System software Flashcards
what are the 3 main functions of the operating system
provide user interface
load and run programs
manage computers resources
command line interface
text based interface
commands typed at command prompt
over 270 commands
in early operating systems (MS DOS)
commands must be entered precisely- difficult to remember
therefore difficult compared to GUI
GUI
graphical user interface
uses WIMP (windows,icons,/mouse control, pull down menus
icons and options represent folders, apps and commands
activated when selected
what activities does the OS control (Resource Management)
Input and Output I/O - help user interact w computer
File Management- create,save,delete,move,copy files into 2nd,☁️ed storage
Memory Management- each program has enough memory;no 2 programs use same memory space
Process Management- each process getting enough CPU time to run right
drivers
link hardware to software so computer can perform tasks when applications need to send instructions to particular hardware device
program that provides OS with info needed for it to work with device
driver software embedded on device, installed together w any application software when device connected to computer for first time
programming tool
computer program used to create programs that work on their own , support other programs/applications and interact with resources on device.
eg IDE (integrated development environment)
IDE
integrated development environment
IDE consists of source code editor, compiler/intepreter and other add ons
IDE support multiple programming languages
game development applications
ability to create both 2D and 3D games for multiple platforms
-mobile app development complex- different platforms app should execute
—cross platform mobile app developments—write once,run anywhere (WORA)
source code vs executable code
source code- original code written by programmer
.pas/.java
executable code- source code compiled to separate file called object code
.exe (can be executed) .class (cannot be directly executed in windows unless Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is installed
what are utilities
provided by system software
help user manage, analyse,maintain, optimise and control computer
available in control panel area
what is the control panel
program apart of system software that allows user to control operating system and utilities
has programs+features option- allows uninstallation/modification of installed program
name utilities (8)
defragmentation
scheduling tasks
updating
file compression and extraction
archive
backup
install and uninstall software
security-firewall and anti-malware
defragmentation
DISK defragmenter
rearranges fragmented data( data stored in multiple locations) on HDD( ONLY) so work can be done more effeciently
time taken depends on size + degree of fragmentation on disk
impossible if not enough space to create copy of files being rearranged
what is the purpose of file compression
reduces size of files (through advanced programming techniques) so:
-take up less storage space
-transferred more quickly over internet
examples of compression programming techniques
WinZip, 7 Zip, WinRAR,
decompression of extraction
extract compressed files
archiving
remove files + store in compresssed separate archive location for space saving+later use
files stay resident w/o being used for long time
causes occupation of necessary space; but files necessary for future
backup
making copy in case of data loss in separate location [ remote(☁️ storage) , local drives, network drives, external drives)
usually made of data files, can include apps+ OS’s + drives
uses compression or copying
backup utility options
-types of files to be backed up
-how often data is backed up
-whether prev backups should be overwritten
-setting backup schedule from w/in utility
-saving backup settings for future use
installation software
installation program used when new software is installed, to install program so it is ready to use
registry records settings+ changes that affect system when installations take place
installer program- takes care of placing exe files, creating folders for supporting software, registering necessary software in registry
what options does the user have in terms of the way the software products are installed
want standard features- typical/standard installation
want to adapt way software installed/change settings- custom installation
want all features- full installation (will take more hardware space than typical installation
product key
unique code that ensures licensed software was purchased legally, and is licensed to you
aka activation key/code
why do you not install license for google+office 365
using cloud-based version on internet
uninstall programs
safely remove program from computer system by remiving all+updating registry
scheduling
run programs automatically at specified conditions
-allows updates+ process configuration in background while computer runs
updating
old-update w service packs (distributed on CD)
now- most updating done over internet (scheduled task set to check on vendor update site for available update downloads
can choose if updates automatically or should be requested
firewall
-set of devices designed to to permit+deny network transmissions based on set of rules
- protects networks from unauthorised access+threats from internet
-permits legitimate communications only
malware
malicious software
program/file harmful to computer
viruses
-programs illegally loaded onto computer-cause damage to system
-can modify themselves-avoid detection
-spread from computer via removable media or downloading from internet
(infecting files on computer and downloading, attaching to emails, send to email address
before internet popular-transferred by inserting infected disk into computer
now- internet connectivity commonplace- easier to transmit