| Assistance to the userf on some parts of computer science (Windows'95) |
The personal computers (PC) become useful only at
presence of applications solving problems of the user. However it was known
already for a long time, that there is a set of the one-type and rather
comparatively simple tasks, which are met practically in each application.
For example, tasks of input-output of the information, operating with its
storages on magnetic disks - files, handle of operating of many external
(peripheral) devices, etc.
The modern PC for solution of such tasks includes
three levels of the software. The lowest is the program of initial installation
of a configuration the PC (Setup) and kernel system of input-output (BIOS),
which is the software of the PC. It is stored in the constant storage device
(ROM, read only memmory) of the PC. BIOS executes control functions by
input - output and the PC stores the address map of interruptions.
A stopping of the PC at the origin of a specific
event is named the interruption. They have sequential numbers and the table
(vector) of interruptions stored in is connected to them. The table is
stored at the beginning of address space of the operating storage device
- ROM. The table is a set of addresses, each of which specifies a place
in the ROM of the subroutine which is carrying on a processing of interruptions.
For example, if user looks through a content of the A disk, having forgotten
to insert the disk into the drive, the appropriate interruption will complete
operating with the PC, and the subroutine of processing will output the
error message and will restore it after the operatings eliminating the
arisen situation.
The operating systems (OS) are the average level
of the software. It is possible to tell that the operating systems are
a linking component between a technical part of the computer (HardWare)
and applications of the user.
Generally, the operating systems are created for
execution of main operatings on handling of all major technical resources
of the computer (HardWare). The mechanism of interruptions is widely use
in the operating OS.
Operating systems, for example, are MS-DOS, (PC-DOS,
DR-DOS), PS/2, Windows NT, UNIX. Windows 3.1/3.11 are not operating systems
because they use some part of the ÎS MS-DOS.
The operating systems are on magnetic disks as some
set of files. A file is understood as a stored on the magnetic disk logically
connected information (data, program).
The operating systems together with applications
make the software of the PC (SoftWare). Recently such software is delivered
on new types of media, for example optical compact discs CD-ROM with laser
reading of the information.
For speeding of operation of the operating systems
from floppy disks or CD-ROM are transferred on the faster rigid disk the
PC (hard disk) having large memory size. Thus unpacking of files of the
operating system represented in packed (oblate) sort and installation them
in defined directories of the rigid disk with assignment of new parameters
for the operating systems quite often will be carried out. This process
is named as installation of the operating system.
All versions MS-DOS are executed as one task. It
means, that the user can execute only one application (task) on the computer.
Sometimes, with the help of special programs the user can work with several
applications simultaneously.
The operating systems use the user's interface for
communicating with the user. The user's interface represents a kit, which
can be a text one or graphical. Unfortunately, MS-DOS until now uses the
primitive and inconvenient user's interface, which is based on application
of commands gathered from the keyboard in character sort. Such way of dialogue
with the PC is extremely inconvenient, as requires reminding of set of
dozens of various commands, which in some cases are very difficult.
In this occasion the developers of the software
have begun to create a graphics user interface. Files and directories with
files of became to be designated by colourful and visual figures - icons.
The pioneer in creation of such interface has become
the Apple Computers corporation, whose PC of the Macintosh class are released
already for a long time with operating systems based on the graphics interface.
As a rule, such operating system are multitask, i.e. allow one user to
work simultaneously with the several tasks or even to use the PC by group
of the users.
The graphics interface was developed by the Microsoft
corporation for IBM PC in an extremity of the 80-th years. It was performed
on the basis of last versions MS-DOS by additionig of a graphics shell
(deckhouse) Windows to it.
In the past, two main versions of popular graphics
shells of the Windows class for IBM PC were used.
One of them is the Windows 3.1, which represents
a graphics deckhouse for the PC and oriented mainly to individual application.
Such shell poorly protects the user from errors.
Windows 3.11 for Workgroups is a graphics deckhouse
for the PC working in small local computer networks. It also poorly protects
the user from errors. Both these versions Windows are not valuable operating
systems, because they can work only at presence of the installed MS-DOS.
Later Microsoft has created the valuablis graphics
32-digit Windows NT operating system for the powerful PC, which are applied
in professional applications. However this system requires large hardware
resources, which interferes with its usage in firms, offices and in a life
hinders.
Thus, in development of operating systems there
was a necessity of creation them for the IBM-compatible PC in a middle
of the 90-th years. This necessity occurs in absence of the modern multitask
operating system with the graphics interface for the most spreaded IBM-compatible
PC.
Windows 95 has appeared due to extensive research
in the field of psychology of the users the PC and further perfecting of
the user interface.
User's interface is a collection of hardware, program
and graphics tools directed for organization of the dialogue with the user.
The special attention was given to development of
Windows 95 for simplification of methods of operation with the system.
The developers of the user's interface Windows 95 were oriented at the
user who is not familiar with operation the PC. It was intuitively made
clear and simplis. The possibilities of use it large: the sophisticated
user can construct the interface under any conditions of operation, which
is necessary for him.
