Computer Concepts and Applications – Operating Systems and Windows

Computer Concepts and Applications – Operating Systems and Windows

• 2 .Basics Of Operating System

2.1 Definition of Operating System:

“An Operating system is a program that controls the execution of application programs and acts as an interface between the user of a computer and the computer hardware.” A more common definition is that the operating system is the one program running at all times on the computer (usually called the kernel), with all else being applications programs.

An Operating system is concerned with the allocation of resources and services, such as memory, processors, devices and information. The Operating System correspondingly includes programs to manage these resources, such as a traffic controller, a scheduler, memory management module, I/O programs, and a file system. 2.2 Types Of Operating Systems:

Operating systems are there from the very first computer generation. Operating systems keep evolving over the period of time.

Following are few of the important types of operating system which are most commonly used.

1)Batch Operating System

The users of batch operating system do not interact with the computer directly. Each user prepares his job on an off-line device like punch cards and submits it to the computer operator. To speed up processing, jobs with similar needs are batched together and run as a group. Thus, the programmers left their programs with the operator. The operator then sorts programs into batches with similar requirements.

• The problems with Batch Systems are following.
• Lack of interaction between the user and job.
• CPU is often idle, because the speeds of the mechanical I/O devices are slower than CPU.
• Difficult to provide the desired priority.

2)Time Sharing Operating System

Time sharing is a technique which enables many people, located at various terminals, to use a particular computer system at the same time. Time-sharing or multitasking is a logical extension of multiprogramming. Processor's time which is shared among multiple users simultaneously is termed as time-sharing. The main difference between Multiprogrammed Batch Systems and Time-Sharing Systems is that in case of multiprogrammed batch systems, objective is to maximize processor use, whereas in Time-Sharing Systems objective is to minimize response time.

Multiple jobs are executed by the CPU by switching between them, but the switches occur so frequently. Thus, the user can receive an immediate response. For example, in a transaction processing, processor execute each user program in a short burst or quantum of computation. That is if n users are present, each user can get time quantum. When the user submits the command, the response time is in few seconds at most.

Operating system uses CPU scheduling and multiprogramming to provide each user with a small portion of a time. Computer systems that were designed primarily as batch systems have been modified to time-sharing systems.

• Advantages of Timesharing operating systems are following
• Provide advantage of quick response.
• Avoids duplication of software.
• Reduces CPU idle time.
• Disadvantages of Timesharing operating systems are following.
• Problem of reliability.
• Question of security and integrity of user programs and data.
• Problem of data communication.

3)Distributed Operating System

Distributed systems use multiple central processors to serve multiple real time application and multiple users. Data processing jobs are distributed among the processors accordingly to which one can perform each job most efficiently.

The processors communicate with one another through various communication lines (such as high-speed buses or telephone lines). These are referred as loosely coupled systems or distributed systems. Processors in a distributed system may vary in size and function. These processors are referred as sites, nodes, and computers and so on.

The advantages of distributed systems are following.

With resource sharing facility user at one site may be able to use the resources available at another.

Speedup the exchange of data with one another via electronic mail.

If one site fails in a distributed system, the remaining sites can potentially continue operating.

• Better service to the customers.
• Reduction of the load on the host computer.
• Reduction of delays in data processing.

4)Network Operating System

Network Operating System runs on a server and and provides server the capability to manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other networking functions. The primary purpose of the network operating system is to allow shared file and printer access among multiple computers in a network, typically a local area network (LAN), a private network or to other networks. Examples of network operating systems are Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, and BSD.

• The advantages of network operating systems are following.
• Centralized servers are highly stable.
• Security is server managed.
• Upgrades to new technologies and hardware can be easily integrated into the system.
• Remote access to servers is possible from different locations and types of systems.
• The disadvantages of network operating systems are following.
• High cost of buying and running a server.
• Dependency on a central location for most operations.
• Regular maintenance and updates are required.

5)Real time Operating System

Real time system is defines as a data processing system in which the time interval required to process and respond to inputs is so small that it controls the environment. Real time processing is always on line whereas on line system need not be real time. The time taken by the system to respond to an input and display of required updated information is termed as response time. So in this method response time is very less as compared to the online processing.

