Chapter 3- Software

Question 1

Explain the relationship between an application and an operating system (2 marks)

Answer 1

An application performs a useful real-world job; an operating system controls the hardware

Question 2

List three maintenance actions that can be achieved with a typical operating system GUI (1 mark)

Answer 2

> Copying files
Moving files
Deleting files

Question 3

Explain why voice input is still an underdeveloped area for user interface development (3 marks)

Answer 3

There are problems with speed of talking and accents

Question 4

Describe the term ‘user interface’ (2 marks)

Answer 4

The user interface is the boundary between the computer and users

Question 5

Explain why computer technicians often use the command line in order to carry out system maintenance (3 marks)

Answer 5

> Greater control
Able to group commands
Quicker to operate than a GUI

Question 6

Explain the advantages of using a GUI to interact a phone (3 marks)

Answer 6

> Suitable for non-specialist
Easier use with touch screen technology
Difficult to type on small on-screen keyboard

Question 7

Explain what file attributes are (2 marks)

Answer 7

File attributes are extra information about a file

Question 8

State three common file attributes (3 marks)

Answer 8

> Who can view it
Who can run it
who owns it

Question 9

Explain what is meant by a file system (2 marks)

Answer 9

The way in which files are organised by an operating system and the arrangement of files

Question 10

Explain what user privileges are (2 marks)

Answer 10

User privileges are the facilities available to the user and the operations they can perform

Question 11

Explain how an operating system determines a user’s privileges

Answer 11

It sets attributes to files and directories such as read, write and execute

Question 12

List three common utilities supplied with most operating systems

Answer 12

> Firewalls
Defragmentation
File transfer

Question 13

Explain why many operating systems have automatic update features (3 marks)

Answer 13

Because upgrades are available which fix bugs

Question 14

Explain what disk formatting is for (1 mark)

Answer 14

Disk formatting prepares a storage medium for file storage

Question 15

State two advantages and two disadvantages of buying custom written software for an organisation (4 marks)

Answer 15

Advantage- Designer for precise requirements
Advantage- May provide training
Disadvantage- Expensive
Disadvantage- Need to wait

Question 16

Explain what is meant by open source software (3 marks)

Answer 16

The source code is publically available and can be modified by the user

Question 17

State two reasons why an operating system is necessary in a computer (2 marks)

Answer 17

It hides the complexities of the hardware and allows the computer to be operated without the user having to write programs