general theory Flashcards

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1
Q

operating system

A

a collection of suite programs that manages and controls the computer. It keeps the details of how this is done hidden from the user

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2
Q

the main functions performed by an operating system (4)

A
  1. file management
  2. process management
  3. hardware management
  4. user interface management
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3
Q

common operating systems (5)

A
  1. Microsoft Windows
  2. macOS
  3. Linux
  4. Android
  5. iOS
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4
Q

how is data stored in files within folders within drives

A

by creating a virtual file structure of the physical components. It has a hierarchal structure starting with the root directory, a bit like an upside down tree

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5
Q

the file system assigns meta data to each file including:

A
  1. date created
  2. date modified
  3. last date accessed
  4. last backup
  5. file creator user ID
  6. access permissions
  7. file size
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6
Q

functions users can perform on files (6)

A
  1. create
  2. name/rename
  3. save
  4. copy
  5. move
  6. delete
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7
Q

multiprograming

A

enables several programs to run at the same time

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8
Q

process

A

when some of the program instructions are running

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9
Q

what is process management

A

since the main memory is too small to run all the processes, the operating system uses multi-processing to allocate the use of the main memory and the CPU.

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10
Q

what is hardware management?

A

when the operating system manages input and output from hardware devices and the use of any resources needed by a process

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11
Q

input/output management

A

device drivers allow devices created by different manufacturers to communicate

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12
Q

resource management

A

the operating system allocates the required resource to the processes that are currently running. Internally, the operating system ensures that any data and/or instructions in main memory do not conflict with each other, and allocates the memory that the process requires

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13
Q

user interface management

A

operating systems provide interfaces to users of the computer system, allowing them to communicate with the hardware. The operating system uses abstraction to hide complexity from the user

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14
Q

the two types of interface

A
  1. graphic user interface (GUI)

2. command line interface/interpreter (CLI)

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15
Q

graphical user interface (GUI)

A

a desktop view where everything is displayed and use WIMP (windows, icons, menus and pointer) to describe the features of this interface

Applications run in windows and all objects (apps, hardware and files) are represented by icons.

Application features are accessible through the use of menus.

Users interact with the interface by using a mouse and onscreen pointer.

GUIs are powerful and easy to use but require a lot of processing power

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16
Q

command line interfaces

A

CLIs are text based. Users control the computer by typing in commands.

CLIs require little processing power and are extremely powerful

but they take longer to learn how to use than GUI

they exist within modern operating systems e.g. the command prompt app in windows, and terminal in macOS

17
Q

utility software

A

helps maintain the system

18
Q

what is utility software used for?

A
  1. compression
  2. defragmentation
  3. backing up
  4. anti-virus
  5. anti-spyware
19
Q

T/F most basic utility is part of the operating system, but additional utilities can also be installed separately

A

true

20
Q

data compression

A

compression software reduces the size of a file on secondary storage

21
Q

why do we have data compression?

A

smaller files are easier to transmit across a network as they require fewer packets to be sent. Their reduced size also means more files can be stored in any given area of storage

22
Q

fragmentation explanation

A

when a file is stored on a hard disk it is not stored as a whole file, but as a series of segments. Sometimes the segments run together in sequence and sometimes are split up over a disk

23
Q

fragmentation

A

the storing of a file in several separate areas of memory scattered throughout a hard disk.

24
Q

why can fragmentation make a computer run slower?

A

over time, more and more files become fragmented. A fragmented disk takes longer to read from and write to making a computer run slower

25
Q

defragmentation

A

defragmentation takes the fragmented files and rearranges the segments so that they run contiguously, This decreases the read/write time, thereby speeding up computer performance

26
Q

why do we need data back up?

A

data can be lost accidentally or deliberately. A user may accidentally delete or overwrite a file or a hard disk may fail, preventing access to any files stored on it. A hacker or malicious user may deliberately delete or overwrite data

26
Q

why do we need data back up?

A

data can be lost accidentally or deliberately. A user may accidentally delete or overwrite a file or a hard disk may fail, preventing access to any files stored on it. A hacker or malicious user may deliberately delete or overwrite data

27
Q

data back up

A

regular copies of the data are made to prevent data loss. if data loss occurs, data can be retrieved from backup. The software allows all backed up files to be retrieved, or just special files

28
Q

what are the two types of back up that are possible?

A

full backup

incremental backup

29
Q

full backups

A

involves making a copy of every file on the computer network. This can require a lot of storage space and can be consuming to make

30
Q

incremental backups

A

incremental backups take a copy of any new files created since the last backup and of any files that have been edited, such as user documents

31
Q

how do network managers ensure all data is backed up and daily backups are small and less time consuming?

A

most network managers make an initial full backup and then switch to daily incremental backups

32
Q

anti-virus

A

scans the computer system, with when activated or automatically at a specific time and identifies potential viruses. Many anti-virus software can delete or fix potential threats.

33
Q

why do we need anti-spyware?

A

spyware installed without the knowledge of the user, designed to collect data about the user such as personal info or bank details that can be passed on in identity theft.

34
Q

anti-spyware

A

anti-spyware software can find, then delete, the spyware. Some versions can prevent it being installed in the first place

35
Q

simulation

A

computer simulation can be used to simulate and model aspects of the real world. Simulation is used to test a theory before it is turned into a physical or practical form

36
Q

why is simulation useful?

A

physically dangerous situations can be prevented

different simulations can give options that can help decision making

unnecessary costs can be avoided

37
Q

modelling

A

a model is a representation of a real life situation