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GCSE Computer Science > Software > Flashcards

Software Flashcards

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1
Q

Give two functions of an operating system

A

1) Security- Blocks viruses that could be harmful to the computer
2) Memory/File management- Determines where certain files go on the hard disk

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2
Q

Utility software can be split into 3 areas:

A

1) Basic tools
2) File management
3) Security

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3
Q

What is an example of a single user?

A

Smartphone

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4
Q

What is an example of a multi-user?

A

School network

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5
Q

What is an operating system?

A

Software designed for a particular hardware

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6
Q

What is utility software?

A

Software that does a useful job for the user that is not essential to the operating system

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7
Q

What are the two things system software are divided into?

A

1) Operating System

2) Utility software

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8
Q

Define concurrent

A

processes that run apparently at the same time

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9
Q

Define User interface

A

the way the user interacts with the operating system

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10
Q

What is a backup?

A

a copy of files in another location so that they are still available if the original copy is damaged or locked

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11
Q

What is a defragmenter?

A

a utility that moves file clusters on a disk so they are closer to each other in order to speed up disk access

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12
Q

Define Virus

A

software that is designed to make and distribute copies of itself, usually for a malicious purpose

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13
Q

Define Spyware

A

software, possibly a virus, that is designed to be installed secretly on a computer and record private information as the user enters it

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14
Q

Define Firewall

A

a utility that controls program access to the network, both incoming and outgoing

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15
Q

What is Instruction set?

A

the list of all possible commands a particular CPU knows how to carry out

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16
Q

What is Machine code?

A

the binary codes representing each of the instructions in the instruction set

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17
Q

What is Translator?

A

a program the converts source code to machine code

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18
Q

What is Source code?

A

the text of the program that a programmer writes

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19
Q

What is Assembly language?

A

a low-level language written using mnemonics

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20
Q

What is low-level programming language?

A

a programming language that is closely related to the CPU’s machine code

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21
Q

What is a complier?

A

a translator that convert high level language source code into object code, often machine code. The source code is translated all at once and saved to be executed later.

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22
Q

What is object code?

A

the translated source code.

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23
Q

What is an interpreter?

A

a translator that converts high level language source code into object code. The source code is translated and executed one line at a time.

24
Q

Name an advantage of an interpreter

A

-find errors when they happen and can often tell you what’s gone wrong

25
Q

Name 2 disadvantages of an interpreter

A
  • every computer that will run your program needs the interpreter software installed
  • tend to run slower because the interpreter has to translate the source code while the program is running
26
Q

Name 2 advantages of a complier

A
  • the output from a complier will run on its own on any similar computer
  • its easier to prevent your code from being altered or copied, because you a re only giving people the machine code
27
Q

Name a disadvantage of a complier

A

-a complier cannot produce any object code unless the while program is correct

28
Q

What is an embedded system?

A

A computer system built into another device in order to control it

29
Q

identify 3 components of an embedded system

A
  1. Input/Output
  2. processor
  3. memory
30
Q

Why are embedded systems also referred to as ‘real-time’ systems?

A

they must guarantee a response almost immediately in order for a system to react to different situations

31
Q

Why are low level languages used for writing the programs for embedded systems?

A
  • hardware can be directly controlled by the program written

- does not need an interpreter or compiler

32
Q

What is the role of systems software?

A
  • allows software to run

- provides an interface for users

33
Q

What is the role of the OS in memory management and multitasking? (describe the process)

A
  • all processes require the use of the CPU and memory
  • the OS prioritizes these tasks and allocates time to each process
  • it checks that the requests for memory are valid and allocates it accordingly
  • also swaps out data to the virtual memory when the main memory is full
34
Q

Why is file management used?

A

-the OS creates a folder and file structure for data, which makes it easier for users to organize data

35
Q

How are file permissions used on shared computer systems or on a network?

A 
file permissions control who can:
-see
-open
-edit
-delete 
a file.
36
Q

How does the OS provide an interface between the user and the hardware and software?

A
  • interfaces allow to user to communicate with the computer

- the interface translates the users input

37
Q

What are the two types of interface?

A
  • Graphical User Interface (GUI)

- command line interface

38
Q

How are peripherals controlled by the the OS?

A

using programs called ‘drivers’ that carry out the necessary translations to allow the CPU and the devices to communicate correctly

39
Q

What is scheduling?

A

the algorithm that the OS uses to allow each running process to use the CPU

40
Q

What is paging?

A

the algorithm the OS uses to move programs from RAM to disk and back again when needed once main memory is full

41
Q

What is application software?

A

software that preforms a task that would otherwise be done by hand, perhaps with pen and paper.

42
Q

What is meant by ‘fragmented’?

A

When part of a file is saved to different parts of a disk

43
Q

How does defragmentation software make a program run more quickly?

A
  • reorganizes file that have been placed on different parts of the disk by putting related pieces of data together
  • fewer disk access are then needed to read the data
  • this improves performance + frees up more space on the disk
44
Q

Why is encryption software used?

A
  • scrambles data into a form that cannot by used by unauthorized users
  • protects unauthorized use
45
Q

What are the 2 ways that an antivirus software identifies malware?

A
  • scans for viruses using a database of known virus definitions that the virus is compared to
  • uses a set of rules to detect viruses by looking at their behaviour
46
Q

What are 2 characteristics of a virus?

A
  • enters the computer hidden as another program

- corrupts or deletes data from a disk

47
Q

Explain what is meant by a computer model

A

-attempts to extract the rules and mechanisms that control real life systems and apply them in computer programs so that they can be used to simulate the behaviour of these systems under different conditions

48
Q

What are two drawbacks of creating and using computer models?

A
  • they may not always be accurate

- processing power needed to run the model may be greater than what is available

49
Q

Why is assembly language a low level programming language?

A

assembly code is similar to machine code

50
Q

Why is machine code a low level programming language?

A

machine code can be directly processed by the CPU

51
Q

What are 2 advantages of a programmer writing programs in a high level language?

A
  • it is easier for the programmer to understand which makes it less time consuming
  • portable from one machine to another as they are independent from the CPU
52
Q

What are 2 advantages of a programmer writing programs in a low level language?

A
  • requires less memory and execution time

- can directly control system hardware which makes it optimal for embedded systems

53
Q

What is an assembler

A

the software used to translate a program written in assembly language to machine code

54
Q

What is an advantage of a compiler?

A

-it can be executed faster since it is already translated to machine code

55
Q

What is an disadvantage of a compiler?

A

-the program cannot be changed without editing the source code and recompiling

GCSE Computer Science (14 decks)

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