Computer systems Flashcards

1
Q

Operating system

A

software that controls the computer’s hardware and software resources - acts as a bridge between user and computer hardware

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2
Q

Application Programming Interface (API)

A

layer of software that allows application programs to call on the services of the operating system

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3
Q

Memory management

A

optimizes the use of the computer or device’s internal memory so that memory is allocated efficiently between processes that are running

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4
Q

Processor scheduling

A

determines the order in which processes will be executed, which allows for multi-tasking

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5
Q

Scheduler

A

OS module responsible for making sure that processor time is used as efficiently as possible

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6
Q

Virtual memory

A

process of optimizing RAM storage by borrowing hard drive space

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7
Q

Backing store management

A

tracks where files and programs are stored and which parts are available for storage - allows user to move, delete and protect files and folders from unauthorised access

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8
Q

Peripheral management

A

ensures efficient communication with I/O devices and manages functionality issues

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9
Q

Interrupt handling

A

process of handling interrupt signal from a peripheral or software program that disrupts OS processing of its current list

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10
Q

Multi-tasking

A

appearance of running more than one application in memory simultaneously

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11
Q

Machine code

A

uses only zeros and ones to represent instructions

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12
Q

Accumulator

A

register inside the processor in which arithmetic calculations are carried out

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13
Q

Opcode

A

part of the instruction that specifies which operation the processor should perform

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14
Q

Operand

A

contains value/set of values relevant to opcode - can be actual data or reference to memory location of data

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15
Q

Assembly language

A

allows programmers to write human-readable code that represent binary equivalent in machine code

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16
Q

High-level language

A

programming language designed to be easy for humans to read and write

17
Q

Low-level language

A

programming language designed to be easy for a computer to execute - also called machine language or assembly language

18
Q

Compiler

A

A program that translates instructions or code into an executable form for the computer - does NOT execute code

19
Q

Interpreter

A

converts a program written in a higher level language into a lower level language and executes it line-by-line

20
Q

Assembler

A

that translates an assembly-language program into executable machine code

21
Q

Bytecode

A

source code that has been compiled into low-level code designed to run on a virtual machine

22
Q

Hardware

A

describes electrical or electro-mechanical part of a computer and its input, output and storage devices

23
Q

Software

A

programs and other operating information used by a computer

24
Q

System software

A

software needed to run the computer’s hardware and application programs

25
Disk defragmenter
tool that reorganises the files and unused space on a computer's hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster
26
Virus checker
utility program that seeks out and eliminates viruses
27
Libraries
ready-compiled programs which can be run when needed and are grouped together in software libraries
28
Application software
consists of programs that perform specific user-oriented tasks
29
General purpose software
software that can be used for many different tasks
30
Special purpose software
software designed to support one specific task or set of tasks
31
"off-the-shelf"
standardised software applications that are mass-produced, available to the general public, and can be used immediately after purchase
32
Bespoke software
software that is custom-made for a specific task or for a specific company