Operating System.

In this article operating system, processing, processor, real time, software, hardware, System Software, Application Software. Programming, Engineering, Scientific Software, Product, Product-line, Utility, Life Cycle, coding,  Design, Database, Management, System, Database Management System, Enterprise Resource Planning, Computer Memory, RAM, ROM, PROM, Banking Software, cash management etc have been discussed. let's see the detail.

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Operating system (OS).

The operating system is the most important program that runs on a computer. Every general￾purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic t asks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a traffic cop it makes sure those different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system. Operating systems can be classified as follows:

 Multi-user: Allows two or more users to run programs at the same time. Some operating systems permit hundreds or even thousands of concurrent users.

 Multiprocessing : Supports running a program on more than one CPU.

 Multitasking : Allows more than one program to run concurrently.

 Multi threading : Allows different parts of a single program to run concurrently.

 Real time: Responds to input instantly. General-purpose operating systems, such as DOS

and UNIX, are not real-time.

Operating systems provide a software platform on top of which other programs, called application programs, can run. The application programs must be written to run on top of a particular operating system. Your choice of operating system, therefore, determines to a  great extent the applications you can run. For PCs, the most popular operating systems are DOS, OS/2, and Windows, but others are available, such as Linux.

As a user, you normally interact with the operating system through a set of commands. For example, the DOS operating system contains commands such as COPY and RENAME for copying files and changing the names of files, respectively. The commands are accepted and executed by a part of the operating system called the command processor or command line interpreter. Graphical user interfaces allow you to enter commands by pointing and clicking at objects that appear on the screen.

How Operating Systems Work ?

When you turn on your computer, it's nice to think that you're in control. There's the trusty computer mouse, which you can move anywhere on the screen, summoning up your music library or Internet browser at the slightest whim. Although it's easy to feel like a director in front of your desktop or laptop, there's a lot going on inside, and the real man behind the curtain handling the necessary tasks is the operating system.

Most desktop or laptop PCs come pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows. Macintosh computers come pre-loaded with Mac OS X. Many corporate servers use the Linux or UNIX operating systems. The operating system (OS) is the first thing loaded onto the computer without the operating system, a computer is useless.

More recently, operating systems have started to pop up in smaller computers as well. If you like to tinker with electronic devices, you're probably pleased that operating systems can now be found on many of the devices we use every day, from cell phones to wireless access points. The computers used in these little devices have gotten so powerful that they can now actually run an operating system and applications. The computer in a typical modern cellphone is now more powerful than a desktop computer from 20 years ago, so this progression makes sense and is a natural development.

The purpose of an operating system is to organize and control hardware and software so that the device it lives in behaves in a flexible but predictable way. In this article, we'll tell you what a piece of software must do to be called an operating system, show you how the operating system in your desktop computer works and give you some examples of how to take control of the other operating systems around you.

Difference between Hardware & Software. 

SL No.	Points	Hardware	Software
1.	Definition	Devices that are required to store and execute (or run) the software.	Collection of instructions that enables a user to interact with the computer. Software is a program that enables a computer to perform a specific task, as opposed to the physical components of the system (hardware).
2.	Types	Input, storage, processing, control, and output devices.	System software, Programming software, and Application software
3.	Examples	CD-ROM, monitor, printer, video card, scanners, label makers, routers, and modems.	Quickbooks, Adobe Acrobat, Winoms-Cs, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel.
4.	Function	Hardware serve as the delivery system for software solutions. The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and data, which are “soft” in the sense that they are readily created, modified, or erased on the compute. To perform the specific task you need to complete.	Software is generally not needed to for the hardware to perform its basic level tasks such as turning on and responding to input.
5.	Inter dependency	Hardware starts functioning once software is loaded.	To deliver its set of instructions, Software is installed on hardware.
6.	Failure	Hardware failure is random. Hardware does have increasing failure at the last stage.	Software failure is systematic. Software does not have an increasing failure rate.
7.	Durability	Hardware wears out over time.	Software does not wear out over time. However, bugs are discovered in software as time passes.
8.	Nature	Hardware is physical in nature.	Software is logical in nature.

Types of Software.

There are many types of software and this is increasing with the development of technology. Some of these types are described below.

1. System Software: 

It helps in running the computer hardware and the computer system. System software is a collection of operating systems; device drivers, servers,windowing systems and utilities. System software is the communicator of user and hardware.

