Chapter 4 - System Software Flashcards
What are the three (3) Categories of a Software
- Shareware
- Commercial software
- Open source software
Software developed and released as demonstration versions of their commercial product. Each demonstration copy has an expiration date which gives the user ample time to evaluate and decide whether to purchase the product or not.
Shareware
comes prepackaged and is available from software vendors. This must be purchased.
Commercial software
Created by groups of generous programmers and released to the public domain for free and for public use.
Open source software
Performs basic computing functions, including starting your computer and loading the operating system, which provides the interface between you and the machine. It also provides tools for configuring and maintaining your computer system and managing programs and files.
It includes your operating system and several types of utility software
System software
What are the three (3) Types of System Software
- System control program
- System support program
- System development programs
They control the execution of programs
(Ex. Operating system (OS),
Device drivers)
System control program
A set of programs which controls and coordinates the whole operation of
the computer system.
Operating system
Device drivers are system programs which are responsible for proper functioning
of device.
Device drivers
They provide routine service function to other computer programs and users.
System support program
What are the five (5) examples of the System support program
- Utility programs
- Backup Utilities
- Data recovery software
- Compression utilities
- Anti-virus utility
They assists in the creation of computer programs. (Ex. Compilers and interpreters)
System development programs
These are small programs that perform many of the general housekeeping
tasks for the computer, such as system maintenance and file compression.
Utility programs
These utility programs helps us to backup of our important data.
Backup Utilities
Sometimes an illegal operation may result in an accidental loss of data which was still to be needed then we used data recovery software. Such the recycle bin.
Data recovery software
These utility are used to compress large sized files so that they can be stored in storage of low capacity. Win-zip is a popular compression utility used in window based desktops.
Compression utilities
any program that affects the normal working of the other programs or effects
that the boot sector of the disk is a virus. The anti-virus software detects the virus identity and prevents it from spreading.
Anti-virus utility
These are programs that translate high-level language programs into object code. Compilers translate the whole program as an object code at once while interpreters
translate it one statement at a time.
Compilers and interpreters
It is a computer program that manages the resources of a computer. It accepts keyboard or mouse inputs from users and displays the results of the actions and allows the user to run applications, or communicate with other computer via networked connections.
Operating System
Enumerate the six (6) Roles of Operating System
- Management of the processor
- Management of the random access memory (RAM)
- Management of input/output
- Management of execution of applications
- File Management
- Information Management
The operating system is responsible for managing allocation of the processor
between the different programs using a scheduling algorithm. The type of scheduler is totally dependent on the operating system, according to the desired objective.
Management of the processor
The operating system is responsible for managing the memory space allocated to each application and where relevant, to each user.
Management of the random access memory
The operating system allows unification and control of access of programs to material resources via drivers (also known as peripheral administrators or input/output administrators).
Management of input/output
The operating system is responsible for security relating to execution of programs by guaranteeing that the resources are used only by programs and users with the
relevant authorizations.
Management of execution of applications
The operating system manages reading and writing in the file system and the user and
application file access authorizations.
File Management
The operating system provides a certain number of indicators that can be used to
diagnose the correct operation of the machine.
Information Management
What are the three (3) Components of the Operating System
- The kernel
- The shell
- The file system
Which represents the operating system’s basic functions such as management of memory, processes, files, main inputs/outputs and communication functionalities.
The kernel
Allowing communication with the operating system via a control language, letting the user control the peripherals without knowing the characteristics of the hardware used, management of physical addresses,
etc.
The shell
Allowing files to be recorded in a tree structure.
The file system
Seven (7) Categories of Operating System
- Real-Time OS
- Single-user and single-task OS
- Single-user and multitask OS
- Multi-user O
- Network OS
- Internet/Web OS
- Mobile OS
Is installed in special purpose embedded systems like robots, cars, and modems.
Real-Time OS
Are installed on single-user devices like phones.
Single-user and single-task OS
Are installed on contemporary personal computers.
Single-user and multitask OS
Is installed in network environments where many users have to share resources. Server
OSs are examples of multi-user operating systems.
Multi-user OS
Is used to share resources such as files, printers in a network setup.
Network OS
Is designed to run on the browser that is online.
Internet/Web OS
Is designed to run on mobile phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
Mobile OS
The combination of operating system and processor.
Platform
It refers to the part of an operating system, program, or service that allows a user to enter and receive information.
The User Interface
Starting Your Computer
The Boot Process
What is the origin of the term “boot” in the context of the boot process, and what expression did it inspire?
The term “boot” comes from “bootstrap loader,” a small program used to start a larger one. It alludes to bootstraps, leather straps used to pull on boots.
This use of bootstraps led to the expression “pull oneself up by the bootstraps.”
The boot process consists of four (4) basic steps:
- The basic input/output system (BIOS) is activated by powering on the CPU.
- The BIOS checks that all attached devices are in place (called a power-on self-test or POST).
- The operating system is loaded into RAM.
- Configuration and customization settings are checked.
The piece of hardware that holds and runs disks; used as a top-level location criterion for a file. Your “hard disk” or
“hard drive” is usually designated with the letter “C” while your floppy disk/drive is usually named “A”
Drive
Refers to the manipulation of documents and data in files on a computer
Basic File Management
One document, one image, one something. In the world of computing, the terms “folder” and “file” are entirely separate, distinct and non-interchangeable. Folders contain files; files cannot contain folders. Files are represented by various icons that indicate which program is used to open them
File
The two or three or four letters after the dot in a filename. The file extension indicates what kind of file it is: its “format” or “type”
(.doc, .wpd, .txt, .htm, .html, .jpg, .exe)
File extension
Microsoft Word document
.doc
WordPerfect document
.wpd
Plain text document
.txt
A plain text document with added code that enables it to be read on the World Wide Web
.htm, .html
An image file
.jpg
An executable file, meaning an application/program/piece of hardware
.exe
The name of a file, including or not including its file extension.
Filename
The size of a file measured in bytes.
File size
Also “directory”. A division of a drive into which you put files or further folders (which are then called subdirectories).
Folder
The exact location of a file, including drive letter, directory, subdirectory, and filename.
Path
Three Steps for Data Back Up
- Archiving Critical Business Data
- Creating Physical Data Backups
- Off-Site Data Backup