operating systems Flashcards
what are the 2 types of softwares that computers need so that they can be useful?
- system software
- application software
what is a system software? and what does it include?
- It is a program that allows the computer to function.
- it includes the operating system and utility programs
what is an application software? and what does it include?
- This is a program in which users interact with most.
- it includes spreadsheets, web browsers and games
what is the most important software in a computer system?
the operating system (SO)
what is the operating system’s main function?
is to provide a platform for other softwares, so that this software
can interact with the computer hardware.
what are examples of common operating computer systems?
- Microsoft Windows (desktops, laptops and tablets)
- macOS (Apple Macs)
- Linux (desktops, laptops and servers).
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.
- 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.
what does CPU stand for?
it stands for Central Processing Unit.
what does the the operating system do to CPU?
- it manages its use
- the operating system gives each program a share of CPU time.
what do device drivers communicate with?
they communicate with peripheral devices
what do drivers do?
- translate commands from operating systems
- have commands devices understand.
(eg. sending a document to a printer)
what do operating systems react to?
it reacts to commands received from devices
eg. if a mouse is moved, pointer on screen needs to move
how are drivers installed
by plug and play
what do managing applications do?
- sends and receives instructions to and from applications
- send instructions to hardware on behalf of applications
what do applications need access to?
to operating systems NOT hardware operations
an application opens a file with the permission of an operating system NOT a hardware
what does managing users do?
it provides a mathod for users to gain access: loggin and username and password
what are other methods for managing users?
- fingerprint
- swipe card
- facial recognition
- personal identification number (PIN)
what does file management do?
- it manages the files in secondary storage.
- files are stored in folders
what do file systems allow users to do?
- open files
- create new files
- search for files
- delete files
- restore deleted files
- move files
- copy files
what is a user interface?
- it is a method for a user to communicate with the computer.
what do modern interfacer tend to be?
it tends to be Graphical Users Interfaces (GUI)
what do smartphones and tablets include?
- touch enable interface
- responding to being shaken
- functionality to automatically rotate contents of the screen
what do older systems use?
Command line interface (CLI)
what are 3 facts about Command line interface (CLI)?
- still used today by advanced users
- can run commands not possible using GUI
- easy to make mistakes
