5) Systems Software

Question 1

What is an operating system?

Answer 1

Manages the resources of a computer and provides interface between user amd computers hardware

Question 2

What are the 5 main functions of an (OP)?

Answer 2

• Memory management and multitasking
• User management
• File management
• UI
• Drivers and peripherals

Question 3

Whats memory management and multitasking?

Answer 3

• Programs must be stored in RAM and CPU to be able to process them

Question 4

How does a memory management and multitasking work?

Answer 4

• OS transfers programs in and out of memory from hard drive when processing is require. Programs are removed when closed to free up space

Question 5

Whats peripherals management and drivers?

Answer 5

• External device to input or output data . Data is transfered between external devices and processor to be managed by operating system

Question 6

Whats user management?

Answer 6

• Allows you to create, manage and delete individual accounts.
• Can be granted different access rights such as administrator or guest

Question 7

Whats file management?

Answer 7

• Creates and maintains a logical management system to organise files and directories.
• allows files to be names,copied,renamed,opened,moved and saved

Question 8

Whats the User interface?

Answer 8

• Allows a human to interact with the computer system. Human uses a HCI

Question 9

Name the items in a GUI?

Answer 9

• Icons (shortcuts)
• Multiple windows (open at same time)
• Interface (customised)
• taskbar (shortcuts)
• Menus (shortcuts)

Question 10

What is a utility software?

Answer 10

• Dedicated programs used for maintenance and organisation of a computer system

Question 11

What are examples of utilities?

Answer 11

Firewall,encryption software and anti-virus,data compression

Question 12

What is fragmentation?

Answer 12

• Hard drives stored for a time are fragmented
• Files are split into parts and saved in different locations

Question 13

When does fragmentation occur?

Answer 13

There is limited contiguous space to store a file.

Question 14

What does the fragmentation make occur?

Answer 14

• Increases access time. (Takes longer to load and read)

Question 15

How does defragmentation work?

Answer 15

• Empty spaces are collected together. File fragments are moved to be stored together

Question 16

What are the effects of defragmentation?

Answer 16

• Less time to read and access. Because data is stored contiguously
• Quicker to save new files and more free space together