Operating System(OS)

Question 1

What is application software?

Answer 1

Software designed to handle specific tasks for users.
E.G word processors, internet browsers, games etc

Question 2

What is system software?

Answer 2

Performs the task needed to operate the hardware, and procide services for other software
E.G OS, Game engines, Utility programs (encryption, backup)

Question 3

What is OS?

Answer 3

A operating system(OS) is the essential software that links the hardware and other software together and generally manages the computer system.

Question 4

Purposes of OS

Answer 4

• manages the hardware (only the OS can interact directly with it)
• manages the applications installed
  (inc. utility software)
• creates a user interface (an abstraction from the hardware)
• provides a layer of security

Question 5

What are the 2 types of user interface?

Answer 5

Command-line interface(CLI)
Graphical User Interface(GUI)

Question 6

What is CLI?

Answer 6

Command-line Interface(CLI) is a shell that responds to successful text commands
More direct and compact

Question 7

What is GUI?

Answer 7

Graphical User Interface(GUI) uses icons and other visual indicators to navigate and issue commands

Question 8

What is a process?

Answer 8

A program being executed by a processor

Question 9

How does process management work?

Answer 9

A single-tasking OS executes 1 process at a time, suspending it with interrupts if necessary
A multi-tasking OS executes 1 process at a time, but allows multiple applications to run by rapidly switching between processes
The OS allocates CPU time for each process, and prioritises them in order or importance

Question 10

Explain memory management

Answer 10

When a user opens a program, it needs to be loaded into the RAM
The OS oversees the allocation and management of RAM space
If there is no space left, virtual memory may be used
Different program data/instructions are kept separate = security

Question 11

What is peripheral management?

Answer 11

supplementary hardware
E.G keyboard, printers, cameras

Question 12

How do peripheral management work?

Answer 12

The OS uses device drivers, which are programs that convert between the peripheral signals, and the OS signals
A driver is an interface, hiding the complecites of the hardware

Question 13

What is user management?

Answer 13

managing the usernames/passwords, and account creation
In multi-user OSs, there are user account controls

Question 14

What is file management?

Answer 14

An OS maintains records of all files stored in secondary storage, including information like their location (relative to folders), and what user can access to what