P2 T2 L1 Hardware and Software

Question 1

Define Software (1 point)

Answer 1

1. Sequences of instructions called programs that can be understood and executed by hardware (I.e. run on a computer)

NOTE: In A level NEVER refer to commercial products such as Windows or Excel unless you are asked to name a commercial version of a piece of software- which is unlikely

Question 2

Define Hardware (1 point)

Answer 2

1. The electronic physical components, both internal and external, that make up the computer

Question 3

Explain System Software (2 points) and give 4 types

Answer 3

Performs the tasks needed to operate the hardware.
Monitors and maintains the computer system.

Types of software include:

1. Operating systems
2. Library programs
3. Utility Programs
4. Programming Language Translators

Question 4

Explain the purpose of an Operating System (3 points)

Answer 4

1. Provide an interface between the user and hardware to provide a ‘virtual’ machine.
2. Hide the complexity of the hardware from the user.
3. Provide a software platform on which other programs can run.

Question 5

What are Library Programs? (1 point)

Give 3 examples

Answer 5

1. A collection of compiled routines that other programs can use. Different software applications may share a program library.

Examples:

1. a word processor and spreadsheet program may use the same print routine
2. Scanner library in Java
3. DLL files in Windows

Question 6

What are Utility Programs? (2 points)

Answer 6

1. Perform specific tasks related to working with computers, e.g. file compression.
2. Can be bundled with the operating system or installed separately

Question 7

What do Programming Language Translators do? (1 point)

What can they used to do this? (3 things)

Answer 7

1. Converts source code into object code, which the computer can run.

The program source code has to be converted using one of:

1. Assembler
2. Compiler
3. Interpreter

Question 8

What does an Assembler do? (3 points)

Answer 8

1. Translates assembly code into machine code
2. Takes an assembly language program and converts each mnemonic into its binary equivalent
3. Each different type of computer architecture requires an assembler of it’s own
   e. g. 100 = ADD, 200 = SUB, 300 = STA, 500 = LDA

Question 9

What is a Compiler? (1 point)

Give 4 properties of it

Answer 9

1. A program that translates high level source code into object code all at once
2. Checks for errors before the exe is produced
3. Produce final software for distribution
4. Can be slow to compile
5. End user is unable to hack into the code

Question 10

What is an Interpreter? (1 point)

Give 4 properties of it

Answer 10

1. Translates one line at a time at run time. Analyses then executes each line.
2. Slower than compilers, but can be executed straight away.
3. No object code generated
4. Often used when developing new programs
5. End users can easily see the code

Question 11

Define General Purpose Software. (2 points)

Give an example

Answer 11

1. General purpose application software is a type of application that can be used for a variety of tasks.
2. It is not limited to one particular function.

For example a word processor could be classed as general purpose software as it would allow a user to write a novel, create a restaurant menu or even make a poster.

Question 12

Define Special Purpose Software. (1 point)

Give an example

Answer 12

1. Special purpose application software is a type of software created to execute one specific task.

For example a camera application on your phone will only allow you to take and share pictures. Another example would be a chess game, it would only allow you to play chess.

Other examples of special purpose application software are web browsers, calculators, media players, calendar programs etc.

Question 13

Define Bespoke Application Software (1 point)

Give an example

Answer 13

1. Bespoke application software is tailor made for a specific user and purpose.

For example a factory may require software to run a robot to make cars, however, it is the only factory making that car in the world, so the software required would have to be specially built for the task.

Other examples might include software for the military, missile/UAV operations, software for hospitals and medical equipment, software being written inside banks and other financial institutions.

Question 14

What are the types of software? (2 types)

Answer 14

1. System software

2. Application software

Question 15

What are the types of System Software? (4 types)

Answer 15

1. Operating systems
2. Library programs
3. Utility programs
4. Programming language translators

Question 16

What are the types of Application Software? (3 types)

Answer 16

1. General Purpose Software
2. Special-Purpose Software
3. Bespoke Application Software