2. Application Software: 

Application software consists of standalone programs that solve a specific business need. Business software, databases and educational software are some forms of application software. Different word processors, which are dedicated for specialized tasks to be performed by the user, are other examples of application software.

3. Programming Software: 

This software comes in forms of tools that assist a programmer in writing computer programs. Computer programs are sets of logical instructions that make a computer system perform certain tasks. The tools that help the programmers in instructing a computer system include text editors, compilers and interpreters.

4. Engineering / Scientific Software : 

These software ranges from astronomy to volcano-logy, from automotive stress analysis to space shuttle orbital dynamics and from molecular biology to automated manufacturing. This software is used in various aspects of engineering examination, scientific experiments and calculations etc.

5. Embedded Software: 

Embedded software resides within a product to perform some specific tasks. Such as the button control pad of microwave oven, the display controller, fuel controller of an automobile, secure gate pass of an elevator or lift etc.

6. Product-line Software: 

Software that are designed to use by many different customers. Product-line software can focus on a limited marketplace such as inventory control products or address mass consumer markets such as word processing, spreadsheets, graphics etc.

7. Web Applications: 

Web applications are online software. These software work through web sites mainly. These applications not only provide standalone features but also integrated with corporate databases and business applications.

8. Artificial Intelligence Software: 

A software makes use of nonnumerical algorithms to solve complex problems that are amenable to computation or straightforward analysis. Application within this area includes robotics, expert systems, pattern recognition, game playing etc.

Utility Software with 5 Example.

A Utility software is a computer software designed to help in the management and tuning of operating systems, computer hardware and application software. It is designed to perform a single task or a multiple of small tasks. Examples of utility software's include:

 Disk defragmenters,

 System Profilers,

 Network Managers,

 Application Launchers and

 Virus Scanners.

Software Package.

(1) A special method of distributing and installing software (or software upgrades) to a computer. For example, on a Macintosh computer, a package usually means "software." It's specifically a directory, presented as a single file, that contains all the information the Mac OS X Installer application needs to install your software. That includes the software itself, as well as files that are used only during the installation process. In a Windows environment it is sometimes called an installation package or update package.

(2) Multiple software programs that work together (or performs similar functions) and is bundled and sold together as a software package.

(3) Term used to describe software that is bunched together making a complete set. For example, Microsoft Office is packaged software that includes many software programs that may be used in the office, such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access.

Software Development Life Cycle Phases.

are-Software life cycle models describe phases of the software cycle and the order in which those phases are executed. Each phase produces deliverable required by the next phase in the life cycle. Requirements are translated into design. Code is produced according to the design which is called development phase. After coding and development the testing verifies the deliverable of the implementation phase against requirements.

There are following six phases in every Software development life cycle model:

1. Design

2. Implementation or coding

3. Testing

4. Deployment

5. Maintenance

6. Requirement gathering and analysis.

1) Requirement gathering and analysis: 

Business requirements are gathered in this phase. This phase is the main focus of the project managers and stake holders. Meetings with managers, stake holders and users are held in order to determine the requirements like; Who is going to use the system? How will they use the system? What data should be input into the system? What data should be output by the system? These are general questions that get answered during a requirements gathering phase. After requirement gathering these requirements are analyzed for their validity and the possibility of incorporating the requirements in the system to be development is also studied. Finally, a Requirement Specification document is created which serves the purpose of guideline for the next phase of the model.

2) Design: 

In this phase the system and software design is prepared from the requirement specifications which were studied in the first phase. System Design helps in specifying hardware and system requirements and also helps in defining overall system architecture. The system design specifications serve as input for the next phase of the model.

3) Implementation / Coding: 

On receiving system design documents, the work is divided in modules/units and actual coding is started. Since, in this phase the code is produced so it is the main focus for the developer. This is the longest phase of the software development life cycle.

4) Testing: 

After the code is developed it is tested against the requirements to make sure that the product is actually solving the needs addressed and gathered during the requirements phase. During this phase unit testing, integration testing, system testing, acceptance testing are done.

5) Deployment: 

After successful testing the product is delivered / deployed to the customer for their use.

6) Maintenance: 

Once when the customers starts using the developed system then the actual problems comes up and needs to be solved from time to time. This process where the care is taken for the developed product is known as maintenance.

Database Management System (DBMSs).

A collection of programs that enables you to store, modify, and extract information from a database. There are many different types of DBMSs, ranging from small systems that run on personal computers to huge systems that run on mainframes. The following are examples of database applications:

 computerized library systems.

 automated teller machines.

 flight reservation systems.

 computerized parts inventory systems.

