Applications

Question 1

What is the difference between a generic application and specialised software?

Answer 1

Generic applications can carry out many different tasks for all different purposes.

Specialised software is designed to do one specific task really well.

Question 2

Give some examples of generic applications?

Answer 2

Word processor,
Spreadsheet,
Presentation software,
Calender software

Question 3

Give some examples of specialised software?

Answer 3

Database software,
Integrated Development Environments

Question 4

What are the utility programs?

Answer 4

System backup
File compression
HDD defragmentation
Anti-malware
File management
Device drivers
File repair

Question 5

What are the two types of backup?

Answer 5

Full - every file is backed up
Incremental - all files since last backup are backed up

Question 6

What are the two types of compression?

Answer 6

Lossy - removes data permanently from the file to reduce file size

Lossless - stores the data of a file more efficiently to reduce file size

Question 7

What is the purpose of a disk defragmentor?

Answer 7

Files can become scattered on a hard disk drive, which can cause load times to increase as the read head has to move further to retreave all data, disk deframentation puts all files and data close together for faster reading.

Question 8

What is the purpose of a File manager?

Answer 8

Sorts data into files and those files into directories for organised storage of said data.

Question 9

What is the difference between Open source and Closed source?

Answer 9

Open source:
- code is publically available
- users can modify code for personal changes
- Free

Closed source:
- paid for
- code is private
- a company develops the code further