(6) Computer Systems Flashcards
What are the two types of classification software?
System Software, Application Software
What are the 4 types of System software?
Operating System, Utility Programs, Library Programs, Programming Translators
What are the 3 types of Application Software?
Bespoke Software- made for a custom tasks
Generic off the shelf software-Designed to complete a broad range of tasks
Special Purpose (ready made)-Made for one particular task
What are operating systems and what is the function of it?
A program that designed to hide the complexities of hardware from the user.
Manages the operations of the computer for the user, acts as a bridge between the user and computers hardware.
Eg. Windows, MacOS, iOS
Function
- Moving data into and out of Ram
- Allocate I/O devices to processes
- Decides which process to carry out
- Disk fragmentation
Allocate processors/cores to processes // schedule processes // decide which process to
carry out when;
Allocate memory/RAM to processes // moving data into and out of RAM / to a paging file
for virtual memory // ensuring processes can only write to memory that they have been
allocated;
Allocate I/O devices to processes // manages communication between processes and I/O
devices // automatic installation of drivers for new I/O devices; A. examples of devices
NE. manages I/O devices
Allocate space on a storage device to files // organising files into directories // determines
where on a device to save a file // recognising storage devices when they are connected;
A. defragmentation of disks NE. saving a file
Installation of new software // automatic/managing updating of software;
A. “programs” or “tasks” for “processes”
R. handling interrupts
R. hides complexity
Note: Students must describe the type of resource management – phrases such as
“processor management”, “allocating memory” etc are not enough.
What are Utility programs and examples of it?
Small programs with one specific purpose that is designed to optimise the performance of the computer.
- Disk Defragmenter
- Virus Checker
- Backing up files
- compressing or decompressing data
- encrypting data
- providing a firewall
What are library programs and examples of it?
Ready compiled programs which can be run when needed.
-Maths calculations
What are programming translators and examples of it?
Converts program code by a programmer into machine code which can be run by the computer
-Compilers, Interpreter, Assembly
What is System Software?
- Software that is needed to run the computers hardware and application programs
- Software that performs tasks to run computer;
- Layer of software which enables user to operate computer;
- Software that hides complexity of computer from user/provides virtual machine;
- Software that lets user communicate with/manage hardware;
- Software to run applications/hardware/programs/computer/ packages;
- Software required to make computer work;-
What is Application Software?
Software that carries out tasks that the user is interested in doing such as writing a letter, creating graphs, sending an email or downloading a webpage.
Performs tasks for the user
Define Software and Hardware?
Hardware is all the physical components that make up a computer
Software is the programs that run on a computer
How does a operating system manages memory management?
It manages how much RAM a program has access to which allows multiple applications to run simultaneously.
How does a operating system manages processor scheduling?
Involves deciding what order to execute each instruction in. Only executes one instruction at a time
How does a operating system manages peripherals?
The OS uses device drivers to communicate with I/O devices connected to the computer system.
What is 1st generation language and its level?
(Low Level)
Machine Code - A line of code (1’s & 0’s) split into opcode and operand
What is 2nd generation language and its level?
(Low Level)
Assembly Language - The opcode is mnemonics and the operand is decimal/ hexadecimal
What is 3rd and 4th generation language and its level?
(Both High Level)
High level language - E.g. C#, Java etc
Declarative Language - You state what you want, not how to do it
What are the advantages and disadvantages of high level languages compared to a low level language?
+Relatively easy to learn
+Easier and quicker to write in high level language
+Capable of running on multiple different computers
-Requires a compiler to run
What are the 3 different types of programming translators?
Compiler, Interpreter, Assembler
What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?
- A compiler produces object code whilst an interpreter does not
- A compiler translates the whole of the source code into object code whilst an interpreter translates line by line
-The object code produced by a compiler will execute faster, (once it is compiled) than
interpreting the source code (every time the program is run)
-An interpreter can run (syntactically correct) parts of a program whilst there are
syntax errors in other parts of it, which a compiler cannot;
What is inputted into a compiler and assembler and outputted?
Source code goes in; object code comes out
What is an assembler? i.e. what does it do?
It converts low level language into the correct machine code
List advantages of a compiler over interpreters?
- Object code executes faster than interpreted code
- Object code is more secure as it cannot be read
Compiler and interpreter. Describe situations in which each would be appropriate.
Compiler -Games/ Movies - Interpreter -To debug code -
What is virtual memory?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of low level languages compared to a high level language?
+Can run faster
+
What is imperative high level language and its relationship to low level language?
What is a edge triggered D type flip flop and what is it used for?
A flip flop is an elemental sequential logic circuit that can store one bit and flip between two states, 0 and 1.
Used for creating registers and counters
What is bytecode?***
A combination of compiling and interpreting which can be executed by a bytecode interpreter
What are all the logit gates and what do they look like?
Except XNOR
N
What does a half adder look like?
