather memory is available for it or not, and if it is
available, it allocates it to your job.
Process Management (CPU Management)
It assigns all the instructions and programs to the processer for their execution. It is the
assignment of the CPU that allows processes to accomplish job assigned to it. This assignment
is a complex problem handled by operating system. Operating system handles the problem of
assigning various jobs for processing. This function of operating system is called
scheduling.
Disk Management:
It stores data and programs within a file and this file can be manipulated by so many ways. The
operating system helps you to store file and retrieve files whenever, required by you. We as a
user need not bother about how the data or files are stored on storage.

Input Output Management:

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The computer system that you are using might be attached to the peripheral devices like
keyboard, printer, mouse, modems etc. Each one handles either the input or output job of your
system. All these devices communicate with the computer for getting the job and getting the
job done, which is again controlled and monitored by operating system.

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Security Management:
It provides the security to stored data from users when the computer systems is attacked by
viruses, it informs us in time against this attack and tells us how to remove the viruses from
system by using antivirus .
Integrity Management:
The Operating System integrates various devices that make up a computer system. It also
maintains the data and program as an integrated form. means data never interface each other.
Process Management:
It provides the different types of facilities of processes like Batch processing,
Multiprogramming, Multitasking, Time sharing, and real time processing.

Disk Operation System:

It’s a single user, single-tasking operating system that uses a command line interface. Since it
can be operated from disk instead of being hard-wired with the hardware, it was given the
name. This was the first operating system developed by Microsoft, so it is also know as MS-
DOS. This operating system was developed for IBM First personal computer (IBM-PC) in
1981.

After the success of home operating system is USA and other countries IBM planned to
introduce small computers into the market. At same time they were also looking for an
operating system, for their PC range of Computers, which they were planned to introduce in
the market in 1981. Bill Gates showing maturity and foresight beyond his years provided what
IBM was looking for, He purchased the copyrights of an OS called QDOS(Quick and Dist
operating system) developed by Mr. Tim Paterson.

Utilities of DOS
• DOS translates commands entered by user to the language which is understood by the
system.
• It allocates system resources according to the requirement.
• DOS provides features essential to control hardware devices such as Keyboard, Screen,
Disk Devices, Printers, Modems and programs.
• Management of Disk.

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• Commands for users.
• Coordination between application & System.

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• Management of Files.
• Co-ordination between System Components.
• Management of Process
• Management of Devices

History and Version of DOS

When IBM launched its revolutionary personal computer, the IBM PC in 1981, it came
complete with a 16 bit operating system from Microsoft, MS-DOS 1.0. This was Microsoft’s
first operating system. MS-Dos 1.0 was actually a renamed version of QDOS(Quick and Dirty
Operating System) also know 86-DOS, which Microsoft bought from Seattle Computer
Product in 1981. QDOS was written by Tim Paterson for the new Intel 16 bit 8086 CPU, and
the first version was released in August 1980. Microsoft also retained marketing rights for the
operating system separately from the IBM PC Project. Microsoft renamed it PC-DOS (IBM
Version) and MS-DOS (the Microsoft version).

Versions of DOS

From 1981, starting with version 1.0 to today version 6.22, it has undergone a complete
metamorphosis from single operating system. Following are the details of different version of
DOS.
• DOS 1.0: Aug 1981, First release of DOS for IBM

• DOS 2.0: A DOS started with version 2.0, which have few commands like fixed disk
formatting and backup utilities. In May 1982, For PC-XT computers, some new
commands like hierarchical directory structure also added in this version.

• DOS 3.0: After DOS 2.0, DOS 3.0 was introduced with some new features like it
support the application of DOS in different countries hence to choose different, data,
time, currency etc.

• DOS 3.3: This version had introduced a very useful feature like code page switching. A
user can select a character set which is a command to their local language, so it becomes
easy for users to understand the commands. In April 1987, this version also supported
multiple partitions of the hard disk, besides supporting 1.44 MB floppy.

• DOS 4.0: June 1988, Includes DOS shell which supports mouse. This version also
provided support for hard disk having size grater then 32 MB. This was the most
unsuccessful version of DOS.

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• DOS 5.0: June 1991, included memory management, full screen editor and many other
useful features.

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• DOS 6.0: March 1993, new features included were double space disk. Compression to
save space, improved memory management and disk utilities.

• DOS 6.22: After DOS 6.0, 6.22 came in the market, each having many advance
features, DOS 6.0 and 6.2 had solved the problem of data integrity by introducing
DBLSPACE etc

Drive Names:
Drive is the name for the devices in which your program or data is stored. One can
compare Drive with filing cabinet in which your files are stored in systematic manner.
Drive Names has two parts: (C) and Colon (: ) Colon denotes drive i.e. C: means C
drive.
Floppy drive (A: & B :) in computer.