Real-time systems are used when there are rigid time requirements on the operation of a processor or the flow of data and real-time systems can be used as a control device in a dedicated application. Real-time operating system has well-defined, fixed time constraints otherwise system will fail. For example Scientific experiments, medical imaging systems, industrial control systems, weapon systems, robots, and home-appliance controllers, Air traffic control system etc.

• There are two types of real-time operating systems.

Hard real-time systems

Hard real-time systems guarantee that critical tasks complete on time. In hard real-time systems secondary storage is limited or missing with data stored in ROM. In these systems virtual memory is almost never found.

Soft real-time systems

Soft real time systems are less restrictive. Critical real-time task gets priority over other tasks and retains the priority until it completes. Soft real-time systems have limited utility than hard real-time systems. For example, Multimedia, virtual reality, Advanced Scientific Projects like undersea exploration and planetary rovers etc.

• 2.3 Functions of an Operating System:

Following are some of important functions of an operating System

Memory Management

Processor Management

Device Management

File Management

• Security
• Control over system performance
• Job accounting
• Error detecting aids
• Coordination between other software and users
• Memory Management

Memory management refers to management of Primary Memory or Main Memory. Main memory is a large array of words or bytes where each word or byte has its own address. Main memory provides a fast storage that can be access directly by the CPU. So for a program to be executed, it must in the main memory. Operating System does the following activities for memory management.

Keeps tracks of primary memory i.e. what part of it are in use by whom, what part are not in use.

• In multiprogramming, OS decides which process will get memory when and how much.

Allocates the memory when the process requests it to do so.

De-allocates the memory when the process no longer needs it or has been terminated. 2) Processor Management In multiprogramming environment, OS decides which process gets the processor when and how much time. This function is called process scheduling. Operating System does the following activities for processor management.

Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. Program responsible for this task is known as traffic controller.

• Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process.
• De-allocates processor when processor is no longer required.
• Device Management

OS manages device communication via their respective drivers. Operating System does the following activities for device management.

Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for this task is known as the I/O controller.

• Decides which process gets the device when and for how much time.
• Allocates the device in the efficient way.
• De-allocates devices.

4)File Management

A file system is normally organized into directories for easy navigation and usage. These directories may contain files and other directions. Operating System does the following activities for file management.

Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc. The collective facilities are often known as file system.

• Decides who gets the resources.
• Allocates the resources.
• De-allocates the resources
• 5)Other Important Activities

Following are some of the important activities that Operating System does.

Security — By means of password and similar other techniques, preventing unauthorized access to programs and data.

Control over system performance — Recording delays between request for a service and response from the system.

Job accounting — Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and users.

Error detecting aids — Production of dumps, traces, error messages and other debugging and error detecting aids.

Coordination between other software and users — Coordination and assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the various users of the computer systems.

2.4 Working With Windows Operating System

The Desktop :

The desktop is the main screen area that you see after you turn on your computer and log on to Windows. When you open programs or folders, they appear on the desktop. You can also put things on the desktop, such as files and folders, and arrange them as you want.

Working with desktop icons

Icons are small pictures that represent files, folders, programs, and other items. When you first start Windows, you'll see at least one icon on your desktop: The Recycle Bin. Some examples of desktop icons are shown in picture.

• Double-clicking a desktop icon starts or opens the item it represents.

Adding and removing icons from the desktop You can choose which icons appear on the desktop—you can add or remove an icon at any time. If you want easy access from the desktop to your favorite files or programs, you can create shortcuts to them. A shortcut is an icon that represents a link to an item, rather than the item itself. When you double-click a shortcut, the item opens. If you delete a shortcut, only the shortcut is removed, not the original item. You can identify shortcuts by the arrow on their icon.

Common desktop icons include Computer, your personal folder, the Recycle Bin, and Control Panel.

• Right-click an empty area of the desktop, and then click Personalize.

In the left pane, click Change desktop icons.

