operating systems

Question 1

what are the 2 types of softwares that computers need so that they can be useful?

Answer 1

• system software

- application software

Question 2

what is a system software? and what does it include?

Answer 2

• It is a program that allows the computer to function.

- it includes the operating system and utility programs

Question 3

what is an application software? and what does it include?

Answer 3

• This is a program in which users interact with most.

- it includes spreadsheets, web browsers and games

Question 4

what is the most important software in a computer system?

Answer 4

the operating system (SO)

Question 5

what is the operating system’s main function?

Answer 5

is to provide a platform for other softwares, so that this software
can interact with the computer hardware.

Question 6

what are examples of common operating computer systems?

Answer 6

• Microsoft Windows (desktops, laptops and tablets)
• macOS (Apple Macs)
• Linux (desktops, laptops and servers).

Question 7

what are a computers 4 main functions?

maybe

• manage the computer’s resources ( central processing unit, memory disk driver, printers)
• establish a user interface
• execute and provide services for applications software.

Answer 7

• process management: it organises instructions in memory so that they can be processed.
• file management: it organises the contents of secondary storage.
• User management: provides a user interface and access levels.
• Peripheral management: it interferes with device drivers to control physical devices.

Question 8

what does CPU stand for?

Answer 8

it stands for Central Processing Unit.

Question 9

what does the the operating system do to CPU?

Answer 9

• it manages its use

- the operating system gives each program a share of CPU time.

Question 10

what do device drivers communicate with?

Answer 10

they communicate with peripheral devices

Question 11

what do drivers do?

Answer 11

• translate commands from operating systems
• have commands devices understand.
  (eg. sending a document to a printer)

Question 12

what do operating systems react to?

Answer 12

it reacts to commands received from devices

eg. if a mouse is moved, pointer on screen needs to move

Question 13

how are drivers installed

Answer 13

by plug and play

Question 14

what do managing applications do?

Answer 14

• sends and receives instructions to and from applications

- send instructions to hardware on behalf of applications

Question 15

what do applications need access to?

Answer 15

to operating systems NOT hardware operations

an application opens a file with the permission of an operating system NOT a hardware

Question 16

what does managing users do?

Answer 16

it provides a mathod for users to gain access: loggin and username and password

Question 17

what are other methods for managing users?

Answer 17

• fingerprint
• swipe card
• facial recognition
• personal identification number (PIN)

Question 18

what does file management do?

Answer 18

• it manages the files in secondary storage.

- files are stored in folders

Question 19

what do file systems allow users to do?

Answer 19

• open files
• create new files
• search for files
• delete files
• restore deleted files
• move files
• copy files

Question 20

what is a user interface?

Answer 20

• it is a method for a user to communicate with the computer.

Question 21

what do modern interfacer tend to be?

Answer 21

it tends to be Graphical Users Interfaces (GUI)

Question 22

what do smartphones and tablets include?

Answer 22

• touch enable interface
• responding to being shaken
• functionality to automatically rotate contents of the screen

Question 23

what do older systems use?

Answer 23

Command line interface (CLI)

Question 24

what are 3 facts about Command line interface (CLI)?

Answer 24

• still used today by advanced users
• can run commands not possible using GUI
• easy to make mistakes