Software Types

Question 1

What are the two types of software?

Answer 1

• Systems software

* Applications Software

Question 2

What is systems software?

Answer 2

The software needed to run the computer’s hardware and applications programs.

Question 3

What are some examples of systems software?

Answer 3

• Operating systems
• Utility Programs
• Library Programs
• Translators

Question 4

What are some examples of applications software?

Answer 4

• Off the shelf
• Custom Written
• Proprietary
• Open Source

Question 5

What is the OS?

Answer 5

A set of programs that lies between applications software and computer hardware

Question 6

What are some functions of the OS?

Answer 6

• Resource Management
• Provision of a user interface
• Interrupt Handling
• Multi tasking

Question 7

What is utility software?

Answer 7

System software designed to optimise the performance of the computer or perform tasks such as:
• Backing up files 
• Restoring corrupted files
•Compressing or decompressing data
• Encrypting data before transmission

Question 8

What are some examples of utility programs?

Answer 8

• Disk de-fragger
• Auto Backup
• Auto Update
• Virus checker
• Compression Software

Question 9

What is a disk defragmenter?

Answer 9

A program that will re organise a magnetic hard disk so that the files which have been split up into blocks and stored all over the disk will be recombined in a single series of sequential blocks.

Question 10

Why is using a disk defragger useful?

Answer 10

So file scan be read more quickly.

Question 11

What does the automatic backup do?

Answer 11

• Where backup is stored
• What you want to backup
• How you want to run the backup
• When you want to run the backup

Question 12

What does automatic update do?

Answer 12

• Makes sure that any software installed on the computer is up to date

Question 13

What does a virus checker do?

Answer 13

Scans permanent storage for viruses by comparing files to known virus definitions.

Question 14

How do virus programs use heuristics?

Answer 14

• Knows what types of behaviour are likely to be used by a malicious program.
• Used to guess which programs or files may contain a virus based upon their behaviour.

Question 15

What does compression software do?

Answer 15

• Reduces the size of files.

* Faster transmission of files over the internet.

Question 16

What is applications software?

Answer 16

Software the performs tasks that benefit the user.

Question 17

What are the different types of applications software?

Answer 17

• General Purpose
• Special Purpose
• Bespoke

Question 18

What is off the shelf?

Answer 18

Read made software available to anyone to purchase.

Question 19

What is bespoke?

Answer 19

Software that is custom created for a specific user.

Question 20

What is open source software?

Answer 20

Software that allows anyone to access the source code.

Question 21

What are some features of open source software?

Answer 21

• Software is licensed for use but there is no charge for the license, anyone can use it.
• Open source software must be distributed with the source code so anyone can modify it.
• Developers can sell the software they have created.
• Any new software created from open source software must be open, this means that it must be distributed or sold in a form that other people can read and edit.

Question 22

What is closed source?

Answer 22

• Software that does not allow access to source code.
• Users must pay the person or company who owns the copyright for a license to use the software.
• There may be restrictions on how the software is used.

Question 23

What is an advantage of using closed source?

Answer 23

• Support available from the company.
• regular updates available
• Large user base and training courses.

Question 24

What are some differences between off the shelf vs bespoke?

Answer 24

• Less expensive.
• May contain many unwanted features
• Ready to be installed immediately..
• well documented and error free

Question 25

What are some differences between bespoke vs off the shelf?

Answer 25

• more expensive
• Features customised to user requirements and other features can be added as needs arise.
• may take a long time to develop
• May contain errors.