4. software

Question 1

application software

Answer 1

allows user to perform an activity, specific task eg. word processing, spreadsheet, database, CAD presentation, photo editing web browser

Question 2

system software

Answer 2

provides the services that the computer requires, including operating system and utility software; 2 types operating system and utility software

Question 3

opperating system vs utility software

Answer 3

os- software that manages a comp systems cpu, memory, storage, devices, provides user interface allows apps to run eg. windows, macos
utility software- software designed to carry out specific tasks help manage, maintain and control comp resources eg. compression, backup, disk cleaning, antivirus, monitoring, diagnosis, disk defragmentation, encryption, compiler, linker
Operating systems control the computer hardware and act as an interface with application programs. Utility software helps to manage, maintain and control computer resources

Question 4

roles of operating system (9)

Answer 4

• managing files
  – handling interrupts
  – providing an interface
  – managing peripherals and drivers
  – managing memory
  – managing multitasking
  – providing a platform for running applications
  – providing system security
  – managing user accounts

Question 5

what is needed to run applications software and how does it work

Answer 5

hardware, firmware, operating system
applications are run on the os, os is run on the firmware, the bootlander (firmware) is run on the hardware

Question 6

what are the possible interface types, explain interface

Answer 6

GUI- using windows, icons, menus and pointers
CLI- commands are typed
dialogue- based interface- voice commands
gesture-based interface- touch, virtual reality
providing interface allows user to issue commands and run programs known as HCI

Question 7

what is the role of os with interrupts

Answer 7

receives and processes requests from peripheral devices,uses a ISR (internet service routine) whcih is what does necessary actions to handle interrupt
ISR is evoked by the os interrupt handler (decides which ISR should be exectued)
interrupt handled and processed, ISR sends EOI t continue with past task

Question 8

what are interrupts

Answer 8

signals sent from hardware or software to os to request cpu attention when os receives interrupt, suspends current task and executes interrupt in interupt service routine, once interrupt is delt with, os continues with task it was performing before

Question 9

what are the two types of interrupt

Answer 9

hardware interrupts- generate by hardware devices, eg. pressing a key on the
keyboard and moving the mouse
software interrupts- exceptions, when unexpected events occur eg. division by zero and two processes trying to access the same memory location

Question 10

describe role of os in managing files

Answer 10

allocates space on secondary storage devices manages creation and deletion of files

Question 11

describe role of os in handling interrupts

Answer 11

receives and processes requests from peripheral devices

Question 12

describe role of os in managing peripherals and drivers

Answer 12

os uses system software known as drivers to communicate with peripheral devices

Question 13

describe role of os in running apps

Answer 13

provides platform for running apps, manages programs that are running on the comp allows user to star or stop programs allows install, updates, uninstall programs

Question 14

describe role of os in managing memory

Answer 14

controls allocation of ram to individual programs, divides allocation into pages

Question 15

describe role of os in multitasking

Answer 15

allows to run multiple programs at once, switching between tasks allocating each of them some cpu processing time= scheduling

Question 16

describe role of os in managing user accounts

Answer 16

it allows several people to have own username and passowrds, os manages these accounts, user cant access files they dont have permission

Question 17

describe role of os in providing system security

Answer 17

security for computer, computer protected against unauthorised access over internet

Question 18

explain firmware

Answer 18

firmware is a special software stored in rom, allows comp system to start up and access hardware and os

Question 19

explain the steps on turning comp on

Answer 19

1. comp switchd on firmware executed- instrcuts hardware how to access attached storage device
   2.os than started running after firmware retreived from computer storage
2. application software can be locked and run, or hardware driver

Question 20

what is meant by high level languages, give advantages and disadvtanges

Answer 20

a type of programming language with high level of abstraction, eg. pthon java, more understandable to humans thus easier to program and faster program development however slower execution and increased memory use

Question 21

what is meant by low level languages, give advantages and disadvantages

Answer 21

a type of programming lang, lower level of abstraction, not understandbale to human eye eg. c++ and assembly lang, slower to program, more optimised program, increases execution, reduces memory use

Question 22

what is assembly language

Answer 22

a form of low level language, that uses mnenomics, extrmely close to machine code (lang used by computers) an assembler is needed to translate assembly lang to machine code

Question 23

machine code

Answer 23

language cpu can process written in binary both high and low level langauges need to be translated into it before program is executed

Question 24

translators

Answer 24

all programming lang must be translated into machine code, before cpu execution, translator is a software that does this
3 types of translators, assemblers, compilers, interpreters

Question 25

what do compilers and interpreters do

Answer 25

both essentially do the same thing, translate program lang into machine code however in different ways

Question 26

how does a compiler work

Answer 26

compilers translate entire program at once, before executing it, and producing an executable file, doesnt execute program until all errors fixed, all erros sent via a report with all erros present in code called compilation, used mainly when programmer has finished programming program, final program

Question 27

how does an interpreter work

Answer 27

translate 1 line of program at a time, and executes line before translating and executing next line, if errors present on line underneath line currently being translated, the line will still be executed, if error found execution stops used mainly when testing a program quickly, developing a program

Question 28

advantages and disadvantages of compilers

Answer 28

-executable file produced by compiler, quicker execution, doesnt need any additional software

-can be slow compilation, code must be error less to execute

Question 29

advantages and disadvantages of interpreters

Answer 29

-code tested even if error made, edit process is faster

-interpretation slows down executing code, interpreter software always required

Question 30

what is an ide

Answer 30

integrated development environment, software application specifically designed to help programmers create software

Question 31

what are tools present in ide

Answer 31

• code editors (allow code to be entered)
  – run-time environment (programs can be run and tested in ide)
  – translators (compiler/ interpreter for convenience)
  – error diagnostics (highlights potential errors, and hints suggestions to solve)
  – auto-completion
  – auto-correction (corrects minor typos)
  – prettyprint(formats and indents code to make it easier to read)