Under Desktop icons, select the check box for each icon that you want to add to the desktop, or clear the check box for each icon that you want to remove from the desktop, and then click OK.

Moving icons around

Windows stacks icons in columns on the left side of the desktop. But you're not stuck with that arrangement. You can move an icon by dragging it to a new place on the desktop.

You can also have Windows automatically arrange your icons. Right-click an empty area of the desktop, click View, and then clickAuto arrange icons. Windows stacks your icons in the upper-left corner and locks them in place. To unlock the icons so that you can move them again, click Auto arrange icons again, clearing the check mark next to it.

Selecting multiple icons

To move or delete a bunch of icons at once, you must first select all of them. Click an empty area of the desktop and drag the mouse. Surround the icons that you want to select with the rectangle that appears. Then release the mouse button. Now you can drag the icons as a group or delete them.

Hiding desktop icons

If you want to temporarily hide all of your desktop icons without removing them, right-click an empty part of the desktop, click View, and then click Show desktop icons to clear the check mark from that option. Now no icons are displayed on the desktop. You can get them back by clicking Show desktop icons again.

Windows Explorer:

Windows Explorer is the file management application in windows. Windows explorer can be used to navigate your hard drive and display the contents of the folders and subfolders you use to organize your files on your hard drive. Windows Explorer is automatically launched any time you open a folder in windows XP.

The Recycle Bin

When you delete a file or folder, it doesn't actually get deleted,it goes to the Recycle Bin. That's a good thing, because if you want that deleted file, you can get it back.

If you won't need the deleted items again, you can empty the Recycle Bin. Doing that will permanently delete the items and reclaim any disk space they were using.

Start Menu:

The Start menu is the main gateway to your computer's programs, folders, and settings. It's called a menu because it provides a list of choices.

• Use the Start menu to do these common activities:
• Start programs
• Open commonly used folders

• Adjust computer settings

• Turn off the computer
• Log off from Windows or switch to a different user account.

Getting started with the Start menu

To open the Start menu, click the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen. Or, press the Windows logo key on your keyboard. The Start menu has three basic parts:

The large left pane shows a short list of programs on your computer. Clicking All Programs displays a complete list of programs.

At the bottom of the left pane is the search box, which allows you to look for programs and files on your computer by typing in search terms.

The right pane provides access to commonly used folders, files, settings, and features. It's also where you go to log off from Windows or turn off your computer.

Opening programs from the Start menu Start menu is used to open programs installed on your computer. To open a program in the left pane of the Start menu, click it.

• Clicking All Programs, The left pane displays a long list of programs.

Clicking one of the program icons starts the program, and the Start menu closes.

Move the pointer over its icon or name, a box appears that contains a description of the program.

The search box

The search box is one of the most convenient ways to find things on your computer. The exact location of the items doesn't matter. It will also search your e-mail messages, saved instant messages, appointments, and contacts.

To use the search box, open the Start menu and start typing. You don't need to click inside the box first. As you type, the search results appear above the search box in the left pane of the Start menu.

• A program, file, or folder will appear as a search result if:
• Any word in its title matches or begins with your search term.

Any text in the actual contents of the file matches or begins with your search term.

Any word in a property of the file, such as the author, matches or begins with your search term.

Click any search result to open it. Or, click the Clear button to clear the search results and return to the main programs list. You can also click See more results to search your entire computer.

Search box also searches your Internet favorites and the history of websites you've visited. If any of these webpages include the search term, they appear under a heading called "Files." The right pane includes

Personal folder. This folder, in turn, contains user-specific files, including the My Documents, My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos folders.

Documents. Opens the Documents library, where you can access & open text files, spreadsheets, etc.

Pictures. Opens the Pictures library, where you can access and view digital pictures and graphics files.

Music. Opens the Music library, where you can access and play music and other audio files.

Games. Opens the Games folder, where you can access all of the games on your computer.

Computer. Opens a window where you can access disk drives, cameras, printers, scanners, and other hardware connected to your computer.

Control Panel. Opens Control Panel, where you can customize the appearance and functionality of your computer, install or uninstall programs, set up network connections, and manage user accounts.

