Software Classification

Question 1

System software

Answer 1

Programs that are needed for effective communication with the hardware, and for launching application software
Examples: operating system such as Windows and Android, Utility software such as antivirus and compression software

Question 2

Application Software

Answer 2

Programs launched from the operating system, by the user, to perform a specifc task or group of tasks
Example: desktop application such as browsers and word processing packages, mobile apps

Question 3

Operating system

Answer 3

A piece of system software that act as an interface between the user and the hardware, managing all hardware and all other software. If another piece of software is to be launched, it will be launched by the operating system

Question 4

Why are operating system so complex

Answer 4

The computers are complex, with much hardware and software to be managed

Question 5

Things managed by operating system

Answer 5

• processors
• memory
• I/O devices
• applications
• security

Question 6

What does OS do for processors?

Answer 6

Decides:
- which processes will be carried out by which processors
- if multiple processes are running, which one of the processor should handle next
- how long a time slice a process should be given (how long before the processor’s attention switches to the next process)

Question 7

What does OS do for memory?

Answer 7

• loads programs and data from backup storage to main memory
• removes unneded programs and data to make room for more
• manages virtual memory where part of secondary storage is used as an overflow area for main memory

Question 8

What does OS do for I/O devices?

Answer 8

• acts as go-between passing data from input to application software or application software to output
• manage device drivers, which are programs telling the OS how to communicate with attached input/output devices

Question 9

What does OS do for application?

Answer 9

• communicates between application software and hardware
• processes requests from application software for resources, such as network connection or remotely stored file

Question 10

What does OS do for security?

Answer 10

-manage multiple user accounts, keeping user’s data separate
- automatically back up data, thereby increasing its security
- handle usernames and passwords to prevent unauthorised access
- recognise one user as an administrator, who would have greater access rights

Question 11

Utility software

Answer 11

Programs that keep computer functioning efficiently, perhaps by freeing up storage space, removing viruses or ensuring the files are backed up

Question 12

Purpose of compression utility

Answer 12

Reducing the size of a file so that it can be stored using less space or transmitted more quickly

Question 13

Purpose of defragmentation utility

Answer 13

Moving separate parts of a file physically together, to speed up disk access

Question 14

Purpose of backing up utility

Answer 14

Creating a copy of files, either on the same disk or on a backup device or in the cloud. Backing up can either be full incremental

Question 15

Full backup

Answer 15

Involves creating a copy of all files

Question 16

Incremental back up

Answer 16

Involves creating copied of only files that have been created or edited since the last back up

Question 17

Purpose of encryption utility

Answer 17

Allowing for data to be scrambled in order to prevent unauthorised individuals from understanding any files that they see. Might be for secure storage or secure transmission