1.5: SYSTEMS SOFTWARE Flashcards
What is system software?
-software that governs the computer system.
Two kinds of systems software to consider:
-operating systems
-utilities
What is an operating system? (2 MAIN POINTS)
-a suite of programs that manages and controls the computer.
Give an example of an operating system:
-Microsoft Windows
-Apple OS X
-Android
-IOS
What is a user interface?
a suite of programs that allows a user to interact with a computer.
List the 3 types of user interface:
-graphical user interface (GUI)
-mobile user interface (Mobile UI)
-command line interface (CLI)
Characteristics of GUIs and MUIs: A&D
-Applications represented by icons (and accessible through menus.)
-Users interact by using a mouse and on-screen pointer/ touch.
-powerful and easy to use, but require a lot of processing power.
Characteristics of CLIs: A&D
-text-based.
-Users control the computer by typing in commands.
-require little processing power and are extremely powerful, but are difficult to use
Explain why computers need an Operating System:
-proves an interface between software and hardware
-allows control of hardware
What is multi-tasking?
-Many multiple tasks/ instructions running at the same time.
Multi-tasking is only possible if: (2)
-the operating system can support multitasking
-the computer has enough memory to hold more than one program in primary memory at the same time
What does Memory management manage? and what does it ensure can happen?
-manages RAM (main memory)
-more than one program can run at the same time
-more than one document can be opened at the same time
what are the 5 functions of an operating system?
o User interface
o Memory management and multitasking
o Peripheral management and drivers
o User management
o File management
What are peripherals?
-hardware devices connected to a computer
How does the operating system operate a peripheral?
-uses a program called a device driver
What do device drivers contain?
-contains instructions on how to control an external device/ peripheral
Advantages of using device drivers:
-any device can be used with the operating system, as long as a driver is available for it
-drivers can be updated, usually to give better performance or to remove a bug
What is File management? and what does it do?
-program that OP uses to organise and keep track of files.
-keeps track of the exact sector of the hard drive the files are stored in
The file management software allows users to:
-create, modify and delete files and folders
-copy and duplicate files and folders
-move files and folders
-rename files and folders
-sort items into different orders, according to name, file type, date created and more
-search for particular files and folders
-restore deleted files
-set access rights to files such as read only or edit
Different types of utility software:
encryption software
defragmentation software
data compression software
firewall
What does an encryption software do?
-it disguises the contents of files so they can only be understood by authorised users
