LU3 - System Software Flashcards

1
Q

BIOS ( Basic Input Ouput System)

A

A low-level software that resides in non-volatile ROM chip on computers motherboard

  • Activates POST(Power On Self Test)
  • Request information from CMOS(Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semi-conductor)
  • Locates the MBR (Master Boot Record)
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2
Q

Kernel

A

Core of computer’s operating system that remains in RAM

  • Takes input/output requests and translates them into instructions which CPU can process
  • Handles memory, keyboards, monitors, printers, speakers
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3
Q

CMOS (Complimentary Metal-oxide-semiconductor)

A

Is a battery packed, volatile memory that stores:

Hardware settings
- Types of hardware installed on computer such as Disk Drive
User Settings
- current data and time

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4
Q

UEFI Software (Unified Extended Firmware Interface)

A

Can boot from drives of 2.2 TB /larger
- Can run in 32-bit or 64-bit mode
- UEFI setup screens are a lot more friendly

  • Supports secure boot
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5
Q

Interrupts

A

A running program that is made up of multiple instructions to perform the task/s for the purpose(s) of the program

  • Signal sent to CPU from hardware or software indicating the need for CPU’s attention
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6
Q

Software Interrupts

A

Generated from programs

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7
Q

Hardware Interrupts

A

Signal is sent from device

Such as keyboard indicating that a key has been pressed, or a printer indicating it has run out of paper

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8
Q

IRQ (Interrupt Request Number)

A

Each device has its own unique IRQ which the CPU uses to identify which devices is interrupting it

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9
Q

IO Range

A

A buffer, a temporary storage area in RAM, used to speed up a slow input/output device

Speeds up reading from/write to significantly.
- By transferring the whole file instead of each line from file individually

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10
Q

Processing Techniques

A

Are designed to optimize the efficiency of a computer system

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11
Q

Multitasking

A

Technique used by operating system to appear to be using several program simultaneously

Several programs are stored in computers RAM and the CPU switches very short burst of processing time between running programs

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12
Q

Multi-threading

A

One program that has several different threads running at the same time

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13
Q

Virtual Memory

A

Extends the amount of date to be swapped between RAM and the hard disk

Uses both hardware and software to enable a computer to compensate for physical memory shortages

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14
Q

High-level languages

A

Coding languages
- where underlying workings of computer are hidden from programmer and are closer to human languages

(Python, JavaScript, Java)

These languages are utilized with the help of IDE’s

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15
Q

Low-Level Languages

A

Closer to machine language and generally refer to machine language or assembly language

(Binary and Hexa-Decimal)

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16
Q

Interpreters

A

Reads each program line, converts it to machine code and then executes it

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17
Q

Compilers

A

Compiled languages are transformed into an executable form before running

Different types of compilation:

Machine code Generation
- Compile source directly into machine code by creating a new file called object code
- is machine dependant; meaning that compiled program can only be executed on a machine for which it has been compiled

Intermediate Representations
- Firstly compiled into an intermediate representation called bytecode
- Secondly it can be executed without the need to re-read the source code

18
Q

Machine Cycle

A

Fetch
- A program instruction from memory (RAM or Cache)

Decode
- Understand instruction using CPU’s instruction set

Execute
- Instruction using data if necessary

Store
- Result obtained back in memory or send to an output place

19
Q

Operating systems

A

Are a large part of system software

: Usually provide several management and housekeeping tools and untilities that allow user to run computer efficiently

User Interface:
- Command Line Interface
Works via the user entering typed commands with a keyboard

Graphical user interface:
The OS provides user with Windows, Icons, Mouse control, pull-down menus

Load and run programs:
The OS loads, runs and controls application programs

Resource management:
OS manages the computer resources (CPU, RM, Monitor, Storage Devices etc.)

20
Q

Drivers

A

OS uses drivers to link hardware to software

such a way that computer can perform its tasks when applications need to send instructions to the particular hardware device

21
Q

Programming tools and Related Applications

A

Simply anything that is classified as a computer program that can be used to create programs that work on their own

Source code:
Is the original code written by programmer

Executable Code:
The source code is Compiled to a separate file called object code which is executable code

22
Q

Utilities

A

Defragmentation:

A disk defragmenter rearranges fragmented dat on a mechanical hard disk so your disk can work more efficiently

23
Q

Software Distribution And Licensing Models

A

A software license legaly describes how software can be used and copied

24
Q

Proprietary License

A

This license does not allow the software to be freely distributed or copied

25
Q

Free or Open Source License

A

These share the source code of the software; and are referred to as copyleft licenses

26
Q

Creative Commons license

A

Allows you to keep the copyright of your work but still allows people to copy and distribute your work on the condition that they acknowledge your work

27
Q

Freeware

A

Is software that is copyrighted but given away by the author without any cost for the user to use, but not to resell

28
Q

Freemium Software

A

Is a variant of freeware where limited functions are provided free at no cost, but additional or more advanced features incur a cost

29
Q

Management of Files and Folders

A

A file structure is needed for the computer to know where files are stored

30
Q

Cloud-Base Storage

A

Dat is stored remotely as opposed to locally

  • Is accessible through the internet and certain applications
31
Q

Compressing

A

File Compression programs reduce the size of files

  • so they take up less storage or easier to transfer over the internet
32
Q

Decompression

A

All compression utilities contain a decompression utility to extract the compressed file

33
Q

Archive(ing)

A

Storing file in a compressed state for safe keeping when not in use

34
Q

Back-up

A

Is a way of making a copy of files or folder in case of data loss to a seperate location

  • backups can be automated
35
Q

Adding devices and drivers

A

Most drivers that are not provided with a device are downloaded from the interent

36
Q

Schedule(ing)

A

A scheduling utility may exist in the operating system on your computer

  • allows programs to run automatically at specified times with specified conditions (updates)
37
Q

Updating

A

Updating the operating system of a device over the internet, may allow new features and fixing prior versions issues

38
Q

Firewall

A

A device or set of devices that are designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules

used to protect networks from unauthorised access

39
Q

Malware

A

Any program or file that is harmful to a computer

Virus
- can be obtained from:
Infected flash drives
Internet Sites
Email attachments
links

40
Q

Spyware

A

Computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a PC to intercept or take partial control over the users interaction with the computer

41
Q

Adware

A

is unwanted software that automatically displays or downloads tocomputer

42
Q

Anti-malware

A

Programs necessary to safeguard from malicious threats

Antivirus
- Software that needs to be continously updated to find the signature, and identifying piece of code embedded in virus program