Thus, the appearance of the Windows 95 has removed the necessity of
creation of operating systems for the IBM-compatible PC. It has practically
removed the lag from developments of the Apple corporation in methods of
application of convenient graphics tools for dialogue with the end user.
OC Windows 95 has the following tags:
1. It is the completed multitask multi-user operating system with the
modern graphics interface. It inspects all control functions of the PC
after installation ones; does not require a separate installation MS-DOS
and graphics deckhouse above itself; has a set of useful and perfect drivers,
program utilities and applications.
2. Windows 95 supports modern (32-digit) applications. It allows to raise speed of execution of a number of software products. In particular a new set of software for automation of office activity Microsoft Office is supported. Also Windows95 partially uses also 16-digit applications with the purposes of compatibility with former versions Windows.
3. The system ensures a rise of speed of execution of applications approximately
on 25-30 of % at sufficient size of the ROM (more than 8 Mb). The operation
with disks is very much accelerated. The speed of printing is raised almost
twice.
The graphics shell of the Windows 95 requires much more smaller percent
of system resources, than the Windows 3.1 shell.
4. The user's interface of a graphics shell of the system is improved. Practically, it does not concede to those for the PC of the Macintosh class. The operating control for working in the Windows environment by applications is entered.
5. The mode of "Plug and Play" is performed. The system automatically recognizes all peripheral units which available in the given concrete PC and installs the necessary drivers. The customizing version allows to determine a lot of peripheral and multimedia devices.
6. Windows 95 most completely uses tools of multimedia. The new program utilities are introduced for improving operation with devices of multimedia. A number of tools for operation with multimedia audiovisual process engineerings are generated. Such tools are set of modern process engineerings beginning from reproduction of sound files and finishing operation with videofilms.
7. Such communication facilities as the global computer mail and local network with the raised capacity are extended. The PC which are equipped with Windows 95 has become convenient to unite in a local network. Windows 95 is the quite completed tool for operation of the PC as a server, and workstations.
8. Limited length in the name of files is enlarged. The names can contain
up to 250 characters. Files does not contain a principle of a construction
which be not clear to the initial users. This principle consists in the
definitions of a file name as "8-.-3". In this case the name of the file
contains up to eight signs and extension - up to three ones.
The concepts concerning usege of the graphics interface of the Windows
95 are very simplis. They are founded on our generally accepted representations
about operating documents on desktop.
Any executable file in the Windows 95 is named as the document. It
is possible to execute the main stages of creating, editing and reviewing
of documents by many methods with the help of traditional for the Windows
commands.
The necessary tools for editing documents of any format are automatically
selected by the operating system. For example, the standard programs, which
are used by default, are: the text editor Notepad or WordPad and the graphics
editor Paint. It is possible because any document has the extension.
For example, a document of the text editor Word has the doc extension and
the tabulared processor Excel has xls. The operating system "remembers"
the extension at installating programs which it will work in the future
with. In cases when the operating system does not find the necessary program
for handling the file, it interrogates the user with the help of the list
of the program. There exists the possibility of remembering of the link
“extension - program” for preventing further inquiry.
The user understands documents as different "papers". What is necessary
for operating them first of all? It’s necessary to organise everything
first. Documents or folders to arrange on a desktop in the most important
cases it is necessary. If the user has unnecessary documents or folders
it is necessary to use a basket for garbage.
The folders in Windows 95 are named directories which incorporate subdirectories
and applications. The folders are shaped as yellow icons outwardly resembling
a leather folder. The documents (represented as text, graphics and other
nonexecutable files) and application (represented as executable files)
can be inside folders. All of them are represented by badges (icons), i.e.
graphics images with appropriate subscripts.
The desktop is a basis of the user interface of the
Windows 95. The basic singularities of this interface can be expressed
by three items: simplicity, effectiveness and compatibility.
Simplicity means that both: a user - beginner and
a professional easily work with this interface. However, the interface
of the Windows 95 is oriented to the novice users in the primary aspect
and it is made intuitively guessed and outwardly simplis.
The effectiveness means, that the task of controlling
the system is difficultly found, which could not be executed by tools of
the user interface of the Windows 95. Moreover, the user can use the information
space of the computer, local and global computer nets with identical ease.
Thus between the tasks and by windows the simultaneous switchings are done
quickly and easily.
Finally compatibility means that application is
found difficultly, which cannot be started from Windows 95. They can be
new 32-bit applications which are oriented to Windows 3.1/3.11, 16-bit
applications or applications under MS-DOS.
The new graphic shell of the operating system has
no excesses, which are inherent in preceding versions of Windows.
A superfluous folders and other "things" which are
named as objects are not present on a desktop. It so-called “aims” the
user to serious work requiring accuracy and exactitude. Everything that
yet is necessary is hidden in folders and in windows of the various applications.
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Last modified: Dec, 01, 1998
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