Wednesday, 30 November 2011

What is PING 127.0.0.1 and why was it chosen as the name for the company?

The name PING 127.0.0.1 is derived from the computer command PING. In brief, PING is a command that is used on computer networks to verify connections to other computers. For a complete rundown of what PING is, please goto The Ping Page. A computer on the network is identified by what is known as an IP address, which consists of four numbers separated by dots, such as 127.0.0.1. However, there is one address that cannot be used by any computer in the world, and that address is 127.0.0.1. The reason is that this address has been reserved as what is known as the loopback address. A loopback address is an address that tells the computer not to test its connections to another computer, but to test its own basic network setup. (From: Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia) 127.0.0.1 is a Class A Address. (From: Linux Documentation Project) The reason it was chosen as our company name is because PING is a really cool command and secondly, the address 127.0.0.1 is known throughout the world as the test loopback address, making it unique. The two traits of coolness and uniqueness were ones that our company possesses, so it was felt that the company should have a name that reflects this.

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Functions Of Operating System



Operating system functions
To act as interface between hardware and users, an operating system must be able perform the following functions:
1. Enabling startup application programs. Thus, the operating system must have:
- A text editor
- A translator
- An editor of links
2. The allocation of resources needed to execute programs is done by identifying: the programs that are running, the need for memory, peripheral devices and data protection requirements.
3. Facilities for data compression, sorting, mixing, cataloging and maintenance of libraries, through utility programs available.
4. Plan implementation works according to certain criteria, for efficient use of central processing unit.
5. Assisting implementation of programs through computer-user communication system, at both hardware and software level.