1.5 Systems software Flashcards
Define systems software
Software that governs the computer system
2 kinds of systems software
Operating systems, utilities
5 features of operating systems
User interface, memory management / multitasking, peripheral management / drivers, user management, file management
4 types of interfaces to be considered
Graphical user interface, command line interface, natural language interface, menu interface
Explain GUI
WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers) interface.
Visual, interactive, intuitive, optimised for mouse and touch gesture input.
Explain CLI
Text based, less resource heavy compared to a GUI, more commands than a GUI, efficient for advanced users
Explain natural language interface
Responds to questions in spoken language, not always reliable, getting better all the time
Explain menu interface
Successive menus presented to the user, single options chosen at each stage, often with buttons on a keypad
Why do we need memory management and how does this allow multitasking?
One method of memory management is known as paging. Memory is broken up into fixed-size blocks, known as pages. Multitasking is the running of two or more set of instructions in one computer at the same time. It is only possible if the computer has enough primary memory to hold more than one program at the same time.
Why do we need peripheral management?
Peripherals are hardware devices connected to a computer to operate the peripheral, the operating system uses a program called a device driver, which tells the operating system how to understand the data coming from the device.
Why do we need user management?
They allow individual users to be created or deleted, access levels to be given to users and auditing of files that a user creates, accesses, edits and deletes.
Why do we need file management?
The operating system must identify where files are stored for long term storage. It needs to know the specific track, sector and surface address to accurately locate a file.
3 uses of utility system software
Encryption software, defragmentation, data compression
Function of encryption software
Disguises the contents of files so they can only be understood by authorised users.
Function of defragmentation
Defragmentation groups fragmented files back together so that they run contiguously. This decreases read/write time which speeds up computer performance.