Devices and Printers. Opens a window where you can view information about the printer, mouse, and other devices installed on your computer.

Default Programs. Opens a window where you can choose which program you want Windows to use for activities such as web browsing.

Help and Support. Opens Windows Help and Support, where you can browse and search Help topics about using Windows and your computer.

At the bottom of the right pane is the Shut down button. Click the Shut down button to turn off your computer. Clicking the arrow next to the Shut down button displays a menu with additional options for switching users, logging off, restarting, or shutting down.

Taskbar:

The taskbar is the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen. It has three main sections:

The Start button , which opens the Start menu.

The middle section, which shows you which programs & files you have open & allows you to quickly switch between them.

The notification area, which includes a clock and icons (small pictures) that communicate the status of certain programs and computer settings.

Keep track of your windows

If you open one or more program/file at a time, it's hard to see what else is what you've already opened.

Whenever you open a program, folder, or file, Windows creates a corresponding button on the taskbar.

The button shows an icon that represents the open program. In the picture below, two programs are open—Calculator and Minesweeper—and each has its own button on the taskbar. It also highlights the icon whose window is active. Click a taskbar button to switch to that window The notification area

The notification area, at the right of the taskbar, includes a clock and a group of icons. These icons communicate the status of something on your computer or provide access to certain settings.

When you move your pointer to a particular icon, you will see that icon's name or the status of a setting. Double-clicking an icon in the notification area usually opens the program or setting associated with it. For example, double-clicking the volume icon opens the volume controls.

Windows hides icons in the notification area when you haven't used them in a while. If icons become hidden, click the Show hidden icons button to temporarily display the hidden icons.

• Click the Show hidden icons button to display all icons in the notification area

Using menus, buttons, bars, and boxes Menus, buttons, scroll bars, and check boxes are examples of controls that you operate with your mouse or keyboard. These controls allow you to select commands, change settings, or work with windows.

Menus:

Most programs contain hundreds of commands that you use to work the program. Many of these commands are organized under menus. A program menu shows you a list of choices. To choose one of the commands listed in a menu, click it. Sometimes menus show submenus.

Recognizing menus isn't always easy, because not all menu controls look same or even appear on a menu bar. When you see an arrow next to a word or picture, you're probably looking at a menu control.

Scroll bars

When a document, webpage, or picture exceeds the size of its window, scroll bars appear to allow you to see the information that is currently out of view. The following picture shows the parts of a scroll bar.

To use a scroll bar:

Click the up or down scroll arrows to scroll the window's contents up or down in small steps. Hold down the mouse button to scroll continuously.

Click an empty area of a scroll bar above or below the scroll box to scroll up or down one page.

• Drag a scroll box up, down, left, or right to scroll the window in that direction.

Command buttons

Outside of dialog boxes, command buttons vary in appearance.

If a button changes into two parts when you point to it, you've discovered a split button. Clicking the main part of the button performs a command, whereas clicking the arrow opens a menu with more options.

Option buttons

allow you to make one choice among two or more options. They frequently appear in dialog boxes. The following picture shows two option buttons. The "Color" option is selected.

Check boxes

Check boxes allow you to choose multiple options at the same time. Click an empty check box to select that option To use check boxes:

Click an empty square to select that option. A check mark will appear in the square, indicating that the option is selected.

• To turn off an option, clear (remove) its check mark by clicking it.
• Options that currently can't be selected or cleared are shown in gray.

Sliders :

A slider lets you adjust a setting along a range of values. To use a slider, drag the slider toward the value that you want.

A slider along the bar shows the currently selected value. In the example shown above, the slider is positioned midway between Slow and Fast, indicating a medium pointer speed.

Text boxes:

A text box allows you to type information, such as a search term or password. The following picture shows a dialog box containing a text box. We've entered "bear" into the text box.

Text boxes that require you to enter a password will usually hide your password as you type it, in case someone else is looking at your screen.

