Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

iGCSE CS 25 > 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts > Flashcards

4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts Flashcards

1
Q

What is system software?

A

The programs that allow hardware to run properly and allow the user to communicate with the computer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is application software?

A

The programs that allow the user to perform a specific task

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

State 3 features of system software

A

Set of programs to control and manage the operation of computer hardware
Provides a platform on which other software can run
Required to allow hardware and software to run without problems
Provides a human computer interface (HCI)
Controls the allocation and usage of hardware resources.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

State 3 features of Application software

A

Used to perform various applications (apps) on a computer
Allows a user to perform specific tasks using the computer’s resources
May be a single program (e.g. NotePad) or a suite of programs (e.g. Microsoft Office)
User can execute the software as and when they require.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

State 3 examples of application software and their use

A

Word Processor- Used to manipulate a text document, such as an essay or a report
Database - Used to organise, manipulate and analyse data. Typically made up of one or more tables.
Control and measuring- Used to allow a microprocessor to interface with sensors to measure and control processes
Spreadsheet - Used to organise and manipulate numerical data (in the form of integer, real, date …).
Video Editing - Used to manipulate moving images with titles, colour correction, altering sound etc…
Photo Editing Graphics Manipulation
Graphics Manipulation - Used to edit, create and manipulate bitmap and vector images.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

State 3 examples of system software and their use

A

Compilers - A program that translates a program written in a high-level language (HLL) into machine code
Linkers - A program that takes one or more object file produced by a compiler and combines them into a single program
Device Drivers - Software that enables one or more hardware devices to communicate with the computer’s operating system.
Operating Systems - Software running in the background of a computer system which manages many of the basic functions.
Utilities - Software that are designed to carry out specific tasks on a computer e.g. anti-virus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

State 2 types of utility software

A

Back up
Security
Anti-Virus
File Compression e.g. Winzip
Defragmentation
Screensavers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is utility software

A

A specific category of System software that support a computer system in operating as safely and efficiently as possible.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe Back Up software (Utility)

A

It schedules creating copies of files when changes have been made to them.
Multiple versions means you can restore deleted or corrupted files.
For total security there should be three versions of a file:
* the current (working) version
* a locally backed up copy of the file
* a remote back-up version stored well away from the computer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe Defragmentation software (Utility)

A

As a HDD becomes full, blocks used for files will become scattered all over the disk surface (in potentially different sectors and tracks as well as different surfaces).
Defragmentation software oves part of files around so all parts are stored together.
Free memory space is collected together to reduce HDD head movements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe security software (Utility)

A

Manages access control and user accounts
Oversees the updating of software.
Also links into links into other utility software, such as virus checkers and firewalls

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

State 5 functions of an operating system

A
  • Provides a user interface for applications
  • Opens, closes and installs software
  • Manages the hardware and peripherals
  • Manages memory e.g. loading programs into RAM
  • Manages processor time allocation
  • Manages interrupts and error handling
  • Manages file handling e.g. organising, saving and deleting
  • Manages security e.g. logging on and passwords
  • Manages user accounts
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Why do we need an Operating System?

A
  • Allows a user to communicate with the computer using hardware
  • Provides the user with a user interface for interaction with the computer
  • Allows for multitasking and handles interrupts
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is Virtual Memory

A
  • When RAM is full a section of the hard disk is used to allow more programs to be loaded.
  • It is much slower than RAM.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is a device driver?

A
  • A piece of software that allows peripheral devices to communicate with the OS
  • Translates signals to/from peripherals to something the OS can understand
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is spooling?

A
  • Simultaneous Peripheral Operations On-Line
  • Data are temporarily held in a buffer waiting for an output device to access it e.g. printer
17
Q

What is memory management?

A

Operating system assigns blocks of memory to programs running in a computer

18
Q

What is scheduling?

A

Operating system determines the order in which the programs should use the CPU and how much time is allocated to each one

19
Q

What is polling?

A
  • Operating system regularly checks each peripheral device in turn to discover whether it needs the attention of the operating system.
  • Less efficient CPU use than interrupts
20
Q

What is a buffer

A

Temporary memory which stores data until it is ready to be used.

