1.5 – Systems software Flashcards
What are the two types of Systems Software?
1) Operating Systems
- Provides a platform users can run programs on
2) Utility Software
- Maintains a computer system
What is Application Software?
Designed to perform tasks to benefit the user
What is Utility Software?
Helps maintain a computer system
Provides additional funtionality to the OS
What is an Operating System?
Manages the computer processor, memory, peripherals, files, logins and user settings
Provides a user interface/platform users can run programs on
What are the 5 different Operating Systems?
- User Interface
- Memory Management & Multitasking
- Peripheral Management & Drivers
- User Management
- File Management
What are the different types of User Interfaces?
- Graphical User Interface (GUI)
- Command Line
- Menu
- Natural Language
Give an example of
a) GUI
b) Command Line
interfaces
a) Windows, iOS
b) Windows: Command Prompt
What does Memory Management do?
- When programs are loaded, the OS decides where they are held in memory
- Memory becomes fragmented as programs are loaded/closed because they use different amounts of memory
- The OS has to keep track of the different program fragments
It is The process of organising the computer’s main memory
What does the OS use when memory is full?
Virtual Memory
What is Virtual Memory?
Allows more programs to run than the physical memory available
What is Multitasking? How does it work?
- Running multiple applications at the same time
- Processor gives a small amount of time to each process and cycles between them
- These cycles happen so quickly it appears that multiple programs are being executed
- Only possible if there is enough RAM to hold more than one program in memory at once
Gives each program a slice of processor time
How can memory management allow for multitasking?
Programs are loaded from secondary storage into memory - then held in a queue
Program at the front of the queue runs its code
After a set amount of time, the program stops running and is moved to the back of the queue then next program runs its code
Cycle continues with new programs joining the back of the queue / completed programs leave the queue
What does a Device Driver do?
- Translates OS instructions into commands that the hardware will understand
- Every peripheral needs a device driver
What are the User Management functions?
Account Allocation:
- Allowing different users to log into a computer
- The OS retains settings for each user, like icons/backgrounds
Access Rights:
- Each user has different access rights to files/programs
How does the OS use User Management for multiple people on one computer?
Different usernames/passwords for each person
Individual settings for each user can be stored to personalise experience
Record can be kept of each users activity - helps maintain security
