Computing - Software

Question 1

What is disc defragmentation?

Answer 1

Moving data from the same sections next to each other on the disc
This can take a long time

Question 2

What are system maintenance tools?

Answer 2

Software that makes sure all features if a computer are functioning properly by preventing problems and providing solutions

Question 3

What is fragmentation?

Answer 3

When certain sections of data are split into different areas of a disc

Question 4

What 4 things does the system information utility provide?

Answer 4

Information about hard disk capacity, RAM, clock speed and if the computer is connected to Internet

Question 5

What are the 3 main groups of software?

Answer 5

System software which manages the computer to make sure it is working properly
Application software which is for the leisure of the user
Development software (developing programs)

Question 6

What are the 4 types of software to get?

Answer 6

Custom written, off-the-shelf, proprietary and open source

Question 7

What is custom written software?

Answer 7

Software that is tailored by a company to do exactly what you need

Question 8

What is off-the-shelf software?

Answer 8

Software that is bought from a company without it being custom made

Question 9

What is open source software?

Answer 9

Software released with its code so that it can be edited

It is always free

Question 10

What is proprietary software?

Answer 10

Software that is written by an individual or an organisation so that they own all the rights

Question 11

What is the operating system?

Answer 11

A piece of software that controls the hardware of a computer

Question 12

What are the 2 types of user interface?

Answer 12

Graphical user interface (GUI) and command line interface

Question 13

What is a peripheral?

Answer 13

Any device which is connected to and can communicate with a computer

Question 14

What is utility software?

Answer 14

Basic programs loaded with the operating system that perform maintenance

Question 15

What are the 6 types of system software?

Answer 15

Operating system
Device drivers
Firmware
Servers
Utilities
Interfaces

Question 15

What is the kernel?

Answer 15

The centre of the operating system which handles the low-level hardware operations

Question 15

What are the 3 states a process in multi-tasking can be in?

Answer 15

Running
Runnable
Waiting

Question 15

What is a device driver?

Answer 15

Programs that send signals called interrupts to the CPU so that the CPU stops its current processing so that it can deal with a process linked to a peripheral device

Question 15

What is firmware?

Answer 15

Software stored on ROM or in flash memory

Question 15

What are the 3 types of security?

Answer 15

Anti-virus
Anti-spyware
Firewall

Question 15

What does the compiler do?

Answer 15

Translates high-level code into machine code all at once and then executes it all

Question 15

What does an interpreter do?

Answer 15

Translates high-level into machine code one line at a time and executes it

Question 15

What do assemblers do?

Answer 15

Translates assembly language into machine code

Question 15

What do linkers do?

Answer 15

Connect together sub programs to create larger programs