GCSE computing OS(s) Flashcards
What are the functions of an OS?
user management, disk management, peripheral management, multitasking, driver management
List some types of utility software
antivirus, defragmentation, encryption, compression software
What are peripherals?
Input and output devices
What are drivers?
Software that communicate and control peripherals
What are the two main benefits of drivers?
-can be updated
-any device can be used with the OS as long as you have the driver
What is defragmentation?
When a file does not fit into a consecutive memory location on a computer, the computer splits the file up into different memory locations. Over time, files become more fragmented
What is the slowest part of the HDD?
the moving read/write arm
Why does defragmentation speed up computer performence?
The HDD’s moving arm is the slowest part, so if all the fragments are in the same place the arm does not need to move around as much
What does UCD stand for?
User-centered design
What does UI stand for?
User Interface
What does UX stand for?
User Experience
What is a GUI?
Graphical User Interface
What does WIMP stand for?
Windows, icons, menus, pointer
What is multitasking?
When an OS manages many tasks happening at the same time, eg using a web browser and playing music
What are interupts?
Signals sent to the CPU by external devices to indicate an event needs immediate attention. They tell the CPU to stop its current activities and execute appropriate instructions
What are software interupts?
Interupts given by programs, eg a divide-by-zero error
What are hardware interupts?
Generated by hardware devices, eg a printer-out-of-paper error
Give some examples of peripherals
mice, printers, keyboards, displays
What is needed to make a peripheral work?
A driver
How does the OS manage printing?
by organising data waiting to be printed into a queue. Once the printer is available the OS releases the next data from the queue to print. This means that other tasks (user and system) can continue while the data is in the queue.
how does the OS manage files?
making sure no files overwrite each other, managing where disk files are written and keeps track of where they are so they can be revived
Give an example of a multi-user OS
Linux
How does the OS manage user login and management?
stores all users and their passwords in a file or database
if a computer is used by multiple people each should only be able to see their files
users and system admins have different levels of access
some can read but not write, etc
How are file permissions stored in Linux and what do they mean?
rwx rwx rwx
The first set represents the user, the second the user’s group, and the third is for others
r means read, w means write, x means execute
