1.2.1 - Systems Software Flashcards
What does an Operating system (OS) do?
Software that manages computers and allows humans to use them.
What does backing-store-management do?
Allocates and tracks data on secondary storage
What is the role of a Driver?
Allows a computer system to interface with new hardware
What does memory management do?
Allocates tracks and deletes data on primary memory.
What is a Physical-Location?
A register on a hardware device
What is a Logical-Location?
A position in an algorithm or process
What is segmentation?
Dividing memory logically according to program needs
What is an Interrupt?
A signal to the CPU to change the process it is completing.
What is processor scheduling?
Assigning different tasks to a CPU at different times to give the appearance of multi tasking.
What is the BIOS?
Basic input output system. Initialises system hardware and loads the operating system
What is Virtual Memory?
An area of secondary memory used to expand primary memory.
Key notes of virtual memory
Used when primary memory is full; Pages form primary memory are moved to secondary memory to create space; When they are needed they are copied back to primary memory possibly requiring other pages to be moved.
What is the Interrupt Process?
Interrupt signal received. Stores values of registers for current task. Completes interrupt service routine. Restores previous task
3 types of Interrupts
Power failure. Clock (scheduled interrupt). Input/output requests.
