Module 2 Flashcards
Why are IT tools used?
Enhanced speed, accuracy, reliability, efficiency,
flexibility, communication, and presentation of
information, integration of processes, decision
making, storage, and retrieval of large volumes of data; manageability of tasks; external and
internal demands from users (including: clients,
competitors, suppliers, and employees).
What are the types and functions of major software tools
Financial packages: A broad category of software that deals with accounting and monetary transactions
Software development: A programming tool or software tool used to create, debug, maintain, or otherwise support other programs or applications.
Statistical tools: Used in collecting, summarising, and analyzing numerical data.
Word Processing: Creating professional looking documents such as reports, letters and booklets.
Desktop publishing: creating and editing documents such as newsletters, flyers, brochures and web pages.
Spreadsheets: Performs calculations, analyze information and visualize data.
Presentation tools, DBMS, Personal information tools.
What is an Operating system?
An operating system is a software, consisting of an integrated set of programs that controls computer resources (CPU, Memory, IO devices [Input and Output] etc.) and provides common services for efficient execution, of various applications software with an interface or virtual machine that is more convenient to use.
Examples of OS include:
Desktop (Windows, MacOS, Unix, Linux), Mobile
(Android, iOS).
What is the objectives of an OS?
- Making a Computer System User-Friendly
The OS acts as a software layer between hardware and users, providing a simpler interface (e.g., GUI) to interact with complex hardware.
Offers tools and services for efficient, safe, and convenient resource use.
Example: Windows/macOS hide hardware complexities, allowing users to click icons instead of typing binary commands.
Managing Computer Resources
The OS allocates and tracks resources like CPU, memory, storage, and I/O devices.
Granting/denying resource requests.
Resolving conflicts between programs/users.
Monitoring usage (e.g., preventing one program from hogging RAM).
Example: The OS ensures a game and browser run simultaneously without crashing the system.
What are the FUNCTIONS of an OS?
Main function of an operating system:
Process management-The OS manages many kinds of activities, ranging from user programs to system programs.
Memory management- To execute a program, it must be loaded, together with the data it accesses in the main memory. An OS takes care of the allocation and deallocation of memory space.
What are the major ACTIVITIES of an OS?
Major activities of an OS in reference to to memory management
-To keep track of which part of memory are currently being used by whom.
-To decide which process is loaded into memory, when memory space becomes available. To deallocate memory space as needed to deal with space management.
This involves five major activities:
1. The creation and deletion of files.
2. The creation and deletion of directions.
3. The support of privatives for manipulating files and directions.
4. The mapping of files into secondary storage.
5. The backup of files on stable storage media
What are some tools used to access information and communicate?
Communication software,
browsers, e-mail systems, fax, telephone,
computer, Internet: intelligent tools example:
chat-bot, interactive on-line services; telnet, ftp,
forum, blogs, Voice Over Internet Protocol
(VOIP), Broadcast List, Web Conferencing Tools,
Cross-Messaging Platforms.
