4.6.1.1 Relationship between hardware and software and 4.6.1.2 Classification of software Flashcards
What is hardware?
The physical components that make up the computer
What is software?
Programs that are processed by the processor and executed by the computer
What is system software?
Allows the user to operate the computer, it acts as a an interface between the hardware and the user, making the hardware work and creating a platform to run other software. e.g operating system, library programs, assembler/compiler/interpreter
What is application software?
Makes the hardware do something useful, performing tasks that are independent from the computer (real world tasks), e.g word processor, spreadsheet, database
State some application software examples
Spreadsheets Database Presentation Desktop Publishing Word Processor Communications software Drawing software
Why will a software system require maintenance?
To deal with bugs/errors in the code
To update the program and add new features
Improve performance
Update to handle new hardware
Why may new software fail?
Bugs in the program
Project doesn’t meet user’s needs and doesn’t sell
Hardware not powerful enough
Only runs on certain operating systems
Poorly managed project, poorly trained staff
What is the purpose of backup utility?
Automatically makes copies of files to prevent loss of data and protects important work by regularly performing backup
What type of control software could endanger life if it fails?
Flight control software
Life support controlling software
Hazardous material controlling software
Mechanical equipment monitoring software
What is bespoke software?
Software specially written for an end user, such as a company
What is special purpose software?
Software written for a particular task
What is general purpose software?
Software that is appropriate for many different tasks. This makes it cheaper and more useful.
What’s the advantages and disadvantages of special purpose over bespoke software?
Special purpose software is immediately available, has a lower cost and has a wider range of support available for it. You can easily hire staff that understand the software and it’s less likely to have bugs.
Bespoke is useful when there is no software available to solve a problem and a specific requirement is needed, this means it will do everything and won’t have unnecessary features.
