6.1 Hardware and Software

Question 1

Define Hardware

Answer 1

Hardware is the term given to the physical components of the computer system.

Question 2

Define Software

Answer 2

Software is the name given to program code. Sequences of instructions which are executed in order to perform a task

Question 3

Define Application software

Answer 3

Application software is the name given to the programs that complete a specific task for the user.

Question 4

Define System software

Answer 4

System software operates, control and maintains the computer and its components. System software includes the computer’s operating system as well as the categories utility programs, library programs and translators

Question 5

what does the Operating System within a computer do?

Answer 5

A computers operating system allows its user to control the computer with ease. It does this by proving a virtual machine, hiding the complexity.
It manages and controls the computers resources, such as memory management, processor scheduling and handling interrupts.

Question 6

What do utility programs do in a computer?

Answer 6

Utility programs are used for completing housekeeping tasks in a computer system such as data backup, defragmenting hard drives, data compression and encryption.

Question 7

What do Library programs do in a computer?

Answer 7

Libraries contain useful functions that are frequently used by a program.

Question 8

What do Translators do in a computer and the 3 types?

Answer 8

Translators are pieces of software which translate between different types of language. there are 3 types of translators: compilers, assemblers and interpreters.