1.2- Software

Question 1

API

Answer 1

Application Programming Interface: Interface between operating system and the programming language/ end user

Question 2

Assembler

Answer 2

A program that translates assembler code to machine code

Question 3

Compilers

Answer 3

Software that translates programming instructions written in high level language into standalone ‘exe files’ that can be run independently of the programming language or compiler

Question 4

High level programming language

Answer 4

Programming languages that are easier for humans to write and understand. Rely on extensive pre-written libraries to execute complex instructions with just a few lines of code

Question 5

Interpreters

Answer 5

Software that translates programming instructions into machine code one line at a time. Does not generate exe files. Programs written for interpreters can only run if interpreter (or a ‘runtime’ module of interpreter) is installed on computer

Question 6

Low level programming languages

Answer 6

Assembler type languages that typically use fewer commands, but more simple instructions to produce very fast and efficient code

Question 7

Machine code

Answer 7

Instructions in binary format (0’s and 1’s) that CPU can directly execute

Question 8

Multiprocessing

Answer 8

Type of processing that takes place when the operating system divides the programs/threads/processes between multiple CPUs (physical chips or cores)

Question 9

Multitasking

Answer 9

OS splits CPU time between multiple programs, so computer seems to be doing more than one task at a time

Question 10

Multithreading

Answer 10

Ability of OS to allow programs to split themselves into multiple tasks (or ‘threads’) that can be run at the same time

Question 11

Operating system

Answer 11

System software which controls all the activities that take place in computer

Question 12

Operating system for computers

Answer 12

Windows, OS X, Linux

Question 13

Operating system for mobile devices

Answer 13

iOS, Android, Windows RT, Windows Phone 8, Blackberry OS 10

Question 14

Process

Answer 14

Any sequence of instructions that can be executed by a CPU

Question 15

Process management

Answer 15

The task of making sure that each process gets enough CPU time and access to hardware resources so that it can work without interfering with or being interfered with by other processes

Question 16

Program

Answer 16

Set of instructions meant to accomplish a single task

Question 17

Thread

Answer 17

Part of a larger program that runs independently but simultaneously with other parts of the same program

Question 18

Virtual memory

Answer 18

Area of storage or disk space that the OS keeps for its own use

Question 19

Virtualisation

Answer 19

Creating an entity (memory, storage, machine etc) that exists only in software