3.6 Operating Systems + 3.7 High & Low Level Languages

Question 1

What is ‘System software’?

Answer 1

• Needed to run other programs (application software)
• eg. Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android, iOS
• Also includes firewalls and anti virus software

Question 2

What is ‘Application software’?

Answer 2

• Programs that perform specific tasks for the user

- Chrome, Outlook, Call of Duty, Word processor..

Question 3

What is a High-level language?

Answer 3

• A programming language much closer to what humans understand as language
• Uses syntax
• Eg. C, C++, Pascal, Java, Python
• It understands structures such as: Variables, arrays, loops, conditions, functions and procedures

Question 4

What is a Low-level language?

Answer 4

-Closer the the native binary language of a computer

Question 5

What is ‘machine code’?

Answer 5

-A series of binary numbers

Question 6

What is ‘assembly language’?

Answer 6

-A low-level programming language that uses mnemonic codes to create programs

Question 7

What is ‘syntax’?

Answer 7

-A structure of language in a computer program

Question 8

What is a ‘compiler’?

Answer 8

-A computer program that takes a WHOLE PROGRAM written in a high-level language and translates it into machine code

Question 9

What is an ‘interpreter’?

Answer 9

-A computer program that takes a program written in a high level language and translates it LINE BY LINE into machine code

Question 10

What is ‘source code’?

Answer 10

-Code in its text-based form that has not yet been translated into machine code

Question 11

What is an ‘executable file’?

Answer 11

-A file format that a computer can directly process