21
Q

What is an interrupt?

A

Interrupts are signals sent to the CPU or operating system
They can be sent from hardware (e.g. printer - run out of paper) or software (e.g. email client, email arrived)
The signal is used to request processor time
Interrupts can have different priorities e.g. high/low
It enables multitasking to be carried out on a computer

22
Q

Explain how an interrupt is generated and handled when a key is pressed on a keyboard

A
  • A key is pressed that presses a switch
  • The key press completes a circuit
  • The location of the keypress is calculated
  • The location of the keypress is used to look up the binary ASCII value
  • The binary ASCII value is then sent to a buffer to wait to be processed
  • An interrupt is then sent to the processor to let it know there has been a key press
  • The binary ASCII value is then processed by the CPU
  • The CPU then returns to the previous process.
23
Q

What is multitasking?

A

When multiple tasks share the processor

24
Q

What is multiprogramming?

A

Running more than one program at a time

25
Q

State 2 types of HCI (Human Computer Interface)

A

GUI (Graphical User Interface)
CLI (Command Line Interface)

26
Q

What is a GUI?

A

Graphical User Interface
The user communicates with the operating system using windows, drop-down menus, icons and pointers (WIMP).

27
Q

What is a CLI?

A

Command Line Interface
The user communicates with the operating system by typing commands

28
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a GUI?

A

A: Easy to use, especially for a beginner
A: You do not have to learn complicated commands

D: GUIs take up a much larger amount of hard disk space
D: They need significantly more memory (RAM) to run
D: They use more processing power than other types of interface

29
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a CLI?

A

A: Can be much faster if the user knows the commands
A: Needs much less memory (RAM)
A: Does not use as much CPU processing time

D: it can be very confusing and slow for novices
D: Commands have to be typed precisely.
D: Large number of commands which need to be learned

30
Q

Describe how an interrupt works

A

A signal is sent to the CPU or operating system to request processor time
…. may be from a device or software
The processor stops to service/deal with the interrupt
Once the interrupt is serviced the previous process continues

31
Q

Describe how an Interrupt Service Routine works

A
  • Whenever an interrupt is received it needs to be serviced.
  • The status of the current task being run is saved so the contents of the Program Counter (PC) and other registers are saved.
  • Then the interrupt service routine (ISR) is executed by loading the start address into the Program Counter (PC).
  • Once the interrupt has been fully serviced, the status of the interrupted task is reinstated
  • The contents of all the saved registers are then retrieved) and the process continues.
32
Q

What is the BIOS?

A

Basic Input Output System
Stores the boot up instructions
Handles the start up of a computers motherboard.
It tells the computer where the OS is located and loads and executes the needed parts of the OS.
Often referred to as firmware.

33
Q

What is an Interrupt Service Routine?

A

Software that handle requests for CPU time (for example, when the printer is out of paper) and it sends a request to the CPU for processing

34
Q

What is firmware?

A

A program that provides low level control for devices

35
Q

Give some examples of how an operating system performs security mannagement

A
  • By carrying out operating system updates as and when they become available
  • By ensuring that anti-virus software (and other security software) is always up to date
  • By communicating with, for example, a firewall to check all traffic to and from the computer
  • By setting up user accounts and making use of passwords and user IDs); this helps to ensure the privacy of data
  • By maintaining access rights for all users
  • By offering the ability for the recovery of data (and system restore) when it has been lost or corrupted
36
Q

Give some examples of how an operating system manages periperals/hardware?

A
  • communicates with all input and output devices using device drivers
  • uses a device driver to take data from a file (defined by the operating system) and translates it into a format that the input/output device can understand
  • ensures each hardware resource has a priority so that they can be used and released as required
  • manages input/output devices by controlling queues and buffers;
37
Q

Give an example of a software interrupt

A

This occurs when an application stops or requests services from the OS e.g.
* a program is not responding
* division by zero
* two processes trying to access the same memory location

38
Q

Give an exmaple of a hardware interrupt

A

This is caused by a hardware device e.g..
* pressing a key on the keyboard
* moving the mouse
* printer has run out of paper

iGCSE CS 25 (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions