Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Computing > A451: Topic 3 - Software > Flashcards

A451: Topic 3 - Software Flashcards

1
Q

What is the purpose of the Operating systems user interface?

A

-People need to be able to interact with a computer. one of the main types of user interface is the GUI. A GUI provides you with the functionality to create and manage the windows that you use on screen and also provides desktop icons etc.

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

Why do we need an operating system?

A

-An operating system is the core software that allows a computer to run as an useful device. It manages the hardware, the user interface and all other software running on the computer.

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

Why do operating systems need memory management?

A

-The amount of memory you have on your computer is limited. So it needs to managed, this is the job of a memory manager. The memory manager moves programs, bits of the operating system etc.. from RAM to virtual memory. This is one of the main duties of the operating system.

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

What other things does the operating system control?

A
  • Multitasking, controlling what is in RAM etc…
  • Peripheral management.
  • Security firewalls etc..
  • Providing a user interface.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

DESCRIBE What is Proprietary software?

A
  • Source code is not available.

- Licence restricts the copying of modification of the software.

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

What is Off the self software?

A

-General purpose software that is not written for any particular type of business. Examples of this include word processors and spreadsheets. Can also include virus software. It can be bought by anyone.

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

What are utility programs?

A

-System software that provides other useful functions for the computer.

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

What is open source software?

A

-Free software, that is normally made by volunteer programmers with no intention of making money. There is licence conditions attached to this software, for example you can’t sell the software on to people. This type of software may contain bugs, however it is free to use.

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

Purpose of Defragmentation (disk organisation)?

A

-Over time files on the hard disk become scattered because you keep coming back to them. One of the main utility programs on the operating system is the disk defragmenter. they reorganize the data on the hard drive so the computer will run faster.

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

Purpose of system maintenance software?

A

-Maintenance software is utility software. this is to perform updates etc.. to help the computer to continue to run fast.

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

Describe how System clean-up is used?

A

-Searches for and deletes files, programs which are longer used. eg. deletes temp files, installation files, deletes settings, registry values which are no longer used.

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

Describe how automatic updates?

A

-Utility program, that Checks on the software manufactures site on the internet for newer versions of programs which are installed If found it downloads, installs the software.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the main functions of an operating system?

A

-Providing a user interface ,managing the computer’s memory, managing the computer’s hardware.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why does the operating system need to manage the memory?

A

-This is so that when you double click on the desktop icon to open application ,the operating system loads the necessary parts of the application into the memory as you start the application the operating system Loads extra modules into the memory as they are required if you don’t use some of these features of the application and all the application for a while the operating system will remove them from memory and try to free up space.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why does the operating system need to manage hardware?

A

-Every piece of hardware has software called a device driver for example the printer will have a print driver the mouse will have its own mouse driver, a device driver acts as the go-between for the software so it is able to talk to it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are single user single application systems?

A

-An example of this kind of operating system would be found on the mobile phone. There can only be one user using the mobile and that person is the only using one using the phone at that time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are single user multitasking systems?

A

-The operating system is designed mainly on the single use in mind but can deal with many applications at the same time for example you might be writing an essay while searching the Internet for a video file and also listening to a piece of music examples of operating systems are Windows Vista Windows 7 next Mac os.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are multiuser multitasking operating systems?

A

-These systems manage each user logged onto the system the work space and so on. Allocate resources to the jobs they want to run, keep logs of how much processing time and resources they use, work out the most efficient use of computer processing cycles, maintain security.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is a computer virus?

A

-A computer virus is a software program that is designed to copy itself over and over again and to attach itself to other programs. Viruses do not damage the computer’s hardware they affect the data and programs stored on the computer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is antivirus software?

A

-Antivirus software contains a database of known viruses, everytime file is opened the antivirus utility checks the content looking for viruses against its database.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is spyware?

A

-Spyware is a software program that once installed on your computer can monitor and collect personal information about your web surfing habits and the webpages you visit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What can Spyware do?

A

-Usually you are unaware that your machine has been affected by spyware and it can sit in the background collecting information about you then transmitted back to the author of the spyware. Spyware may be installed without your knowledge by downloading some shareware or other software seems to do something useful .for example a free game or utility.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is a firewall?

A

-A firewall is a utility program that filters the information coming through the Internet connection to your personal computer or in the company’s network. is main aim is to try and stop any attempt by intruders to enter the system through the Internet connection.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is disk formatting?

A

-A utility program that formats secondary storage devices such as the hard disk.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is disk defragmentation?

A

-After a while your computer begins to run more slowly one reason for this is because over time files and folders on the hard disk become fragmented or scattered.
When you want to start an application all the files need to be next to each other. Defragmentation can organize the files on the disk so that they are with each other so they can be accessed more quickly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the system information?

A

-The operating system is a record of all the hardware and details for the operating system such as make ,clock speed ,number of processes, version numbers and so on.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are system information diagnostics utility?

A
  • Attempts to detect and resolve items that are not working correctly.
    e. g. Missing drivers and network connection
28
Q

What is a system cleanup tool?

A
  • Overtime some parts of the system become cluttered with all installation details ,temporary files and dead shortcuts.
  • A good disk cleanup tool will search for and delete files which are no longer needed.
  • One of the benefits of doing this is that large amounts of storage space is released this can then be used for other programs and files.
  • Assistant cleanup tool will search the computer settings and no longer needed programmes which is slowing the computer down.
  • Running this utility regularly can help improve the performance and speed up the boot time so that the computer starts up much faster.
29
Q

What is automatic updating?

A
  • -This is a very important utility that automatically searches the web for updated versions of patches for critical software such as operating system web browser.
  • If another is found it to be automatically downloaded and installed and you will be prompted to restart the machine in order to apply the patch.
  • Automatic updates ensure that your system is protected from possible threats of security, loopholes that could be exploited by programmes.
30
Q

Examples of off-the-shelf software?

A

-Word processing applications, writing reports ,memos ,letters to customer.

31
Q

Reasons to use off-the-shelf software?

A
  • It is relatively cheap especially when compare to customers and software.
  • It is easily available from most computer shops.
  • It will have been thoroughly tested so there won’t be any serious problems or bugs.
  • There will be lots of user support ,books user guides, online help and discussion forums on the Internet.
32
Q

Advantages of custom written software?

A
  • The company will get the exact software that they need.
  • The software will work exactly how they wanted to work.
  • Software will only have the features that specifically need for their business.
33
Q

Disadvantages of custom written software?

A
  • It takes a long time to develop such a system between a few months to a year.
  • It cost a great deal of money to develop such a system.
  • The company may need to employ a team of people such as a business analyst programmers and testers.
  • Unlike off-the-shelf software there is unlikely to be any Internet forums or websites to help users.
34
Q

Define System software?

A

-Programs that are used to run the computer, including the operating system, utilities, library routines and programming language translators

35
Q

Define application software?

A

-Programs that perform a task for a user. This is something that the user would do with or without a computer, it the task that matters not the computer.

36
Q

Define Memory management?

A

-One of the main functions of the operating system - managing multiple applications using the space in main memory so 2 programs can be executed efficiently.

37
Q

Define Peripheral?

A

-A device (hardware) that is connected to the CPU to provide input, output and storage.

38
Q

Define Peripheral management?

A

-One of the main functions of the operating system - managing the input to the CPU and the output from the CPU.

39
Q

Define Multitasking?

A

-One of the main functions of the operating system - managing how several tasks or programs, which are all running at the same time, share the processor.

40
Q

Define Security?

A

-One of the main functions of the operating system - protecting the computer system from various hazards such as unauthorized users, viruses, hackers and accidental damage.

41
Q

Define User interface?

A

-The method of communication between the computer and its user. Sometimes called HCI (Human-computer-Interface) or MMI (Man-Machine-Interface).

42
Q

Three ways antivirus software will protect a computer?

A
  • It prevents harmful programs from being installed on the computer.
  • It prevents important files, such as the operating system, being changed or deleted
  • If a virus does manage to install itself, the software will detect it on a scan and remove it.
43
Q

A firewall blocks access from the internet onto a PC or network. these work using several factors?

A
  • Where the access is from (the computer’s address)
  • The type of traffic
  • Specific websites.
44
Q

Open source software is governed by the Open source Initiative that says…

A
  • Software is licensed for use, however no fee is given for the licence. Anyone can use it.
  • Open source software must be distributed with the source code so that anyone can use it.
  • Developers can sell the software they have created.
  • New software that is created through open source software must also be free and it must be in a form that people can edit.
45
Q

Define Freeware?

A

-It is free to the user however the user does not get access to the source code.

46
Q

Advantages of off the shelf software?

A
  • You can use it straight away.
  • cheaper than custom written.
  • Lots of people use it so there is going to be lots of customer support.
  • Regular updates and bug fixes.
47
Q

Disadvantages of off the shelf software?

A
  • Made to suit many people so there may be many features that you never use making the software more complicated that it needed to be.
48
Q

Define Software?

A

Programs that run on a computer.

49
Q

Examples of Utility programs?

A

-Examples include, virus scanners, disk defragmenters and backup utilities.

50
Q

Define Library?

A

-Systems software modules that perform frequently required tasks. they can be built into or called from other programs.

51
Q

Define Translators?

A

-System software that translates high level programming language into machine code. Includes compilers, interprets and assemblers.

52
Q

Define HCI?

A

-Human computer interface, another term for user interface.

53
Q

Define MMI?

A

-Man-Machine Interface, another term for user interface.

54
Q

Define GUI?

A

-A Graphical user interface, A style of user interface that uses icons instead of text.

55
Q

Define WIMP interface?

A

-Stands for: Windows, Icons, Menus & Pointers. It describes a type of user interface where the user selects icons and menu items with a pointer of some kind (with a mouse).

56
Q

Define Command line interface?

A

-A style of interface that is text only based, commands are typed at the text prompt.

57
Q

define Address?

A

-A numerical reference to a location in memory.

58
Q

Define Process?

A

-A program what is running in main memory.

59
Q

Define Single user?

A

-Describes the operating system of a computer where only one person can use the computer at one time.

60
Q

define Multi-user?

A

-Describes the operating system of a computer where more than one person can use the computer at any one time.

61
Q

DESCRIBE System information utility?

A
  • Displays important data about the current state of the computer.
    e. g. temperature, free memory.
62
Q

Define File transfer and management?

A

-A utility program that allows the user to create a logical view of how their files are organised using folders. Allows user to move files within folders copy, paste, name and delete files.

63
Q

Define Custom written software?

A

-Software that is written for a customer’s specific requirements, just for that customer.

64
Q

Define Licence?

A

-An agreement that defines the conditions for using the software.

65
Q

Exam question: What is meant by an ‘Operating system’?

A

An operating system is a set of programs (1) that controls how the user interacts with the hardware and software of a computer (1).

66
Q

Exam question: One advantage to the manufacture of providing proprietary software instead of open source software.

A

Fast access… less delays when turning the device on.

Small light enough to fit within a hand held device.

Computing (15 decks)

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