Software

Question 1

What is application software?

Answer 1

Provides the services that the user requires and runs on the operating system

Question 2

What are some examples of application software?

Answer 2

Word processing packages
Stock control software
In-car navigation system

Question 3

What are the two types of software?

Answer 3

Application and System

Question 4

What is system software?

Answer 4

Programs that provide the services that are needed to enable the computer to function

Consists of the operating system and utility software

Question 5

What are some examples of system software?

Answer 5

The operating system
Utilities
Programming language translators

Question 6

What are the major operating systems?

Answer 6

Windows
Linux
MacOS
Apple iOS
Android

Question 7

What is an operating system?

Answer 7

A group of programs that is essential for managing the computer’s resources. Handles several crucial tasks

Question 8

What is the operating system responsible for? (9 things)

Answer 8

Managing multitasking
Managing peripherals and drivers
Managing files
Managing accounts
Handling interrupts
Providing system security
Providing an interface
Running applications
Managing memory

(Magical Dolphins Fly After Impish Skeletons, Insulting Amoebas Merrily)

Question 9

What are the main types of user interfaces?

Answer 9

GUI - Graphical User
CLI - Command Line
Voice activated
Real-time

Question 10

What does GUI stand for?

Answer 10

Graphical User interface

Question 11

What is an example of a GUI?

Answer 11

WIMP
Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers

Question 12

What does CLI stand for?

Answer 12

Command Line interface

Question 13

What format is used in CLI?

Answer 13

Text
Commands are typed and all output is in text

Question 14

Where is CLI most commonly used?

Answer 14

Windows command prompt

Question 15

What is an interface?

Answer 15

The OS provides a means of interacting with the computer through buttons, keyboards, touchscreen or mice

Question 16

What is the operating system responsible for?

Answer 16

It is responsible for important functions such as how a file is written to a hard drive or how a program is run in RAM

Question 17

What is a peripheral device?

Answer 17

A peripheral device connects externally to the CPU

Question 18

What are examples of peripheral devices?

Answer 18

Printers, keyboards and monitors

Question 19

What is a driver?

Answer 19

Software used to provide an interface for a hardware device
Contain instructions on how to control a device

Question 20

What are the advantages of device drivers?

Answer 20

Any device can be used with the operating system, as long as a driver is compatible with it

Drivers can be updated, usually to give better performance or to remove a bug

Question 21

What language would a driver be written in and why?

Answer 21

Assembly language (low-level language)
Needs to be able to precisely control the hardware devices

Question 22

What does multitasking mean?

Answer 22

Multitasking means to be able to run more than one program simultaneously.

Question 23

How does an operating system multitask?

Answer 23

It coordinates the CPU to schedule processes

All processes in the memory that are waiting to be executed are held in a circular queue

The CPU allocates each process a time slice

It then switches to the next process very quickly, making it seem like it is running at the same time

Question 24

How does the operating system manage files?

Answer 24

It allows users to create, delete, move, save and copy/allocate files to folders

Manages access rights to individual files

Question 25

How does the operating system manage user accounts?

Answer 25

Different users will each be provided with an account with their own username and password

It can monitor login activity

Each account can be granted different levels of access depending on their needs and levels of security

Question 26

How does the operating system provide a platform for running applications?

Answer 26

The OS will allocate memory space for the application and control the application’s access to data and devices

Question 27

How does the operating system manage memory?

Answer 27

The OS moves programs and files between memory and storage (e.g. hard drive) if virtual memory is required

Question 28

How does the operating system provide system security?

Answer 28

It controls user access to prevent users from accessing files/folders they shouldn’t have access to

Security updates are downloaded to help fix bugs and improve security against malware

Question 29

What is an interrupt?

Answer 29

A signal from a software program or hardware device to the CPU

Question 30

When does a software interrupt occur?

Answer 30

When an application program terminates or requests services from the OS

When two processes try to access the same memory location

When a program error (e.g. divide by zero) occurs

Question 31

When does a hardware interrupt occur?

Answer 31

When an input/output operation is complete

When a new USB device is plugged in and detected

When a key is pressed on the keyboard or the mouse is moved

Used in multitasking; triggered by a timer to indicate that the next process should have processor time

Question 32

What does utility software do for the computer?

Answer 32

Helps configure and maintain the device