Software - All

Question 1

Define software?

Answer 1

Software is any program that runs on the computer.

There are many different types of software including operating systems, games, word processing packages, virus checkers, spreadsheets, programming language translators and many more.

Question 2

State what is meant by custom written software.

Answer 2

Software that is written for the customer’s specific requirements.

Question 3

State what is meant by off-the-shelf software.

Answer 3

Off-the-shelf software is software you can buy in shops or online.

Question 4

Give 3 advantages of off‐the‐shelf software:

Answer 4

• You can buy it straight away
• Cheaper than custom written software
• Lots of people use it so there will be plenty of support including help lines, books, user forums, internet sites offering help, training courses

Question 5

Give a disadvantage of off-the-shelf software.

Answer 5

Made to suit many people so there may be many features that you never use making the software more complicated than it needed to be.

Question 6

State 2 advantages of custom written software:

Answer 6

• It does exactly what you want it to do. There might not be an off‐the‐shelf option for specialist requirements so custom‐written software might be the only choice.
• No one else will have the software so it might mean your company can do something others can’t or makes you more efficient than your competitors.
• It can be simple to use as it does not have any unnecessary features.

Question 7

State 2 disadvantages of custom written software:

Answer 7

• You cannot have it straight away. The software may not be available for months or years.
• It is much more expensive than off‐the‐shelf software.

Question 8

What is open source software?

Answer 8

Software that is provided under license but free of charge to anyone. The source code is made available and can be modified. Changes should be shared back to the community.

Question 9

How is open source different to freeware software?

Answer 9

Software is licensed for use but there is no charge for the license. Anyone can use it.
This is different from Freeware (free software) where it may be free to use but the user does not get access to the source code. Freeware usually has restrictions on its use as well.

Question 10

What is Proprietary software?

Answer 10

Proprietary software is software that is sold as a license to use the software.

Question 11

What are the benefits of using proprietary software?

Answer 11

The benefit of using proprietary software is the support available from the company. There will be updates and technical support lines, training courses and a large user base.

Question 12

What is an Operating System?

Answer 12

A group of programs that manages the computer’s

hardware resources and allow other programs to be run.

Question 13

List some of the features of an Operating System?

Answer 13

Memory management, Peripheral management, Multi-tasking, Security, Providing a user interface.

Question 14

What is multi-tasking?

Answer 14

Running more than one programs at once.

Question 15

What is memory management?

Answer 15

When you start up a program on the computer, the operating system copies it from the disk into the main memory and gives the processor the address (location) of where it starts.

Question 16

What is a peripheral?

Answer 16

Computer hardware parts that are not on the CPU.

Question 17

What is user-interface?

Answer 17

The way in which we interact with computer hardware. Things like the mouse cursor, desktop, start menu etc.

Question 18

What are utility programs and give examples?

Answer 18

Utilities are not essential for the computer to work but either make it easy for the user to use it in some way. Some examples include Security utilities, Disk organisation utilities and Maintenance utilities

Question 19

What are security utilities?

Answer 19

Security utilities is about keeping the computer system safe from hazards such as viruses,hackers and spyware.

Question 20

What is a virus?

Answer 20

Something that is installed on you computer without your knowledge or permission, intending to do harm to your computer.

Question 21

How does Anti-Virus protect a computer?

Answer 21

It prevents harmful programs being installed on the computer.
It prevents important files, such as the operating system, being changed or deleted.
If a Virus does manage to install itself, the software will detect it when it performs regular scans. Any virus detected will be removed.

Question 22

What happens to a data file if accessed?

Answer 22

If a data file is accessed, data from that too must be brought into main memory. The operating system tracks where programs and data are stored using addresses.

Question 23

What is a single‐user operating system?

Answer 23

Only one person can use the computer at any one time. e.g. iOS.

Question 24

What is a multi‐tasking operating system?

Answer 24

The computer can appear to run several programs at the same time.
For example, using the word processor while downloading a podcast and playing a music file.

Question 25

What is the purpose of utility software?

Answer 25

To keep your computer running smoothly.

Question 26

What is the purpose of system cleanup software?

Answer 26

It searches for and removes files which are no longer needed, like temporary internet files, installation files and files in the recycling bin, etc.

Question 27

State the purpose of disk defragmentation software.

Answer 27

Files are stored on the hard disk wherever there is space.
If you have a big file it might get split up into sections so it can stored in the available gaps. This isn’t very efficient because the operating system then has to keep track of where all the pieces are. After a while hundreds of files are stored in bits all over the disk. Files have become “fragmented”.
It moves the separate parts of the files around so they can be stored together. This makes them quicker to access. The defragmenter also groups all the free disk space together so files can be stored in one
place. The defragmenter utility optimises disk performance.

Question 28

What types of storage drives should disk defragmentation software be used on?

Answer 28

Magnetic hard drives. It is not needed for solid state storage as there are no moving parts on these drives so the location of the files does not slow down the system.

Question 29

State the purpose of disk formatting software.

Answer 29

All storage media (disks, memory sticks etc) need formatting. Mostly we buy portable devices already formatted so you don’t have to format a floppy disk or USB memory stick, but hard disks in computers will be formatted by the operating system so they are ready to store files in the way the operating system expects.

Question 30

State the purpose of file transfer & file management software.

Answer 30

We take it for granted that we can organise our files into folders and easily move files around within the folder structure. This utility provides a logical view of how the files are organised to make it easier for the user. There are no little yellow folders actually on the disk, just lots of binary!
It allows us to make folders, copy, delete and rename files. Windows Explorer is an example. So is Finder on OSX.

Question 31

What is a virus?

Answer 31

A virus is a program that is installed on a computer without your knowledge or permission with the purpose of doing
harm. It includes instructions to replicate automatically on a computer and between computers. Some viruses are just
annoying but don’t really do any damage but some viruses will delete and/or change system files so work files are corrupted or the computer becomes unusable.

Question 32

How does anti-virus software work?

Answer 32

Antivirus software will protect a computer in three ways:
o It prevents harmful programs being installed on the computer.
o It prevents important files, such as the operating system, being changed or deleted
o If a virus does manage to install itself, the software will detect it when it performs regular scans. Any virus detected will be removed (inoculated!).

Question 33

What is the purpose of a firewall?

Answer 33

A firewall blocks external access from the internet onto a PC or network. These work using several factor, for example:
• Where the access is from (the computer’s address)
• The type of traffic
• Specific web sites

Question 34

What is Spyware?

Answer 34

Programs that secretly record what you do on your computer are called spyware. The purpose of the software is to capture passwords, bank account details and keywords used in internet shopping and banking. These details can then be used to make purchases on the internet.

Question 35

How does anti-spyware software work?

Answer 35

A spyware protection utility runs in the background on a PC. It detects spyware programs and prevents them installing. It needs to regularly update itself from the internet so it can detect any new threats.

Question 36

What is the purpose of system information / diagnostic software?

Answer 36

This is a utility usually provided with the operating system. It gives information about the hardware, statistics about its use and information that will help diagnose any problems with the computer.

Question 37

What is automatic updating?

Answer 37

The automatic update utility makes sure that any software installed on the computer is up to date.
For any software already installed on the computer, the automatic update utility will regularly check on the internet for updates. These will be downloaded and installed if they are newer than the version already on the computer.

Question 38

List examples of security software.

Answer 38

Anti-virus.
Anti-spyware.
Firewalls.

Question 39

List examples of utility software.

Answer 39

System Information / Diagnostic software.
File management software.
Disk defragmentation software.
Disk cleanup software.
Disk formatting software.
Auto-updates.
system restore and backup software.