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computing > 1.2.2 > Flashcards

1.2.2 Flashcards

1
Q

nature of applications

A

There are too many types of application software to have detailed knowledge of all of them
have knowledge/experience of a range of common categories:
Word processor
Database
Web browser
Graphics manipulation
Based on a given scenario, you need to recommend (with justification) the use of:
Generic applications
Specific applications

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2
Q

hardware

A

physical parts of a computer system and related devices, internal or external
e.g. motherboards, hard drives, RAM, monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, etc…

definition & examples

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3
Q

software

definition & examples & 2 main types

A

Keep your computer safe and running efficiently
Provide you with useful tools to manage your files and applications
covers all computer programs most software falls into broad categories
such as: application, system and utility software.
main 2 branches are: system & application software

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4
Q

system software - 2 main branches

A

operating systems
utility software

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5
Q

operating systems - examples

A

Windows
Linux
macOS
iOS

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6
Q

utility software - examples

A

Antivirus
Defragmentation
Backup
Compression
Firewalls

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7
Q

application software - examples

A

Presentation
Word processor
Spreadsheet
Web browser
Communication
Email
Games
Apps
Multimedia
Photo editing
Video editing

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8
Q

utilities

A

file repair
backup
compression
defragmentation
anti-malware
file management
device drivers

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9
Q

utility - file repair

A

software that attempts to correct these issues and restore the file to its original working state

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10
Q

utility - backup

A

critical data being stored in a digital format, makes backing up important files essential
can be set up to be manual, automatic or scheduled

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11
Q

utility - data compression

A

reduces the size of a file so it takes up less space and downloads faster over the internet
Compressed files must be extracted before they can be read

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12
Q

utility - defragmentation

A

reorganises files on a hard disk, putting fragments of files and free space back together
reduces the movement of the read/write head across the surface of the disk, which speeds up file access
SSdrives should not be defragmented, as they have no moving parts

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13
Q

utility - anti malware

A

helps keep your computer and files safe from many types of malware including:
Viruses
Trojans
Worms
Spyware

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14
Q

open source

and example

A

Users can modify and distribute the software
Can be installed on any number of computers
Support provided by the community
Users have access to the source code
May not be fully tested

e.g. Linux OS

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15
Q

open source - pros

for the user and creator

A

user - Software is free
- Wide community modification
creator - Gets their software out there to a wider community

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16
Q

open source - cons

for the user and creator

A

user - Can be poorly supported
- Some features might not be well tested
creator - Little-to-no financial gain

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17
Q

closed source

and example

A

Protected by the Copyright Design and Patents Act
Users cannot modify the software
Usually paid for and licensed per user or per computer
Supported by developers who do not release source code
Tested by developer prior to release, although it may run beta programs
e.g. Windows

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18
Q

closed source - pros

for the user and creator

A

user - Well supported, tested and professional built product
creator - They receive an income for their product

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19
Q

closed source - cons

for the user and creator

A

user - Cost or ongoing subscription fee
creator - Constant demand from community for more features and improvements
- Piracy issues

20
Q

source code

A

high level language readable and writable by humans

21
Q

assembly code

A

low level language readable and writable by humans

22
Q

machine code

A

pure binary form of source code

23
Q

translators

A

turn source code into machine code
assemblers
compilers
interpreters

24
Q

assembler - description

A

Translates assembly language into machine code

Takes basic commands and operations from assembly code and converts them into binary code that can be recognised by a specific type of processor

The translation process is typically a one-to-one process from assembly code to machine code

25
Q

assembler - pros

A

Programs written in machine language can be replaced with mnemonics, which are easier to remember
Memory-efficient
Speed of execution is faster
Hardware-oriented
Requires fewer instructions to accomplish the same result

26
Q

assembler - cons

A

Long programs written in such languages cannot be executed on small computers
It takes lot of time to code or write the program, as it is more complex in nature
Difficult to remember the syntax
Lack of portability between computers of different makes

