Fundamentals of Computer Systems Flashcards
What is hardware?
The physical components of the computer, both internal and external.
What is software?
The general term for all the programs that run on a computer.
What are the categories of software?
System software.
Application software
What does system software do?
It is essential to running the computer.
Boots up, manages hardware, connects devices and controls security features.
Manages the operating system, utilities, libraries and translators.
What does application software do?
Used for general tasks.
When writing an essay, sending emails, playing games and browsing the internet and web-page.
For general purpose, special purpose, bespoke and off-the-shelf software.
What does the operating system do?
It’s loaded into memory when a computer switches on.
It communicates and controls hardware.
Allows users to manage their files.
What are the 5 functions of the operating system?
File management
User interface
Memory management/ multitasking
Peripheral management and device drivers
Security (User Access Management)
Explain file management in terms of the operation system?
The OS manages copying moving, deleting etc. files such as documents, images, videos and music.
The file extensions identify the file type and provides the OS with the information to operate them correctly with the correct software.
The OS keeps track of files stored in the hard disk and how much space is available.
What is user interface?
Software that allows a user to control the computer system.
What is the Command-Line interface?
Where the user writes commands and the computer executes the commands.
What are advantages of Command-Line interface?
Faster
Less memory
Less CPU time
Can use low-resolution monitor
Doesn’t require graphics
What are the disadvantages of Command-Line interface?
Need to know commands
Precision typing
Not intuitive
What is a menu-drive interface?
A user interface where you pick what you want from a menu
What are the advantages of a menu-driven interface?
Easy to use
Doesn’t require much memory nor processing power
What are the disadvantages of a menu-driven interface?
May struggle if poorly designed
No search facility
What is a graphical user interface?
User interface with Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers.
What are the advantages of graphical user interface?
Easy to use
Help system
Search facility
What are the disadvantages of a graphical user interface?
More expensive
More memory and processing power
Addictive
Possibly slower
What is a sound and speed interface?
Software that takes the input of audio signals
What are the advantages of sound and speed interface?
More accessible
Easy to use
Convenient
More flexible
What are the disadvantages of sound and speed interface?
Unreliable
Limited vocabulary
Overcoming accents and tones
What does memory management / multitasking do in terms of the operating system?
The operating system is required to manage each open program and switch between programs.
It also allows users to open several programs at once.
What does peripheral management / device drivers do in terms of the operating system?
The operating system management controls the hardware devices and manages the software to control them, called device drivers.
What is a peripheral?
Something on the outside of a computer. Eg. Mouse, printer
What does the Security/ User Access Management do in terms of the operating system?
Security allows for users to have usernames and passwords, as well as access permission levels.
What is propriety software?
Software owned by an individual or a company.
The owner has exclusive rights over the source code and controls the use, modification and distribution of the software.
What are the advantages of proprietary software?
Good support
Security
Customisation
Legal protection
Advanced features
What are the disadvantages of proprietary software?
Expensive
Limited flexibility
Dependency on owner
Limited compatibility
What is open-source software?
Software where the source code is openly available to the public.
Anyone can view, use, modify and distribute the software.
What are the advantages of open-source software?
Cheap
Flexability
Always evolving
What are the disadvantages of open-source software?
Led by developers
Competing solutions
Limited/ costly support
Limited bug fixing
What is off-the-shelf software?
Software bought in shops.
What is the advantages of off-the-shelf software?
Cheap
Tested
User support
Easy to install
What is the disadvantages of off-the-shelf software?
Unwanted/ unused features
Non-customisable
Incompatibility
What is bespoke software?
Software written for a specific purpose.
What is the advantages of bespoke software?
Meets all needs
Works as designed
Ownership
What is the disadvantages of bespoke software?
Timely and expensive to develop
Limited support
What are utility programs?
Programs that perform specific tasks, related to the running of the computer.
What are the three utility programs?
Security
Disk organisation
System maintenance.
What are examples of security utility programs?
Antivirus software.
Firewalls
Patching tools
What are examples of disk organisation utility programs?
Defragmentation
Free up disk space
What are examples of system maintenance utility programs?
Managing files
Compression tools
What are libraries?
Code, data and resources that can be called by other programs.
What are translators?
Software that converts programs from one language to another.
What type of translators convert source code to machine code?
Interpreters
Compilers
How does an interpreter work?
Translates source code into machine code by translating it one line at a time.
What are the advantages of an interpreter?
If an error is found the program will stop running and show where the error occured.
What are the disadvantages of an interpreter compared to a compiler?
Slower
More space
How does a compiler work?
It translates the whole source code into machine code in one go before executing.
What are the advantages of an compiler compared to a interpreter?
Faster
Less space
What are the disadvantages of an compiler compared to a interpreter?
Errors might crash the program
Difficult to debug.
What is machine code?
The lowest level of code, 0’s and 1’s.
Computer processor can only work with machine code.
What is assembly language?
Code written using mnemonics, where a system of opcodes and operands are based on binary code.
What are advantages of machine code?
Maximum control over hardware.
Fast execution.
What are disadvantages of machine code?
Hard to write and understand
Unportable
What are advantages of assembly language?
Fine control over hardware as it allows direct manipulation of registers.
Fast execution.
What are disadvantages of assembly language?
Hard to write
Non-portable
What are high-level languages?
A computer language that is closer to a real language.
What are advantages of high-level language?
Easy to write and understand
Portable
Built-in libraries
Fast development
What are disadvantages of high-level language?
Slower execution
Less control over hardware
Larger program size.
What does an assembler do?
Translates assembly language into machine code.
What are the low-level languages?
Machin code
Assembly language
What is bytecode?
The intermediate step between source code and machine code.
What are the advantages of bytecode?
Allows for interpretation when it is required.
Interpreted according to architecture of the machine.
What are opcodes?
Commands.
What are operands?
Values
