Operating systems

Question 1

What is system software?

Answer 1

System software is responsible for the technical details of different software and hardware.

Question 2

What are the four kinds of system software programs?

Answer 2

The four kinds of system software applications are operating system, utilities, device driver, and language translator.

Question 3

What are utilities?

Answer 3

Utilities perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources.

Question 4

What are the essential utilities?

Answer 4

Search programs, storage management programs, backup programs, antivirus programs, troubleshooting (diagnostic) programs, and virtual assistants.

Question 5

What are device drivers?

Answer 5

Device drivers are specialized programs that allow particular input or output devices to communicate with the rest of the system.

Question 6

What is a language translator?

Answer 6

A language translator converts programming instructions written by programmers into a language the computer can understand and process.

Question 7

What is an operating system?

Answer 7

An operating system is the most important computer program, without it, a computer would be useless. It’s a mix of various programs that help with the technical details of a computer system.

Question 8

What are some functions of an operating system?

Answer 8

Managing resources, providing user interface, and running applications.

Question 9

How does an operating system manage resources?

Answer 9

Operating systems monitor system performance, schedule tasks, provide security, start up the computer, and manage the various components of a computer from memory to storage, and even devices such as printers.

Question 10

How does an operating system provide user interface?

Answer 10

Operating systems use a user interface to help users interact with applications programs and hardware. Originally, this was done with written commands, but now, most operating systems have made the switch to GUI.

Question 11

How do operating systems help run applications?

Answer 11

Operating systems help run and load applications and are typically able to multitask as well. Although some don’t have this feature, the majority of operating systems are able to allow multiple applications to run at the same time.

Question 12

What are the different features of an operating system?

Answer 12

Icons, pointers, windows, menus, tabs, dialogue boxes, help, and gesture control.

Question 13

What are the different categories of operating systems?

Answer 13

Embedded operation systems (RTOS), stand-alone operating systems, and network operating systems.

Question 14

What are real-time operating systems?

Answer 14

Embedded operation systems (RTOS), are stored entirely in the device. Usually designed for a specific application, embedded operating systems can control various small electronic devices.

Question 15

What are stand-alone operating systems?

Answer 15

Stand-alone operating systems (desktop operating systems) control a desktop or laptop and are located on the computer’s hard disk. If a computer is connected to the network then the stand-alone operating system will work with the network to share and coordinate resources. Two examples of this are Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows.

Question 16

What is NOS?

Answer 16

Network operating system (NOS) controls and coordinates linked or networked computers.

Question 17

What is mobile OS?

Answer 17

Mobile operating systems are a type of embedded operating system. Similar to other computer systems, mobile computers also require an operating system but, are less complicated and more specialized for wireless communication.

Question 18

What is Windows?

Answer 18

Windows is a widely known and used operating system that comes in various versions and is designed to work with different microprocessors.

Question 19

What is macOS?

Answer 19

MacOS is designed to run only with Apple computers, causing there to be fewer application programs written for it, however with increasing sales, macOS has become widely recognized.

Question 20

What is macOS High Sierra?

Answer 20

MacOS High Sierra provides faster and more secure data storage, improved video compression, and virtual reality support with a new file system.

Question 21

What is macOS Mojave?

Answer 21

MacOS Mojave includes an updated app store and improved consistency with iOS. With macOS Mojave a new feature called dark mode followed. It introduced darker colour palettes to improve image contrast and reduce eye strain.

Question 22

What is UNIX?

Answer 22

UNIX is an operating system originally developed to run on minicomputers in network environments. Now with multiple versions UNIX is widely used by servers on the web, mainframe computers, and very powerful personal computers.

Question 23

What is Linux?

Answer 23

Linux is an operating system that is a powerful and popular alternative to Windows. It has also become an inspiration for multiple other operating systems.

Question 24

What is Chrome OS?

Answer 24

Chrome OS is based on Linux and integrates with web servers to perform traditional operating system functions, making Chrome OS a popular choice for inexpensive notebook computers which use cloud computing and cloud storage. A downside however is that the efficiency is heavily dependent on the speed of the internet connection.

Question 25

What is virtualization?

Answer 25

Virtualization allows a single physical computer to support multiple operating systems.

Question 26

What are virtual machines?

Answer 26

Virtual machines are separate online computers that appear as individual devices.

Question 27

What are host and guest operating systems?

Answer 27

A host operating system is the operating system of the physical computer and the guest operating system is the operating system of the virtual machine.