Hardware and Software Flashcards
What is the difference between hardware and software?
Hardware: Physical components of a computer (e.g., CPU, RAM).
Software: Programs or instructions that run on hardware (e.g., applications, operating systems).
What are the three types of software? Provide one example for each.
General-purpose software: Off-the-shelf software like Microsoft Word.
- Bespoke software: Custom-built software for specific needs, e.g., custom payroll systems.
- Special-purpose software: Designed for a narrow task, e.g., ATM software.
What is one advantage and one disadvantage of off-the-shelf software?
Advantage: Cheaper and readily available.
Disadvantage: May not meet specific requirements.
What is utility software, and name one example.
Utility software performs specific maintenance tasks, such as a virus scanner.
What are the three types of translator software and their functions?
Assembler: Converts assembly language into machine code.
- Interpreter: Converts high-level code line by line (e.g., JavaScript).
- Compiler: Converts the whole high-level code into machine code at once (e.g., C++).
Name three key functions of an operating system.
- Efficient resource utilization.
- Memory management.
- Hides hardware complexities from the user.
Compare OS requirements for desktop PCs, mobile phones, and embedded systems.
Desktop PCs: Requires multitasking, large memory, and support for various peripherals.
Mobile Phones: Needs touch interfaces, mobile-friendly hardware, and power efficiency.
Embedded Systems: Minimal OS for specific tasks (e.g., a washing machine’s control system).
What is a real-time operating system (RTOS)? Provide an example.
An OS designed for time-critical tasks. Example: Robotics or medical devices.
What is virtual memory, and why is it used?
Virtual memory extends RAM by using storage as temporary memory to handle larger programs.
What is the difference between multiprogramming and multitasking?
Multiprogramming: Running multiple programs seemingly simultaneously on multi-user systems.
Multitasking: Running multiple tasks on a single-user system
What role does the operating system play in file management?
It keeps track of file locations and organizes data on secondary storage.
What are two CPU scheduling techniques?
- Scheduling: Assigns CPU time based on priority or order.
- Round-robin: Gives each process equal, time-limited CPU access.
What is the role of a driver in a computer?
A driver allows the OS to communicate with hardware devices.
How does an OS handle backing store management?
It transfers data between RAM and secondary storage and maintains directories for quick file location.
What does memory management involve?
Allocating and tracking RAM usage among processes.
