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AWard GCSE Computer Science > 1.6 System Software (OS) > Flashcards

1.6 System Software (OS) Flashcards

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1
Q

What is system software

A

It is a type of software that controls the computer hardrive.
It provides an interface between the user of the computer and the hardware.

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2
Q

What are the six functions of the operating system

A

Communicates with internal and external hardware via device drivers
provides a user interface
provides a platform for applications to run on
allows the computer to multi task by controlling memory resources and CPU
deal with file management and disk management
manage the security of the system

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3
Q

What is an operating system

A

complex piece of software found on most computer systems

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4
Q

What does CLI stand for

A

Command line interface

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5
Q

What does GUI stand for

A

Graphical user interface

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6
Q

What is a CLI

A

Text based. The user has to enter specific command words to complete tasks

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7
Q

GUIs are WIMP based. What does it stand for

A

Windows Icons Menu Pointers

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8
Q

Key differences between GUI and CLI

A

CLI can be used on low resource equipment but GUI is very resource heavy (because of all the icons and menus).
CLI is much harder to understand as you have to memorise all the commands but GUI is icon based.

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9
Q

Identify two benefits of using CLI instead of GUI

A

CLI gives greater control than GUI

They are less resource heavy than GUI

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10
Q

How does the OS allow multi-tasking by managing resources

A

By giving the processor a small time slice for each task that means that all tasks appear to be executing at the same time.
to the user it appears that we can multi task and have lots of programs open at once
in reality resources such as memory and the processor are being shared amongst tasks

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11
Q

What is the most common type of memory

A

RAM (volatile) It stores currently used data and instructions

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12
Q

Explain how the operating system efficiently manages the memory to allow the CPU to multi task

A

When application is opened the operating system moves the necessary points into the RAM
To run multiple applications the OS needs to ensure the applications do not overwrite themselves in memory
Only one application can be processed at once. The OS splits the CPUs time into slices and manages the application time in the CPU

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13
Q

Where is data stored long term and why

A

Secondary storage because it is long term and non volatile

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14
Q

What role does the OS play in disk management

A

Identifies where files are stored for long term storage on, for eg the HDD or SSD
User does not need to know the specific track sector and surface address.Operating system does in order to accurately locate a file on the HDD.

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15
Q

Explain defragmentation utility

A

The process of reordering files stored on a hard disk so that their segments run continuously
Entire files stored on HDD in available spaces
Files are moved, deleted, can change size and have small gaps

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16
Q

Operating systems can be either single user or multi user accounts, what is the difference

A

Single user allows only one user to access the system at once
multi user system allow multiply users to access the system at the same time

17
Q

An example of a single user system

A

home desktop pc running Windows 10

18
Q

An example of a multi user system

A

a file server in a school will run a multi user operating system

19
Q

what are device drivers

A

a piece of hardware used to control a piece of hardware
allow a peripheral device to be connected to a computer and to be used by an operating system
may get drivers for graphics cads, mouse, network interface cards
they are OS specific and regularly updated by companies

20
Q

what are utilities

A

designed to do 1 0r 2 tasks

21
Q

what is encryption used for

A

to scramble data in a way that is unreadable to anybody that doesnt have a key to unscramble it.

22
Q

how does encryption work

A

data is encrypted by a key and then decrypted by a key. Data is encrypted so that it is unreadable if anyone is to intercept it.

23
Q

what is compression

A

to reduce the size of the file

reducing the size of the file by preforming an algorithm on the original data.

24
Q

what are the two types of compression

A

lossy

lossless

25
Q

what is lossy

A

some of the original data is lost and the original file cannot be created

26
Q

what is lossless

A

the original file can be recreated as no data is lost

27
Q

advantages and disadvantages on lossy

A

ad:
very small file size - more files can be stored
commonly used

disad:
loss in quality
cant get back original copy after compressing (deleted)

28
Q

advantages and disadvantages on lossless

A

ad:
quality not lost
nothing is removed or deleted just smaller
can be used on text and software files

disad:
files are larger than if you used lossy

29
Q

why is file backup needed

A

to ensure there is a way of storing files/data/programs incase of computer failure
copies of data and/or software are taken regularly and usually stored in different locations

30
Q

what is backup utility

A

It ensures that if computers are stolen or damaged their data can be restored

31
Q

What are the two types of back ups

A

Full backups and incremental backups

32
Q

Explain full backups

A

copy of all data and software
medium is kept at a different location
take a long time to complete
recovery takes a long time as it restores all data and programs

33
Q

Explain incremental backups

A

full backup made initially
only the files have been changed since the last incremental backup
faster to complete than full backups
takes much longer to restore than a full backup
as a full backup would need restoring first and then every incremental backup since the last full backup

AWard GCSE Computer Science (8 decks)

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