System software Flashcards

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1
Q

Two roles of the OS

A

Hide complexities of hardware from user
And to manage resources that processes compete for

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2
Q

How does the OS achieve these two goals

A

Acts as an interface between user and computer
Provide a virtual machine
Provide a platform which application software can run on

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3
Q

What are the 3 types of interfaces

A

Command line interface (cmd) - text based to view and manage computer files
Graphical user interface (GUI) - Form of user interface that allows users to interact with graphical icons and audio indicators
Application Programming Interfaces (API) - Layers of software that allow application programmers to call on services of operating system

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4
Q

Define processors

A

A processor is integrated electronic circuit that performs calculations that run a computer.

Processors does arithmetical, logical, I/O and other basic instructions passed from OS.

Most processes are dependent on operations of a processor.

Processes can appear to be running at same time, but (if only one processor) only one will be running at once.

One role of OS is to allocate processor time to each processes

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5
Q

Define I/O manager

A

Manages device drivers for input/output devices

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6
Q

How does the OS handle memory

A

OS keeps track of memory being used by which process

Each of the processes use groups of locations that are not contiguous

OS hides complexity as application programs and user do not need to know where in main memory program data and instructions is found

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7
Q

Define Storage

A

Uses a file manager that keeps directory of where files are stored as well as manages the file structure

Files are stored in clusters of blocks, spread through the disk. When we need to load the file the file manager collects the relevant clusters so the whole file can be loaded into the memory.

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8
Q

Define software key terms:
Software
Application software
System software

A

Software: General term for programs we run on our computer

Application software: Programs user can use to complete a specific task E.g. Chrome, Spotify

System software: Range of programs that deal with the more technical aspects of setting up and running a computer E.g. Defragmentation, Anti-virus

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9
Q

Define system software key terms:
Library programs
Operating System
Utility programs
Translators

A

Library programs: Common tasks such as file maintenance and can be built into other programs

Operating systems: Programs designed to control operations of a computer

Utility programs: Cover software designed for housekeeping on your computer

Translators: Software that converts programming language instructions into 1 and 0

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