Drop-down lists:

Drop-down lists are similar to menus. Instead of clicking a command, though, you choose an option. When closed, a drop-down list shows only the currently selected option. The other available options are hidden until you click the control, as shown below.

• To open a drop-down list, click it. To choose an option from the list, click the option.

List boxes:

A list box displays a list of options that you can choose from. Unlike a drop-down list, some or all of the options are visible without having to open the list.

To choose an option from the list, click it. If the option you want isn't visible, use the scroll bar to scroll the list up or down. If the list box has a text box above it, you can type the name or value of the option instead.

Tabs :

In some dialog boxes, options are divided into two or more tabs. Only one tab, or set of options, can be viewed at a time. The currently selected tab appears in front of the other tabs. To switch to a different tab, click the tab.

Whenever you open a program, file, or folder, it appears on your screen in a box or frame called a window.

Parts of a window

Although the contents of every window are different, all windows share some things in common. For one thing, windows always appear on the desktop—the main work area of your screen. In addition, most windows have the same basic parts.

• Parts of a typical window

Title bar. Displays the name of the document and program Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons. These buttons hide the window, enlarge it to fill the whole screen, and close it, respectively Menu bar. Contains items that you can click to make choices in a program.

Scroll bar. Lets you scroll the contents of the window to see information that is currently out of view.

Borders and corners. You can drag these with your mouse pointer to change the size of the window.

• Changing the size of a window

To return a maximized window to its former size, click its Restore button or, double-click the window's titlebar.

To resize a window (make it smaller or bigger), point to any of the window's borders or corners. When the mouse pointer changes to a two-headed arrow (as in picture), drag the border or corner to shrink/enlarge the window.

• Drag a window's border or corner to resize it.

Minimizing a window:

To minimize a window, click its Minimize button . The window disappears from the desktop and is visible only as a button on the taskbar, the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen.

To make a minimized window appear again on the desktop, click its taskbar button. The window appears exactly as it did before you minimized it.

Closing a window

Closing a window removes it from the desktop and taskbar. To close a window, click its Close button .

The taskbar provides a way to organize all of your windows. Each window has a corresponding button on the taskbar. To switch to another window, just click its taskbar button. The window appears in front of all other windows, becoming the active window—the one you're currently working in.

To easily identify a window, point to its taskbar button.

When you point to a taskbar button, you'll see a thumbnail-sized preview of the window. This preview is especially useful if you can't identify a window by its title alone.

Dialog boxes:

A dialog box is a special type of window that asks you a question, allows you to select options to perform a task, or provides you with information. Most dialog boxes can't be maximized, minimized, or resized. They can be moved.

Working with files and folders

A file is an item that contains information. On your computer, files are represented with icons; this makes it easy to recognize a type of file by looking at its icon. Here are some common file icons:

Understanding the parts of a window

When you open a folder or library, you see it in a window. The various parts of this window are designed to help you navigate around Windows or work with files, folders, and libraries more easily. Here's a typical window and each of its parts:

Viewing and arranging files and folders When you open a folder or library, you can change how the files look in the window. For example, you might prefer larger (or smaller) icons or a view that lets you see different kinds of information about each file. To make these kinds of changes, use the Views button in the toolbar.

Each time you click the left side of the Views button, it changes the way your files and folders are displayed by cycling through five different views: Large Icons, List, a view called Details that shows several columns of information about the file, a smaller icon view called Tiles, and a view called Content that shows some of the content from within the file.

Windows Applications – Notepad, WordPad, Paint ,Calculator.

Start/Accessories menu is used to access convenient tools (application programs) included in Windows XP that can be used to perform many everyday tasks.

Notepad

Notepad is a text editor, which is a program similar to a word processor but cannot perform any special editing. No embedded codes are inserted into the document. Text files also called: unformatted text files and ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange).

• With Notepad, you can:
• Create simple text documents
• Multi-tasking/create/edit batch files
• Print a file
• Formatting with Page Setup and Printing in Notepad
• To print a Notepad document, you can locate the document with Explorer or My Computer.
• Open the file. Print file by using:
• File/Print command from the menu bar.
• Select Print from the shortcut menu that comes up when you right-click the file.
• Can also drag and drop to a printer shortcut.

