SOFTWARE Flashcards
What are the 3 categories of software?
- Compilers(interpreters)
- application software
- system software
**what is the location of the software programs? **
location: stored in the memory
What are the functions of the software programs?
- provides instructions to the computer
- designed to solve problems
3 in total
What are the functions of a computer?
- follows instructions to precisely perform an operation
- arithematic and comparisons
- execute instructions quicky and accurately
____ are a step by step written instructions in a natural language
algorithms
What are the features/ characteristics of an algorithm?
- error prone generalities which are ambigous
- They are translated into the vocabulary of a programming language(syntax)
5 in total
What are the languages of computers?
- Natural language - spoken by humans (algorithms)
- High-level languages - fall b/w human and machine language (python, java and C++)
- Compilers - interprets or translates high level language into machine language
- A low-level language is a type of computer language that works very closely with the hardware. It is harder for humans to read but allows direct control over the computer’s components. or every instruction in a low-level language like assembly, there is a direct equivalent instruction in the computer’s machine language (binary code).
- Machine languahe - uses numeric code to represent the data (binary)
3 components in total
What does the system software comprise of ?
- OS
- Utility programs
- Device drivers
______ are specialized software tools designed to help manage, optimize, and maintain the functionality of a computer system. They perform specific tasks that support the operating system and improve the computer’s performance, security, and usability.
Provide some examples too
utility programs
Eg: dis cleanup tool, file management system and antivirus
is software that helps the operating system communicate with hardware devices like printers, keyboards, or graphics cards, ensuring they work properly
Provide some examples
Device driver
eg: computer printers, graphic cards, modems, network cards and sound cards
What is an Operating system?
A software that controls and coordinates the computer hardware devices and runs other softwarre and applications on a computer
total - 7 points
What are the functions of an operating system ?
Communication with peripherals
Coordination of concurrent processing
Memory management
Monitoring of resources and security
Management of programs and data
Coordinating network communications
____ is when an application or program is being executed
Process
Where does the OS lives?
- some computers store their OS in the ROM
- Some only include a part in the ROM, rest are loaded in the memory (booting)
Who owns the processes?
Some are owned by the user and some are owned by the OS
