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Computer science > Software (paper 1) > Flashcards

Software (paper 1) Flashcards

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1
Q

Define application software

A

Application software runs on the operating system and provides the services that the user requires for example a word processing package

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2
Q

Define system software

A

System software programs are those that are needed to enable the computer to function including the operating system utilities and library routines

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3
Q

Define an operating system (OS)

A

-A group of programs that are essential for managing the computers resources. These are ran on the firmware

-Examples are Windows and Apple IOS

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4
Q

Describe how the OS multi tasks?

A

-The OS coordinates the CPU to schedule processes

-All processes currently in memory waiting to be executed are held in a circular queue

-The CPU allocates each process a time slice and witches to the next process very quickly

-Making it seem as though they run at the same time

-This is known as multi tasking

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5
Q

How does the OS manage peripherals and drivers?

A

-Peripheral devices connected externally to the CPU include printers, keyboards and monitors

-Users must communicate with devices via the OS “Out of paper” messages

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6
Q

What is a driver

A

Software used to provide an interface for a hardware device

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7
Q

Describe what the OS does to manage files?

A

-The OS allows users to create, delete, copy, save and move files and allocate them to folders

-It can search for files, restore deleted files, free up space for new files and prevent conflicts when two users attempt to modify the same file at the same time

-Access rights to individual files may also be managed

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8
Q

Describe what the OS does to manage user accounts?

A

-Different users will each be provided with an account wither their own user name and password management

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

-The OS can also monitor login activity and log out users after set periods of inactivity

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9
Q

What is an interrupt?

A

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

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10
Q

How does a software interrupt occur?

A

-It occurs when an application program terminates or requests certain services from the OS

-It also occurs with a program error such as when a division by 0 occurs or when 2 processes try to access the same memory location

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11
Q

How does a hardware interrupt occur?

A

-It may occur when an I/O operation is complete or when a new USB device is plugged in and detected

-It also may occur when a key is pressed in the keyboard and the mouse is moved

-Interrupts are also triggered regularly by the timer to indicate that it is the turn of the next process to have processor time. This is why multi-tasking can take place

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12
Q

What is the software called that determines how to handle each interrupt?

A

Interrupt service routine (ISR)

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13
Q

Describe how the OS provides an interface

A

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

-An interface may be purely through text using a command line interface or it may be a graphical user interface (GUI)/ WIMP interface

WIMP = Windows, icons, menus, pointer

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14
Q

Describe how the OS provides a platform for running applications

A

-When a new application is installed on your computer the OS will manage this process

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

-User access to programs is also managed

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15
Q

Describe how the OS helps manage memory

A

-Files ad programs need to be in memory for the CPU to perform tasks which use them

-The OS moves programs and files between memory and storage (E.G hard drive) if virtual memory is required

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16
Q

Describe how the OS provides system security

A

-The OS controls user access to prevent users form accessing files or folders they should not have access to

-Security updates from software manufactures are also downloaded to help fix bugs and improve security against malware

-Files on the hard disc may need to be encrypted

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17
Q

What is the role of the bootloader?

A

-It is a small piece of software (firmware) that is responsible for starting up a computer

-The firmware is held in ROM and automatically starts up when the computer is switched on

-It loads the OS into RAM

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18
Q

Why is the bootloader stored in ROM and not RAM

A

As the contents of ROM are not lost when the computer is turned off

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19
Q

Define a high level language

A

-A high level language has a syntax and structure similar to English that is designed to be understood by humans

-These have to be compiled or interpreted before they’re ran

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20
Q

What are examples of high level languages?

A

Python, visual basic and C#

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21
Q

What does it mean for a programming language to be hardware independtant?

A

-They can run on any system
-The programmer therefore can focus on their own task rather than concerning themselves with the architecture of the computer

22
Q

Define a low level language

A

A language closer to the machines language

23
Q

What are some examples of a low level language?

A

-Binary code
-Assembly code

24
Q

What are the advantages to a high level language?

A

-Easier for humans to read, write and understand

-Easier for humans to debug code

-Portable and machine independent

-One statement can represent many low level instructions

25
Q

What are the disadvantages to a high level language?

A

-Cannot directly manipulate the software

-Must be converted into a low level language before it can be run

26
Q

What are the advantages to a low level language?

A

-Machine code doesn’t need to be converted and assembly code needs to be assembled which is quicker than from a high level language

-Can directly manipulate the software which makes the program more efficient in terms of speed and memory usage

27
Q

What are the disadvantages to a low level language?

A

-Not portable
-Machine dependent

-More difficult for users to understand, read and write

-Harder for users to debug code

-Several instructions are needed for each high level language statement

28
Q

Define a translator

A

A type of software that converts code written in one programming language into another usually a high level into a low level language

29
Q

What are the types of translator?

A

-Compiler
-Assembler
-Interpreter

30
Q

Why do we need a translator when using a high level language?

A

A translator is needed to convert high level code into machine code or binary instructions which can then be executed by the CPU

31
Q

What are the properties of a compiler?

A

-Translates a high level language program in one go to produce object code

-A compiled program executes faster than an interpreted one as it is already in machine code

-Produces an executable file so the original code does not need to be compiled again

-No need for the compiler to be present when the object code is run

-After compilation the compiler provides an error report for the whole code if any errors are detected

32
Q

What are the properties of an interpreter?

A

-Translates and executes one line of a high level language at a time

-Takes more time to execute as each instruction is translated before executed

-Source code will be interpreted or translated every time it is run

-The interpreter must be installed to run the program

-An interpreter stops execution as soon as an error is found. This is useful when developing a program

33
Q

Which languages use an interpreter?

A

-Python
-Java

34
Q

Which languages use a compiler?

A

-C#
-VB

35
Q

What is the function of an assembler?

A

-It converts assembly language into machine code

36
Q

Define Integrated development environment (IDE)

A

-Software used to enter and edit source code
-It will also compile programs to machine code and have debugging features

37
Q

Define firmware

A

Instructions that are stored in the ROM and loaded when a computer starts

38
Q

Define peripheral

A

A hardware device used to input, store or output data from a computer that is not directly part of the computer itself

39
Q

Define portable

A

A program that can be run on different types and manufactures of computers

40
Q

Define non portable

A

A program that cannot be run of different types and manufactures of computers

41
Q

What is a breakpoint?

A

-These can be set to pause the program at any point
-This enables the programmer to check the value of variables at specific points in the code to find errors

42
Q

What debugging and error diagnostic features do IDE provide?

A

-Breakpoint
-Variable watch window
-Stepping

43
Q

What is a watch window?

A

-A watch window is commonly used to display the value of specific variables as they change with each line of code

44
Q

What is stepping?

A

Stepping enables the programmer to step through line by line as they monitor the change in values

45
Q

What features do IDE provide?

A

-Error diagnostics
-Runtime environment
-Translators
-Code editors

46
Q

What is runtime environment?

A

This enables a program to be run and let the user interact with the program

47
Q

What does the editor in IDE include?

A

-Auto-correction
-Auto-completion
-Prettyprint

48
Q

What is auto-completion?

A

A feature of an editor that gives the user options when they start typing a command

49
Q

What is auto-correction?

A

A feature of an editor that identifies spelling errors and changes them

50
Q

What is prettyprint?

A

A feature of an editor that changes the colour of text for example to highlight key words

Computer science (7 decks)

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