From a technical standpoint, DBMSs can differ widely. The terms relational, network, flat, and hierarchical all refer to the way a DBMS organizes information internally. The internal organization can affect how quickly and flexibly you can extract information. Requests for information from a database are made in the form of a query, which is a stylized question. For example, the query SELECT ALL WHERE NAME = "SMITH" AND AGE > 35 requests all records in which the NAME field is SMITH and the AGE field is greater than 35.

The set of rules for constructing queries is known as a query language. Different DBMSs support different query languages, although there is a semi-standardized query language called SQL (structured query language). Sophisticated languages for managing database systems are called fourth-generation languages, or 4GLsfor short. The information from a database can be presented in a variety of formats. Most DBMSs include a report writer program that enables you to output data in the form of a report. Many DBMSs also include a graphics component that enables you to output information in the form of graphs and charts.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is business process management software that allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications to manage the business and automate back office functions. ERP software integrates all facets of an operation, including product planning, development, manufacturing processes, sales and marketing. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is business management software usually a suite of integrated applications that a company can use to store and manage data from every stage of business, including:

 Product planning, cost and development.

 Manufacturing.

 Marketing and sales.

 Inventory management.

 Shipping and payment.

ERP provides an integrated real-time view of core business processes, using common databases maintained by a database management system. ERP systems track business resources cash, raw materials, production capacity and the status of business commitments: orders, purchase orders, and payroll. The applications that make up the system share data across the various departments (manufacturing, purchasing, sales, accounting, etc.) that entered the data. ERP facilitates information flow between all business functions, and manages connections to outside stakeholders.

Enterprise system software is a multi-billion dollar industry that produces components that support a variety of business functions. IT investments have become the largest category of capital expenditure in United States-based businesses over the past decade. Though early ERP systems focused on large enterprises, smaller enterprises increasingly use ERP systems.

Organizations consider the ERP system a vital organizational tool because it integrates varied organizational systems and facilitates error-free transactions and production. However, ERP system development is different from traditional systems development. ERP systems run on a variety of computer hardware and network configurations, typically using a database as an information repository.

Computer Memory.

Memory is an essential element of a computer. Without its memory, a computer is of hardly any use. Memory plays an important role in saving and retrieving data. The performance of the computer system depends upon the size of the memory. Memory is of following types:

1. Primary Memory / Volatile Memory.

2. Secondary Memory / Non Volatile Memory.

1. Primary Memory / Volatile Memory: 

Primary Memory is internal memory of the computer. RAM AND ROM both form part of primary memory. The primary memory provides main working space to the computer. The following terms comes under primary memory of a computer are discussed below:

Random Access Memory (RAM): 

The primary storage is referred to as random access memory (RAM) because it is possible to randomly select and use any location of the memory directly store and retrieve data. It takes same time to any address of the memory as the first address. It is also called read/write memory. The storage of data and instructions inside the primary storage is temporary. It disappears from RAM as soon as the power to the computer is switched off. The memories, which lose their content on failure of power supply, are known as volatile memories .So now we can say that RAM is volatile memory.

Read Only Memory (ROM): 

There is another memory in computer, which is called Read Only Memory (ROM). Again it is the ICs inside the PC that form the ROM. The storage of program and data in the ROM is permanent. The ROM stores some standard processing programs supplied by the manufacturers to operate the personal computer. The ROM can only be read by the CPU but it cannot be changed. The basic input/output program is stored in the ROM that examines and initializes various equipment attached to the PC when the power switch is ON. The memories, which do not lose their content on failure of power supply, are known as non-volatile memories. ROM is non-volatile memory.

Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM): 

There is another type of primary memory in computer, which is called Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM). You know that it is not possible to modify or erase programs stored in ROM, but it is possible for you to store your program in PROM chip. Once the programmers’ are written it cannot be changed and remain intact even if power is switched off. Therefore programs or instructions written in PROM or ROM cannot be erased or changed.

Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM): 

This stands for Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, which overcome the problem of PROM & ROM. EPROM chip can be programmed time and again by erasing the information stored earlier in it. Information stored in EPROM exposing the chip for some time ultraviolet light and it erases chip is reprogrammed using a special programming facility. When the EPROM is in use information can only be read.

