Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Computer Science > Hardware and Software > Flashcards

Hardware and Software Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

what is an operating system

A

a program that acts as a bridge betweeen a user of a computer and the computer hardware

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what are the purposes of an operating system?

A
  • manages hardware
  • manages the applications installed
  • creates a user interface
  • provides a layer of security
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are the types of user interfaces

A
  • command line - shell responding to successive commmands
    • GUI -use icons and other visual indicators to issue commands
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are the four functions of an operating system
?

A
  • processor scheduling
  • backing store management
  • memory management
    • peripheral management
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

explain memory management

A
  • program needs to be loaded into RAM
  • OS controls the allocation and management of RAM
    • if there is no free space virtual memory is used
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

explain backing store management

A

OS mantains records of all files stored in secondary storage including information like their location and what user can access what

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

explain processor scheduling

A

OS controls which programs can send data to the processor to be processed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

explain multi-tasking

A

processor executes 1 process at a time but allows multiple applications to run by rapidly switching between processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what are the types of schedulers and explain

A
  • round robin - each process is given a slice of processing time
    • shortest job first
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Explain peripheral management

A
  • OS uses device drivers which are programs that convert between the peripheral signals and the OS signals
    • driver is the interface hiding the complexities of the hardware
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what are the types of software

A

system software and application software

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what are the types of application software

A
  • special purpose
  • general purpose
  • off the shelf
    • bespoke
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

explain special purpose software

A

performs a task for a single specific job e.g. payroll, media playhers, calendar programs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

explain general purpose software

A

performs a range of generic tasks e.g. word processor, spreadsheet software

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

explain bespoke software

A

softwaare which is created to fulfil exact specifications

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

explain off the shelf software

A

it is a type of special purpose software which is readily available

17
Q

what are the drawbacks of off the shelf software

A
  • you have little or no control of the features
    • it may not do exacty what you want
18
Q

what are the benefits of off the shelf software

A
  • readily available
  • cost is cheaper
  • likely to be well tested
19
Q

what are the benefits of bespoke software

A
  • fulfils exact specifications, you have complete control over functionality
20
Q

what are the disadvantages of bespoke software

A
  • may take a long time to produce
    • signifcant increase in price
21
Q

what are the types of system software

A
  • Library programs
  • Utility programs
  • Translators
  • Operating system
22
Q

what is system software

A

required to run and manage the computers hardware and application programs

23
Q

what is utility software

A

designed to analyse configure or mantain a computer system e.g.

  • disk defrag
    • virus checker
24
Q

what is a library?

A

it is a collection of precompiled routines that can be used by other programs e.g. python has random and math

25
Q

what is a translator?

A

it is used to translate code written in assembly language or high level languages into machine code

26
Q

define machine code

A

instructions comprised of pure binary, low level language

27
Q

what are the three types of translators?

A
  • compilers
  • interpreters
    • assemblers
28
Q

what does a compiler do?

A

translates high level language into an executable binary file which can be run without source code

29
Q

what does an interpreter do

A

translates high level langauges into machine code one line at a time immediately executing the instruction

30
Q

what does an assembler do

A

it converts assembly code into machine code

31
Q

point about low level languages

A
  • has the least abstraction (executed directly)
  • not portable as it corresponds to specific processor instruction set
    • requires less system resources, useful in embedded systems
32
Q

points jabout high level languages

A
  • understandble as it is close to english and math
  • portable
    • more abstract
33
Q

define imperative high level language

A

consists of commands for the computer to perform

34
Q

define declarative language

A

focuses on what the program should do without listing how

35
Q

what is byte code

A

program code that has been compiled from source code into low level code designed for a software interpreter

36
Q

what is an API

A

an application programming interface that hides the commplexities of the operating system

Computer Science (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions