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 Using HP 3000 MPE/iX: Fundamental Skills Tutorial: HP 3000 MPE/iX Computer Systems > Chapter 3 Computer Overview

Lesson 2 Software
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Lesson 2 presents the computer software (programs).

  • the operating system

  • other programs on the system

  • the command interpreter

Software are the programs that control everything the computer does for you. The software makes the computer run and determines whether the computer acts as a text processor, graphic artist, office manager, or performs any of the hundreds of tasks that a computer can do for you.

Operating system

All computers come with special software called an operating system that oversees and directs the processing of all programs. The operating system for the HP 3000 family of computers is called multiprogramming executive (MPE).

  • MPE/iX is the operating system for the 900 Series HP 3000 computer systems, the system that you are working with, and the newest in the HP 3000 family of computers. The iX stands for integrated POSIX. That means that your computer system is able to work with many programs created for the UNIX[1] operating system, through an enhancement that Hewlett-Packard calls POSIX.

    [1]

  • The parent version of the operating system is called MPE V. It runs on earlier HP 3000 computer systems (Series 40 through 70).

    The V refers to the fifth major revision of the software.

Sample programs

Some of the types of programs that can run on the HP 3000 are briefly described here:

Electronic Mail

Permits users of one or many systems to send and receive messages online.

Word Processing

Permits users to create, edit, arrange, and print letters, memos, and other kinds of text that people deal with in their day-to-day work.

Data Processing

Permits users to store, retrieve, integrate, and manage vast amounts of information. Keeping and managing a payroll is one familiar sort of data processing. Data processing might also involve mathematical and statistical computations.

Form Creation

Putting information into the database is made easier if information is entered and retrieved by filling in standard forms on the terminal screen. There are programs just for designing the forms that are used in data entry.

Games

There are thousands of games that run on computers, and more are being created every day.

The command interpreter program

The command interpreter, or CI, is a special program whose primary purpose is to read what you enter on your terminal, determine whether you have entered a valid command, and determine what to do about it.

  • If you can log on, the CI is already at work, just waiting for you to issue commands.

  • The CI interprets your command and performs an action. If it can't carry out your command, it gives you a message to that effect.

  • Simple commands are executed when you type the command name and press Return.

  • Some commands, however, are more involved and require more from the user than just typing a command name and pressing Return.

Lesson 2 Exercises

  1. Name four types of user tasks that can be performed on a computer.

  2. What is MPE/iX? What do the letters MPE stand for?

  3. What does CI stand for?


[1] UNIX is a registered trademard of AT&T in the U.S.A. and in other countries.



Lesson 1 Computer Hardware
  		 


Lesson 3 The Keyboard  
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