Directory Structure:
Directories are like drawers in filing cabinet. Storing files in different directories makes
file easier to find. Usually program or data of same type are stored in one directory.
E.g. data directory contains all the files concerning data. The directory in which you are
presently working is called current directory.
Sub Directory:
Directories can contain other directories. A directory within directory is called
subdirectory. By creating subdirectories you can organize your files in better way.
Root Directory:
Main directory is called the root directory. The root directory is the starting point, which
other directories are branches of this directory; much like the roots of a tree.
Path:
To get a particular file, you must trace the path from the root directory to the directory
that contains the file. The path is the list of directories, starting with the root. Each
directories is separated by backslash (/)

Basic DOS Commands:

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Internal Commands: The Internals commands are loaded into memory when DOS is
booted. Internal commands are always available for use, as long as computer is on,

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although they are not seen when you display the disk directory of file names on your
screen. Since these commands remain in memory, hence they are called as internal
commands.
Some Internal Commands of DOS are
• DIR: Command use to display contains of folder i.e. files and sub-folders.

• CD: Command use to move from one directory to another directory.

Example: C:\ CD DOS brings you to C:\DOS\ directory
• CD.. brings you to the previous directory.
Example: if you are in C:\DOS\FOLDERCD.. Will bring you to C:\DOS
• CD\ -brings you to the root directory
Example: if you are in C:\DOS\FOLDERCD\ will bring you to C:\
• RD: Command use to remove directory.
Example: C:\ RD DOS
• COPY: COPY will copy the file from one location to another.
Example: COPY A:\file.txt C:\ will copy the file from a:\ to c:\
• XCOPY: Can move files, directories, and whole drives from one location to another, it
is more powerful than the copy command, and has a lot of switches.
• DEL: will delete a file or an empty directory from the drive
• REN: will rename the file
Example: REN file.txt myfile.txt will rename the file.txt to myfile.txt
• VOL: will display the label and serial number of drive
Example: f:\ vol will display
vol of drive F is personal
vol serial number is 68DC-F7EF
• DATE: command use to display and change current date of system
Example: c:\ date
The current date 08/10/2013:
Enter the new date (dd/mm/yyyy):
• TIME: command use to display and change current time of system

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Example: c:\ time
The current time is 09:33:33.45
Enter the new time:
• CLS : will clear the contents of the screen

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• PATH: will display the path of folders and files of system
Example: c:\path
External DOS Commands: External dos commands are conventional program files.
These files can be deleted copied and even renamed. Their filenames are displayed
when DIR list a directory on the screen.
Some external commands are.
• DOSKEY: Command store all DOS commands typed from the DOS prompt into
memory buffer. Any command in the buffer is recalled by using upper and down arrow
key.
Example: DOSKEY
Doskey installed

• TREE: Command displays all directory pathnames on the specified disk. An optional/F
parameter is available to let you display files name.
Example: C:\ TREE, it displays all directories on Drive C:

• DISKCOPY: Command used to makes an exact duplicate of the original disk.

DISKCOPY works only with disks of same size and capacity.
Example: C:\ DISKCOPY A: B:here A: [Source disk]and B:[Destination disk]

BACKUP: Makes a backup copy of one or more files

Example: BACKUP D:\ABC\ XYZ E:\ TEST
• MOVE: Command used to move a directory and files from one location to another on
the same disk. You can also change the name of moved directory or file with this
command.
Example: MOVE C:\directory\file C:\Directory

• FORMAT: Command used to delete all the data on the disk. It can also check the bed
areas on the disk.
Example: C:\ FORMAT A:
This command formats the floppy disk in drive A

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/Q Perform quick format
/S makes the floppy bootable
/C Test clusters in floppy drive

• PRINT: Command used to print one or more files. Command only use to print standard text file.

Example: C:\PRINT <file name>

While your document prints you can perform other operations. This process is called print spooling
• MOVE: Command used to move a directory and files from one location to another on the same disk.
You can also change the name of moved directory or file with this command.
Example: MOVE C:\directory\file C:\Directory
• CHKDSK: Check a disk to see how much space there is available, and how much is in use.
Example: C:\ chkdsk A: /F
• LABEL: Creates or changes or deletes a volume label for a disk. Example:
LABEL [d:][volume label]
• SORT: Command used to display files and folder in alphabetical order. i.e either in ascending or
descending order.
• ATTRIBE: The ATTRIB command is an external dos command that is used to change the attribute of
file.
Options with ATTRIB command
+R: Read attribute
-R: Remove attribute
+A/-A: To set or reset the archive bit.
• HELP: This command is used to display full index of DOS command. Command also use to display
only details of command in spite of index.
• SYS: The SYS is an external command that is used to transfer DOS system files to a specified target
disk.
Options:
/S Transfer system during the formatting process

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