You can also open Notepad first and then open the document from Notepad’s File/Open command. Once the document is opened you can print it. Advantage of opening Notepad prior to locating file:

• Can apply page formatting before you print.
• Can add a header or footer.
• Can adjust the margins.
• Features of Notepad:

Notepad has minimal editing features.

Notepad has word wrap which prevents text from running over into the margins and automatically moves text to the next line.

• Used to create/save/open/edit file.
• Can create time log.
• Within Notepad – cut, copy, and paste text.
• Copy data to Notepad from other files.
• Copy Notepad text to other word processing text or database document.
• WordPad
• WordPad is a simple word processor.
• WordPad allows simple formatting:
• Change fonts.
• Character level formatting.
• Margins can be changed/created.
• Insert bulleted charts/graphic and sound files.

Has menu bar and toolbar.

WordPad lacks the powerful features of other word processors such as creating columns, tables, and spell checking.

You do not need to press <Enter> when you reach the right margin. Word processors will move to the next line automatically. This is called a soft return. The only time you need to press <Enter> is to create a new paragraph. This is called a hard return.

Paragraphs:

Traditional English style paragraph includes a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. Indented by one tab.

A paragraph, in word processing terms, is all the text between paragraph marks (¶). It can be one character, one page, or several pages of text.

• To indent a paragraph you use the <Tab> key.

Title bar/Name of document first (docucentric approach)

Menu Bar

• Toolbar

Format Bar

Document Ruler

Selection Bar: unmarked column along left edge of document window.

Insertion Point: is where you begin keying in text. 2 modes – Insert mode (Default) and Typeover -Press Insert to toggle between modes.

• Status Bar: tells you the status of the document.

WordPad and Microsoft Word both claim .RTF extension.

Rich text format (RTF) allows the exchange of text files between different word processors in different OS.

Problems can occur when any registered file extension is claimed by more than one program. The default extension for WordPad documents is .doc. This extension is also used by Word for Windows, so if Word is installed, a document you create in WordPad might not open with WordPad when you double-click it.

• Editing a Document in WordPad

To edit text you need to move the insertion point to the correct position.

You can move the insertion point with either the mouse or the keyboard. The keyboard is usually used for keying in data. The mouse is usually used for editing.

There are several key combinations that can be used to quickly move the insertion point. The Format Toolbar offers shortcuts to menu commands.

Formatting Paragraphs and Using Tabs :

You can change paragraph alignment so that it is left-justified, centered, or right-justified. Left-aligned or left-justified means that the selected paragraph(s) will line up on the left margin. Right-aligned or right-justified means that the selected paragraph(s) will line up on the right margin.

Centered means that each line in the paragraph(s) will be centered between the left and right margins.

The first line of a paragraph can be indented by pressing the <Tab> key. The <Tab> key moves the first line a preset number of spaces from the left margin.

Printing and Page Setup in WordPad

You can use the same techniques to print a document from WordPad that you used to print a document from Notepad.

In WordPad, the only formatting that you can apply to the document (Page Setup) is to alter the margins.

• Headers and Footers are not supported

Paint

Paint is a graphics application program used to create drawings or images. Can only create/edit bitmap graphics (.bmp) Bitmap Graphics:

• Screen divided into pixels (pels)
• Drawing = turning pixels on or off in different colors
• Detailed
• Take up lots of disk space

Resolution is fixed

If installed programs (such as Office) have correct graphic filters, Paint can read TIFF, JPEG, GIF, PCX, Targa and Kodak Photo CD files. Save Paint files in GIF and JPEG format.

Images created can stand alone or be copied to other documents. Graphics files are identified by file extensions.

Paint Window

The Paint window has many components, some are common to all windows programs, others are not.

• Menu Bar – location of choices consistent:
• Choices available depend on program’s purpose.
• Paint choices different than word processing – task different.
• New choice – Image.

Tool Box – is actually a toolbar that you select your drawing tools from.