27
Q

complier - description

A

Translates source code from high-level languages into object code and then machine code to be processed by the CPU
The whole program is translated into machine code before it is run

28
Q

complier - pros

A

No need for translation at run-time
Speed of execution is faster
Code is usually optimised
Original source code is kept secret

29
Q

complier - cons

A

Source code is easier to write in a high-level language, but the program will not run with syntax errors, which can make it more difficult to write the code
Code needs to be recompiled when the code is changed
Designed for a specific type of processor

30
Q

interpreter- description

A

Translates source code from high-level languages into machine code, ready to be processed by the CPU
The program is translated line by line as the program is running

31
Q

interpreter- pros

A

Easy to write source code, as the program will always run, stopping when it finds a syntax error
Code does not need to be recompiled when code is changed
It is easy to try out commands when the program has paused after finding an error – this makes interpreted languages very easy for beginner programmers to learn to write code

32
Q

interpreter- cons

A

Translation software is required at run-time.
Speed of execution is slower
Code is not optimised
Source code is required

33
Q

stages of compliation

A

lexical analysis
syntax analysis
code generation
code optimisation

34
Q

compliation - lexical analysis

A

the lexer converts lexemes in the source code into tokens
the lexer reads the source code (scanning the code letter by letter)
it checks if the lexeme is valid using a set of rules that allow every lexeme to be identified

35
Q

compliation - syntax analysis

A

receives its inputs in the form of tokens from lexical analysers
analyses the syntactical structure of the input, checks if it is in the correct syntax of the programming language
by analysing the token stream against production rules to detect any errors in the code

Checks for errors and reports them
Building an abstract syntax tree (parse tree)

36
Q

compliation - code generation

A

Abstract code tree converted to object code.

Object code is the machine code produced before the final step (linker) is run.

37
Q

compliation - code optimisation

A

attempts to reduce the execution time of the program by:
Spotting redundant instructions and producing object code that achieves the same effect as the source program – but not necessarily by the same means.
Removing subroutines that are never called.
Removing variables and constants that are never referenced.

can considerably increase compilation time for a program

38
Q

linkers

A

responsible for putting the appropriate machine addresses in all the external call and return instructions so all modules and external library routines are linked together correctly.

It also links any separately compiled subroutines into the object code.

39
Q

linkers - 2 methods to pull libraries

A

static linking
dynamic linking

40
Q

linkers - static linking

A

All the required code from the libraries is included directly in the finished machine code

can result in large executable program files

41
Q

linkers - dynamic linking

A

Compiled versions of the required libraries are stored on the host computer.

The OS links the required code from the library as the program is running.

While this cuts down on the size of the compiled machine code, if the dynamic libraries change, the program may stop because it tries to call a subroutine in the wrong way.

42
Q

loaders

A

the part of the OS that loads the executable program file (machine code) into memory, ready to be run.

When using dynamic linking, it will also be responsible for loading the required libraries into memory.

43
Q

Libraries

A

Ready-compiled and tested programs that can be run when needed

44
Q

libraries - uses

A

typically grouped together into software libraries
Most programming languages have extensive libraries of pre-built functions
e.g. math library in Python provides common solutions to many everyday problems encountered by programmers who are dealing with numbers

45
Q

libraries - DLL

A

Dynamic Link Libraries

contain sub-routines written to carry out a common task on the Windows OS – e.g., Save As

the programmer only needs to do is call the appropriate DLL sub-routine with the correct parameters

46
Q

libraries - pros

A

Quick and easy to use and hook into your own code.
Pre-tested, so you can be relatively sure they are already free from errors.
Pre-compiled, so they are typically optimised to run quickly.

47
Q

libraries - cons

A

Adding functionality or making specific tweaks can be difficult – or impossible.
Sometimes you are “black-boxed” from the actual implementation.
You have to trust that the developers will continue to maintain the library.

computing (21 decks)

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