4. Computer systems Flashcards
Hardware
Physical components of a computer system that can be touched.
Examples: Hardware Components
CPU
RAM
Storage devices
Keyboard
Mouse
Software
Programs that control the hardware, residing on the computer system but not physically touchable.
Examples: Software Types
Operating system
Applications (apps)
Utility software
System Software
Essential software for the operation of the computer system, providing a platform for running applications and carrying out tasks.
System Software Functions
Booting up
Device management
Security
Booting Up
System software talks to hardware to initialize and prepare it for use.
Device Management
System software manages external hardware such as keyboards, printers, etc.
How does system software provide security?
System software provides security layers to prevent malware and protect hardware.
Application Software
Software chosen by users to carry out specific tasks, installed on top of system software.
Productivity Software
Helps users accomplish tasks efficiently, including word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
Communication Software
Allows users to stay connected through email, web browsers, and messaging applications.
Entertainment Software
Provides entertainment options such as watching movies, playing games, or listening to music.
Operating System (OS)
Software that provides an interface between the user and the hardware in a computer system.
Functions: Key Areas of Operating System Functions
Provide a user interface
Memory & processor management
I/O management & device drivers
Application & security management
File management
Hardware
Physical components of a computer system that can be touched.
Examples: Hardware Components
CPU
RAM
Storage devices
Keyboard
Mouse
Software
Programs that control the hardware, residing on the computer system but not physically touchable.
Examples: Software Types
Operating system
Applications (apps)
Utility software
System Software
Essential software for the operation of the computer system, providing a platform for running applications and carrying out tasks.
System Software Functions
Booting up
Device management
Security
Booting Up
System software talks to hardware to initialize and prepare it for use.
Device Management
System software manages external hardware such as keyboards, printers, etc.
How does system software provide security?
System software provides security layers to prevent malware and protect hardware.
Application Software
Software chosen by users to carry out specific tasks, installed on top of system software.
Productivity Software
Helps users accomplish tasks efficiently, including word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
Communication Software
Allows users to stay connected through email, web browsers, and messaging applications.
Entertainment Software
Provides entertainment options such as watching movies, playing games, or listening to music.
Operating System (OS)
Software that provides an interface between the user and the hardware in a computer system.
Key Areas of Operating System Functions
Provide a user interface
Memory & processor management
I/O management & device drivers
Application & security management
File management
User Interface
How the user interacts with the operating system.
Memory Management
Process carried out by the operating system allocating main memory (RAM) between different programs, ensuring efficient operation and multitasking.
RAM Allocation
OS copies programs and data from secondary to primary storage as needed, allocating RAM based on priority and fairness.
Dynamic Management
OS dynamically adjusts memory allocation to maintain optimal system performance.
Processor Management
Process carried out by the operating system dividing time (time slicing) among different programs, enabling multitasking.
CPU Execution
OS decides which programs get access to the CPU, allowing the user to use multiple programs simultaneously.
Application Management
Process enabling applications to interact with hardware and software through standardized application programming interfaces (APIs).
Security Management
Process enabling different user logins, allocating access rights, and maintaining user settings and file audits.
File Management
Process creating, organizing, manipulating, and accessing files and folders, controlling permissions and providing search functionality.
Utility Software
Software designed to help maintain, enhance, and troubleshoot/repair a computer system, interacting with hardware components like secondary storage devices.
Utility Software Examples
Defragmentation
Compression
Encryption
Task Manager
Defragmentation
Groups fragmented files together to improve access speed on secondary storage devices.
Compression
Reduces the amount of secondary storage required by performing an algorithm on the original data.
Encryption
Scrambles data into unreadable cipher-text using algorithms, enhancing data security.
Task Manager
Built-in software allowing users to monitor system resources and troubleshoot potential problems by providing information about processes, performance, startup apps, users, and services.
Lossy compression
Lossy compression physically removes data from the original data to reduce its size, the original file can not be re-created
Lossless compression
Lossless compression uses mathematics to order data more efficiently reducing its size, the original files can be re-created as no data is lost