Below the Tool Box is an area called the Tool Options box where the options available for the selected tool are displayed.

Color Box – contains the colors you can use in Paint. The foreground color is the color you draw with. The background color is the color of your drawing area.

Drawing area – is like a canvas and is the area where you draw. Default drawing tool – pencil. Cursor assumes shape of selected drawing tool.

The Tools:

• Free-Form Select – Selects a free form cutout in a drawing.
• Select – Selects a rectangular cutout.
• Erase/Color Eraser – Changes the foreground color to the background color.

Fill With Color – Fills a bordered area with the selected foreground color.

Pick Color – Picks a color in your drawing and uses it as your foreground color or background color.

• Magnifier – Magnifies a selected area.
• Pencil – Creates a free-form line.
• Brush – Draws a free-form brush stroke.
• Airbrush – Creates a spray can effect.
• Text – Places text in the drawing.
• Line – Draws a straight line.
• Curve – Draws a straight line, then curves it.
• Rectangle – Creates a rectangle or square.
• Polygon – Draws a shape with an unlimited number of sides.
• Ellipse – Creates a circle or ellipse.

Rounded Rectangle – Creates a round-cornered rectangle or square.

Fill Styles:

When you select a shape tool, three choices appear in the Tool Options area. Each of these choices is a fill style.

• The effect of each of the fill styles depends on the mouse button used to draw the shape.
• Using the Left mouse button:

Top: Outline in foreground color. No fill color.

Middle: Outline in foreground color. Fill in background color. Bottom: Solid shape in background color. Has no outline.

• Using the Right mouse button:

Top: Outline in background color. No fill color.

Middle: Outline in background color. Fill in foreground color. Bottom: solid shape in foreground color. Has no outline.

Picture Characteristics

• Paint used to view existing picture.
• Paint can be used to create a new picture.
• Standard settings for new picture.
• Creates picture with default settings.

You can change these default settings.

The Shape Tools

The Shape tools let you work with pre-defined shapes unlike the free-form tools.

Shape tools include Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, and Rounded Rectangle. Less color means a smaller file.

• Importing and Exporting Graphics
• To import is to bring a drawing into your picture from a graphic file.

To export is to save to file a graphic image.

Clip art is a collection of many, usually small, images that you can add to your graphics.

• Clip art can be purchased.
• Can alter clip art and save it as new drawing.
• Using Text and Other Pictures in a
• Drawing
• You can also add text to your pictures.
• You can choose different fonts and styles for your text line in a word processor.
• Characters from the font Wingdings can be imported to add pictures to your drawing.
• Printing in Paint

You can print any picture that you create or view in Paint.

Graphics take much longer to print than text and the quality of the printout will depend on the quality of the printer.

• If the printer is not a color printer, the picture will print in shades of gray.
• Using Drawings as Background
• Any drawing you create in Paint can be used as desktop background.
• Using Windows XP Calculator

Like a calculator you keep in a desk drawer, the Windows Calculator is small but saves you time by performing all the calculations common to a standard calculator.

The Standard Windows Calculator, works so much like a pocket calculator that you need little help getting started.

To display the Calculator, open the Start menu and choose Programs, Accessories, Calculator. The Calculator opens in the same view (Standard or Scientific) in which it was displayed the last time it was used.

To close the Calculator, click the Close button in the title bar. If you use the Calculator frequently, however, don't close it; click the Minimize button to minimize the Calculator to a button on the taskbar.

The Calculator has only three menus: Edit, View, and Help. The Edit menu contains two simple commands for copying and pasting; the View menu switches between the Standard and Scientific views; and the Help menu is the same as in all Windows accessories.

2.Operating the Calculator

To use the Calculator with the mouse, just click the appropriate numbers and sign keys, like you would press buttons on a desk calculator. Numbers appear in the display window as you select them, and the results appear after the calculations are performed. To enter numbers from the keyboard, use either the numbers across the top of the keyboard or those on the numeric keypad (you must first press the NumLock key if the NumLock feature is not enabled). To calculate, press the keys on the keyboard that match the Calculator keys.