 Cache Memory:
The speed of CPU is extremely high compared to the access time of main memory. Therefore the performance of CPU decreases due to the slow speed of main memory. To decrease the mismatch in operating speed, a small memory chip is attached between CPU and Main memory whose access time is very close to the processing speed of CPU. It is called CACHE memory. CACHE memories are accessed much faster than conventional RAM. It is used to store programs or data currently being executed or temporary data frequently used by the CPU. So each memory makes main memory to be

faster and larger than it really is. It is also very expensive to have bigger size of cache memory and its size is normally kept small.

 Registers: 
The CPU processes data and instructions with high speed; there is also movement of data between various units of computer. It is necessary to transfer the processed data with high speed. So the computer uses a number of special memory units called registers. They are not part of the main memory but they store data or information temporarily and pass it on as directed by the control unit.

2. Secondary Memory / Non-Volatile Memory: 

Secondary memory is external and permanent in nature. The secondary memory is concerned with magnetic memory. Secondary memory can be stored on storage media like floppy disks, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, This memory can also be stored optically on Optical disks - CD-ROM. The following terms comes under secondary memory of a computer are discussed below:

Magnetic Tape: 

Magnetic tapes are used for large computers like mainframe computers where large volume of data is stored for a longer time. In PC also you can use tapes in the form of cassettes. The cost of storing data in tapes is inexpensive. Tapes consist of magnetic materials that store data permanently. It can be 12.5 mm to 25 mm wide plastic film-type and 500 meter to 1200 meter long which is coated with magnetic material. The deck is connected to the central processor and information is fed into or read from the tape through the processor. It’s similar to cassette tape recorder.

Magnetic Disk: 

You might have seen the gramophone record, which is circular like a disk and coated with magnetic material. Magnetic disks used in computer are made on the same principle. It rotates with very high speed inside the computer drive. Data is stored on both the surface of the disk. Magnetic disks are most popular for direct access storage device. Each disk consists of a number of invisible concentric circles called tracks. Information is recorded on tracks of a disk surface in the form of tiny magnetic spots. The presence of a magnetic spot represents one bit and its absence represents zero bit. The information stored in a disk can be read many times without affecting the stored data. So the reading operation is non￾destructive. But if you want to write a new data, then the existing data is erased from the disk and new data is recorded. For Example- Floppy Disk.

Optical Disk: 

With every new application and software there is greater demand for memory capacity. It is the necessity to store large volume of data that has led to the development of optical disk storage medium. Optical disks can be divided into the following categories:

1. Compact Disk/ Read Only Memory (CD-ROM

2. Write Once, Read Many (WORM)

3. Erasable Optical Disk

Core Banking Software.

"Core Banking Software" is a troublesome term because every banking software vendor has its own definition! Strategic Information Technology defines core banking software as the functionality required to run a bank or credit union. Period. SIT's Portfolio Plus core banking includes:

 Retail Banking (includes EFT, Checking, Savings, Teller functionality, etc.)

 Lines of Credit & Segregated Lines of Credit.

 Loans.

 Mortgages.

 Web Banking.

 Investments (Includes retirement plans).

 Clearing.

 Term Deposits.

 Accounting and more.

In addition, there are many third party interfaces that a core banking system must accommodate. These include:

 CANNEX.

 ATM & ABM.

 FundSERV.

 Tel-pay.

 Check Clearing.

 Equifax.

 Trans Union.

 Point of Sale (POS).

 Loan Insurance.

SN	Vendor	Application. Software System	Core Link
1	FIS | Fidelity National Information Services	Corebank, BancPac etc	FIS
2	TEMENOS	T24	TEMENOS
3	Oracle Financial Services Software	Oracle Banking Platform, Micro banker,	FNIS
4	Infosys Technologies	Finacle	Infosys

Core Banking Software used in our country:

1. Flora UBS: NCCB, Jamuna, Trurt, MTBL

2. Oracle : DBBL, ONE Etc

3. Bankers Solution.

4. Temenos T24: Sonali Bank

5. Infinity: Janata

Use of computer in cash management.

Cash management refers to a broad area of finance involving the collection, handling, and

usage of cash. It involves assessing market liquidity, cash flow, and investments.

In banking, cash management, or treasury management, is a marketing term for certain

services related to cash flow offered primarily to larger business customers. It may be used to

describe all bank accounts (such as checking accounts) provided to businesses of a certain

size, but it is more often used to describe specific services such as cash concentration, zero

balance accounting, and automated clearing house facilities. Sometimes, private banking

customers are given cash management services.

Financial instruments involved in cash management include money market funds, treasury

bills, and certificates of deposit.