End of Unit Quiz – Unit 1.5 System Software

Question 1

1. What is meant by system software?

Answer 1

• Interface between the hardware and applications
• Program that runs application programs and computer hardware
• Computer software that helps the computer to run.

Question 2

2. What is an operating system?

Answer 2

• Collection of software that tells the computer hardware what to do.
• Software that allows the computer to run applications.
• Software that controls the operations of a computer.
• System software that manages the computer.

Question 3

3. Operating systems are sometimes referred to as a platform. What is meant by a platform?

Answer 3

Environment where applications/programs/software can run.

Question 4

4. What is the purpose of the kernel in an operating system?

Answer 4

• Takes care of all the low-level hardware operations.
• Used to operate the hardware.
• Connects applications to the hardware.

Question 5

5. What is meant by a user interface?

Answer 5

• A computer design that allows the user to interact with the computer.
• Human-computer interaction.
• A visual for human to interact with the computer.
• Graphical or textual or auditory information that a program presents to the computer user.

Question 6

6. What is meant by a Graphic User Interface (GUI)?

Answer 6

• A user interface that uses graphics/images and words to represent the interaction between the end user and a computer.
• Icons to represent actions and resources.

Question 7

7. How is a Command Line Interface (CLI) used?

Answer 7

User provides a text input/command/string using the computer keyboard and the computer displays/prints/outputs text on the monitor.

Question 8

8. What is meant by a multitasking operating system?

Answer 8

• Many (multiple) tasks/instructions that can be executed on a single computer simultaneously.
• Operating system has several processes running at the same time.

Question 9

9. Windows is a commonly used operating system. What are two others?

Answer 9

• Unix
• Linux
• Mac OS
• iOS
• DOS
• Chrome
• Accept any handheld operating systems – Android, Windows Mobile OS, Palm OS, Symbian OS

Question 10

10. Describe what is meant by memory management.

Answer 10

Management/organisation of memory at the system level. Memory management is used to allocate free memory to programs that need it, and free up memory where it is not needed.
Process of controlling the computer’s memory to optimise its system performance.

Question 11

11. Describe what is meant by peripheral management.

Answer 11

Allows a computer’s external devices to communicate with the computer system.
Controls external devices by sending them commands

Question 12

12. What is the purpose of a device driver?

Answer 12

• Software that uses signals to control the computers’ devices.
• Software that takes care of the actions of the computers’ devices.
• A program that enables the computers’ devices to communicate with the computer.

Question 13

13. In a network what is meant by user management?

Answer 13

• The administrative feature of a computer system to control user access into a network.
• Authentication feature of a computer that allows an administrator to be added or amend user details on a network.

Question 14

14. What is meant by file management?

Answer 14

• A system that is used by the operating system to organise and keep track of files.
• A software that manages data files.

Question 15

15. What is meant when a message is described as encrypted?

Answer 15

When a scrambled message is sent from one computer to another computer and is only able to unscramble the message using of a key/secret code.

Question 16

16. What is the purpose of encryption software?

Answer 16

Software that encrypts (and decrypts) files on a hard disk/data packets over a network.

Question 17

17. Describe how an encrypted email message is sent and received.

Answer 17

The original message is scrambled
….using a large digital number/key.
The receiver will use the key to unscramble and then receive the original message.

Question 18

18. What is a disadvantage of always sending encrypted messages?

Answer 18

• Takes longer for messages to be sent/received since it needs to be scrambled and then unscrambled.
• A digital certificate is required as it contains part of the key/special code.

Question 19

19. What is the encryption method used by web browsers to encrypt details of purchases?

Answer 19

Secure Socket Layer/SSL.

Question 20

20. What is meant by defragmentation?

Answer 20

The process of physically organising the mass storage device into the smallest number of fragments.

Question 21

21. What is meant by data compression?

Answer 21

When a device uses fewer bits to transmit the same amount of data.

Question 22

22. Files and folders can be archived or copied to secure data from being list. This is known as a backup.
    a. What is meant by a full backup?
    b. What is meant by an incremental backup?
    c. What are two advantages for making an incremental backup instead of a full backup?

Answer 22

a ) When data from all files and folders are backed up.

b ) Stores the changes made since the last backup.

c ) * Takes less time to backup.
* Takes up less memory.
* Allows for more frequent backups.