1.7 System Software

Question 1

Define OS

Answer 1

Complex piece of software which provides a platform for different applications to run.

Question 2

What does the OS do?

Answer 2

1) Manages the computer’s memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware.
2) Provide an interface between the user and the hardware.

Question 3

What is the command line interface?

Answer 3

A text based interface where the user types commands to complete tasks.

Question 4

What are the advantages of CLI?

Answer 4

1) Wider range of commands.
2) Needs very little computer power.
3) Directly communicates with the computer.
4) It can be quicker if user know commands.

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of CLI?

Answer 5

1) Must remember complex commands.
2) Lots of typing needed for quite simple tasks.
3) Higher chance of errors when typing in commands.

Question 6

What is a graphical user interface?

Answer 6

A visual, interactive and intuitive interface that uses:

Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers (WIMP).

Question 7

What are the advantages of GUI?

Answer 7

1) Quicker to enter commands.
2) Easier to enter commands.
3) Less chance of users making errors.

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of GUI?

Answer 8

1) Smaller range of commands can be used.
2) Requires more computer power.
3) Needs significantly more RAM.

Question 9

What does the peripheral manager do?

Answer 9

1) Controls all the computer inputs and outputs.

2) Communicates with the hardware by using drivers.

Question 10

Define driver

Answer 10

Software component for the hardware device.

Translates the instructions sent by the device manager into one that the device understands.

Question 11

What does the memory manager do?

Answer 11

1) Stores data and instructions from programs (it’s in charge of the RAM).
2) Checks that all requests from programs for memory space are valid and allocates accordingly.
3) De-allocates space and swaps out data depending on the programs in use.

Question 12

What does the process manager do?

Answer 12

1) Allows computer to “multi-task” (multiple programs run simultaneously).
2) All these programs require access to the CPU to process their data.
3) Priorities the tasks and allocates to each process.
4) OS helps the CPU carry out multiple tasks by managing the memory and CPU processing time.

Question 13

What does the file manager do?

Answer 13

1) Controls all files and permissions such as a user’s ability to see or open a file, write to a file or delete a file.
2) Organises and controls files so that they are as easy to use as possible for the user.

Question 14

What does utility software do?

Answer 14

Keeps the computer running smoothly:

1) Performs specific tasks related to the computer functions, resources, files and security.
2) Helps to configure the system, analyse how it is working and optimization of computing.

Question 15

What are some examples of utility programs?

Answer 15

File Compression.
Disk Defragmentation.
Anti - virus.

Question 16

What does an anti - virus do?

Answer 16

Scans and removes malicious files.

Question 17

What does a firewall do?

Answer 17

Prevents unwanted access to a computer over a network, e.g. a local network.

Question 18

What does encryption do?

Answer 18

Text –> cyphertext:

Uses an algorithm to scramble the file according to the key used which is needed to decrypt the file.

Question 19

What does system clean up tools (clean disk) do?

Answer 19

Cleans up the files on your machine, this can be old copies windows, temporary files , recycle bin.

Question 20

What does disk fragmentation do?

Answer 20

Moves all the files into a similar space within hard drive.

Question 21

What does file compression do?

Answer 21

Makes the file smaller but attempts to keep the quality:

Lossy and loseless.

Question 22

What does spyware detection do?

Answer 22

Blocks and removes programs designed to collect personal info and transmit it to others.

Question 23

Define defragmentation

Answer 23

1) Process of moving parts of the file that are split across the hard drive together.
2) They’re located near each other: needle on a mechanical hard drive will move a smaller distance to load the file.
3) Computer can load them up at higher speeds.
4) Improves computer performance and efficiency.

Question 24

What is the process of defragmentation?

Answer 24

1) Gaps are left when files are deleted.
2) When new files are saved, the files fill the gaps and become fragmented.
3) Defragmentation software groups fragment the files back together.
4) Takes more time.

Question 25

What does the counter measure backup do?

Answer 25

Ensures that if computers are stolen or damaged in for e.g. a fire or a natural disaster that data can be restored and a company do not lose much money.

Question 26

What is an incremental backup?

Answer 26

1) A full backup is made initially.
2) Each night only changed files since the last incremental back-up are copied.
3) Much faster to complete that full back-ups.
4) Takes much longer at restoring than a Full Backup (Full Backup would need restoring first and then every incremental back-up since the last full back up).

Question 27

What is a full backup?

Answer 27

1) A copy of all data and software on the hard disk drive / server is copied to a backup medium.
2) Uses more storage space and faster to back up from.
3) Take a long time to complete (usually overnight).
4) Recovery takes a long time as it restores all data and programs; it’s faster than incremental.