Chapter 5 : System Sofware Flashcards
What does main memory management do
Ensures two programs dont use the same space: memory protection
Use of virtual memory
Location of processes within the memory at any one time
What does a hard disk formatter do
Makes existing data inaccessible
Prepares disk for internal use
Partitions disk into logical drives
Why does a PC need an operating system
Hardware is unusable without an OS//hides complexity from user
Provides software platform/environment on which programs can be run
Interface between hardware and software
What is the purpose of a translator
Converts a high level language to a different form
Assemblers, Compilers, Interpreters
What utility software is provided by an operating system
Hard disk formatter
Virus Checker
Defragmentation software
Disk content analysis/repair software
File compression software
Backup software
What does hardware management do
Installation of appropriate device driver software
Manages communication between hardware and software/devices
Controls data being sent to and from peripherals
What does process management do
Scheduling of processes/multitasking
Resolution of conflicts when two or more processes require the same space
What are they key management tasks carried out by an operating system
Memory management
Security management
Process management
Hardware management
File management
Why is interpreter needed
During development
Debugging is easier
Errors reported as found
Can be corrected as found
Changes seen immediately
Why is a compiler needed
Used when development cycle is complete
Produces executable file
After compilation compiler does not need to be present for program to be run
Does not need to be recompiled each time run
What does security management do
Ensures data privacy
Provides usernames, passwords accounts
Makes provisions for recovery when data is lost
What does backup software do
Creates copy of disk contents
Allows user to decide what is backed up
Allows user to set up offsite backup
May encrypt backup files
What does DCA/repair software do
Checks for bad sectors
Resolves errors on disk
Marks bad sectors as unusable
Recovers disk when data corrupted
What features are found in IDEs
pretty printing
Expand and collapse code blocks
Context sensitive code blocks
Dynamic syntax checks
Single stepping
Breakpoints
Report window
expressions
What does file/secondary storage management do
Maintains directory structures
Provides file naming conventions
Controls access
