COMPUTER SOFTWARE Flashcards
What are the two types of software?
- System software
- Application software
What are software versions?
The new releases of software products by software developers in an effort to improve performance of the software
Why are the advantages of new software versions?
New versions of software may:
• Fix ‘bugs that were present in the previous version
• Address and fix security issues from an earlier
version
• Introduce enhanced or additional features
• Take advantage of advances in software and
computer technology
• Provide updated compatibility with new peripheral
devices e.g. new models of digital cameras
What is system software?
Software required to control the working of hardware and aid in effective execution of a
general user’s application. System software is not a single program. It is a collection of programs that handle the technical details with little or no user intervention
What is an operating system?
A set of programs
containing instructions that work together to
coordinate all the activities among computer
hardware resources
What are the types of programs in system software
1.Operating Systems coordinate computer resources,
provide an interface between users and the
computer, and run applications
2. Utilities perform specific tasks related to managing
computer resources
3. Device drivers are specialized programs that allow
input and output devices to communicate with the
rest of the computer system
4. Language translators convert programming
instructions written by programmers into a language
that computers understand and process.
What are the functions of system software
•operates and maintains computers system
• supports development and execution of
application software
• ensure effective use of hardware resources
• controls operations of peripheral devices.
What are the functions of Operating Systems?
• Managing resources: they coordinate all the
computer’s resources including memory,
processing, storage, and devices such as printers
and monitors.
• Monitoring system performance, schedule tasks,
provide security, and start up the computer.
• Providing user interface: the allow users to
interact with application programs through a user
interface.
• Running applications: they load and run
applications such as word processors. Most OS
support multitasking which enable users to switch
between different applications stored in memory.
• It controls and manages the file storage system.
*see phone for diagram
What is the difference between GUI and CLI?
• An operating system can have either a graphical user interface (GUI) or a command-line interface. In GUI users interact with the graphics they see onscreen by using a keyboard or mouse or using a finger or stylus on a touch screen. While in a command-line interface, users employ a keyboard to type commands at a prompt; the interface is text-only. CLI- Server OS mostly GUI- PC OS mostly
What are the two ways to boot a computer?
– A warm boot: occurs when a computer is already on and you restart it
– A cold boot: starting a computer that has been turned off
What are the features of GUI
• Operating Systems store data and
programs in a system of files(used to store data and programs) and folders(Related files)
• Icons- graphical representation for a
program, type of file or function
• Pointer- controlled by a mouse, trackball
or touchscreen
• Window- rectangular areas for displaying
information and running programs
• Menus- provide a list of options or
commands that can be selected
• Tabs- divide menus into major activity areas
• Dialog boxes- provide information or request
input.
• Help- provide online assistance for operating
system functions and procedures.
• Gesture control- ability to control operations
with finger movements such as swiping,
sliding and pinching
What are the categories of Operating Systems?
• Embedded Operating Systems: these OS are
entirely stored within a device eg smart watches , smartphones and other small electronic devices
• Desktop Operating Systems: also called stand-alone operating systems, control a single desktop
or laptop computer. These operating systems are
located on the computer hard disk. eg windows
• Network Operating System: are used to control and coordinate computers that are networked or
linked together. They are typically located on one of the connected computers’ hard disk called the network server. Eg windows server
What type of OS is a mobile OS
a type of embedded operating system
Why will not all applications run on a particular OS
This is because an application is designed to run on a particular operating system or software platform.
• Before downloading an application, be sure that it is designed to run with the mobile operating system on your mobile device
Give examples of Desktop Operating Systems
- Windows
- Mac OS
- UNIX-widely used by
servers on the web, mainframe computers and very powerful desktop computers
LINUX- open source
