Chapter 3: Software

Question 1

Define the term ‘Software’.

Answer 1

Software is the term given to the programs we run on our Computer.

Question 2

Name four secondary storage mediums.

Answer 2

A hard disk
A memory stick
An SD card
An optical disk (DVD or CD)

Question 3

What do System, Application and software control?

Answer 3

System Software: Controls the Software
Application Software: Handles the real-world jobs that users want to do.
Utility Software: Has limited functionality and is used to maintain computer systems.

Question 4

Why does System Software act as an intermediary between the application and the hardware?

Answer 4

It hides the complexities of the hardware from the user and the application programmer.
It allows the user to operate the computer without having to write programs.

Question 5

Define the term ‘User Interface’

Answer 5

The user interface is the boundary between the human user and the machine.

Question 6

What does the command-line interface require?

Answer 6

The user to type commands.

Question 7

What does ‘GUI’ stand for?

Answer 7

Graphical User Interface.

Question 8

What are some of the difficulties that some interfaces face?

Answer 8

Accent
Speed of Talking
Dialect Used.

Question 9

Name three types of files.

Answer 9

Data Files: Such as a word processed document or a database.
Program Files: Such as operating system components or applications.
Configuration Data: Such as the parts of the Windows registry.

Question 10

What can ‘Defragmentation’ be used for ?

Answer 10

Can be used to tidy up the disk or other medium so that the parts of the files are moved to be stored next to each other.

Question 11

What is a ‘Device Driver’ and what does it do?

Answer 11

Creates an interface so that programmers do not need to be concerned about the peculiarities of the device.
Allows an operating system to communicate with he device.
Allows devices to operate independently of each other.

Question 12

What must a ‘Multiprogramming operating system’ do?

Answer 12

Make sure that the CPU is in use as much of the time as possible.
Try to speed up the operations of all tasks.
Share resources fairly between tasks.

Question 13

What are ‘File Extensions’?

Answer 13

These are parts if the file name that indicate what type of file it is.

Question 14

What do viruses do?

Answer 14

They replicate themselves and attach themselves to legitimate programs.

Question 15

State 3 things Viruses can do

Answer 15

Damage files.
Take control of a computer.
Retrieve confidential data.

Question 16

State 4 application programs

Answer 16

Word Processors.
Traffic light controls.
Payroll processing.
Train look-up programs.

Question 17

Explain what Disk Organisation utilities include.

Answer 17

Formatting - Prepares new media for receiving data.
File Transfer: Copies files from one location to another. FTP utilities are for copying files across a network.
Defragmentation - Recognises files that have been split on secondary storage. It relocates the fragments close together so that access is faster.

Question 18

State two advantages and two disadvantages of custom written software.

Answer 18

Advantages: It should have exactly the features required.
It should not require special adaptations to be made after instillation.
Disadvantages: It may not have been extensively tested.
It may take a long time to develop.

Question 19

Give three examples of ‘Off the shelf software’

Answer 19

Microsoft Office.
Windows.
Norton security software.

Question 20

What are the difficulties that ‘normal speech input’ are associated with?

Answer 20

Accent.
Speed of Talking.
Dialect used.

Question 21

Give three advantages and three disadvantages of Open source software.

Answer 21

Advantages:
It maybe free of charge;
It can be altered because the source code is available;
It many be extremely reliable and efficient because many people work to improve it.

Disadvantages:
There are no maintenance contracts;
There is no one to contact if there are any problems;
Updates may not happen or come at irregular intervals.

Question 22

Explain what is meant by Open source software.

Answer 22

This is software that has bee placed in the public domain by the programmers. They often produce software to improve their skills or for the public good. Some of the most widely used software in the world is open source.