1.5 Systems Software Flashcards
What is a user interface
Allows The user to interact with the hardware
Name the four types of user interface
Command line interface
Graphical user interface
Natural language interface
Menu driven interface
What are the features of a command line interface
Difficult to use but powerful and requires less processing power
What are the features of a graphical user interface
Uses windows, icons, menus and pointers
It is easy to use and intuitive
What are the features of the natural language interface
User voice to interact
Very intuitive but limited
What are the features of the menu driven interface
A series of limited menus are shown to the user
What is memory management
Allows multiple programs to open and run at the same time by time slicing - each program given a slice of time to run int the cpu but feels like they’re running at the same time as its very quick
Uses fragmentation to maximise space in memory - splitting a program or files so it can be placed intot eh free spaces in memory
What is a peripheral and driver
A piece of hardware attached to the device (keyboard)
Uses device driver software to communicate with internal hardware or peripherals attached to the device
Uses device driver to translate instructions so the hardware understands the task
What is user management
Can be single/multi user
Multi user - multiple accounts on one device
Each account has different access levels - own files, programs, settings and desktop
Users can’t see others
What is file management
Allows user to create, delete, rename and move files
Manages hard drive - where data is stored
File extension - let’s os know what applications are needed to open file
.jpeg - images
.mpeg - videos
.docx - documents
.xls - spreadsheet
What does the utility software do
Maintains the computer and useful utilities are installed with the operating system
Extra utility is installed for additional tasks
What does encryption software do
Scrambles data to stop third parties from being able to read and understand it so if data is intercepted when being sent across a network the hacker won’t be able to understand it
Public key - encrypts it
Private key - decrypts it
What is defragmentation
Files are stored on hard disk in available space
When files are created/deleted/moved small gaps appear
The os fragments files to make them fit
Makes reading/writing slow
Defragmentation reorganises files back together
Defragmenting SSD can reduce its life span
What is data compression
Reduces file size to allow more files to be stored and downloaded faster
Lossy - permanently deletes unnecessary data, file can’t be restored, images, significantly reduces size, worse quality
Lossless - uses algorithm to compress files, can be restored, texts, doesn’t reduce file size as much, better quality
What 5 things does a operating system do
User interface, file/memory/user management and peripherals/drivers
What 4 things does the utility software do
Backup
Defragmentation
Encryption
Data compression
