Computers: Software Terms

Question 1

What is a low level language?

Answer 1

A language much closer to binary that can be used to control hardware directly so are CPU specific

Question 2

What are 2 examples of low level languages?

Answer 2

Machine Code:
- The binary code understood by the computer E.g. 0110 might mean ADD

Assembly Language:
- A mnemonic used to remember the binary. It is a direct translation of the binary. E.g. ADD might be used instead of 0110 as it is easier to remember

Question 3

What is a high level language?

Answer 3

• A language that is closer to a ‘human’ language (English). E.g. Python
• They need translating into binary.
• They are not hardware specific

Question 4

What is a Translator?

Answer 4

A program that turns high level languages into binary.

Question 5

What is an Interpreter?

Answer 5

• A translator that translates one line at a time. This allows better error checking. E.g. error on line 1
• Creates less efficient code
• Need access to source code in order tot run program.

Question 6

What is a Compiler?

Answer 6

• A translator that translates the whole code at once.
• Can give more efficient translations and creates an executable file (.EXE)

Question 7

What is Robust Software?

Answer 7

Software that can handle unexpected actions and not crash

Question 8

What is a Code Review?

Answer 8

• Getting someone else (or software to do it automatically) to check code for inefficiencies, vulnerabilities and agreed standards

Question 9

What are Audit Trails?

Answer 9

• Keep track of who makes what changes to code and when.
• Version control helps here

Question 10

What is an Operating System?

Answer 10

System software that acts as interface between hardware and software and provides a way for a user to interact with the system

Question 11

What are the Roles of the OS?

Answer 11

Process Management - Scheduling algorithms for multitasking and prioritising processes.

Memory Management - Manages which processes are in memory. Virtual memory is used if memory is full.

File Management - Root directory, directories and subdirectories held in the tree structure. You can Read, Write, Execute, or Delete files

User Management - Access control but also a user interface. Usually GUI or CLI

Peripheral Management - Device drivers used for additional items of hardware such as keyboards, graphics cards etc.

Question 12

What are the main examples of Utility Software?

Answer 12

Compression Software - Lossy (removes some data from file) and lossless (repackage original file and lose no data E.g. Zip)

Disk Defragmentation - Moves data blocks closer to each other speeding up Read/Write. ONLY MAGNETIC DRIVES

Backup Software
Recovery Software
File Repair
Anti - Malware