System Software Flashcards
Name 4 types of user interface?
- Command line interface
- Graphical user interface
- Menu driven interface
- Natural language interface
What are the functions of an operating system?
6 marks
- Memory management
- User management
- Multitasking
- Providing a user interface
- File management
- Peripheral management and drivers
Name 5 examples of operating systems
- Windows
- Android
- Chrome OS
- macOS
- Linux
What is an operating system?
Software that manages computer hardware, users and the resources used by the software
What is a user interface?
The means by which the user and a computer interact
What are the typical features of a GUI?
- Windows
- Icons
- Menus
- Pointers
- Drag and drop
What does OS stand for?
Operating system
What does GUI stand for?
Graphical user interface
Why would you use a GUI?
- Easy to use
What is a command line interface?
A text based interface where commands are entered into the computer
Why would you use a command line interface?
- Requires very little processing, so it is quicker if you know the commands
- Requires much less disk storage space and RAM
- No graphics card needed
What is a menu driven interface?
A type of user interface used by devices with a dedicated function where there are only certain options that can be selected, by a menu
What is memory management?
When the OS manages where data and programs are stored to ensure nothing is overridden. It also manages virtual memory.
How does multitasking work?
Carrying out more than one task seemingly at the same time by allocating time for each program in the CPU
What are interrupts?
Signals sent to the CPU by external devices to indicate an event that needs immediate attention
Name example of a hardware interrupt
Printer out of paper
Give an example of a software interrupt?
A divide-by-zero error
What does a device driver do?
Translate the OS instructions into instructions the device can understand
What is a peripheral?
A hardware device connected to a computer
Give 2 examples of user management
- Access levels
- Storing user logins and passwords
Name 4 common file management actions
- Naming and renaming files and folders
- Moving files and folders
- Saving files
- Sorting files (eg. by name, by data created etc.)
Name 5 examples of utility software
- Encryption software
- Disk defragmentation software
- Data compression software
- Anti-malware software
- Disk clean up tools
What is encryption software?
Software that disguises the content of files so they can only be understood by authorised users
What is disk defragmentation?
Reordering where files are stored so they are stores in consecutive memory locations
What is fragmentation?
When a file isn’t stored across consecutive memory locations
Why is disk defragmentation needed?
- Fragmented files take longer to read
- Because the driver head will need to move to more locations
What does data compression software do?
Reduce the size of a file stored on secondary storage
What are the advantages of compressed files?
- Takes up less storage
- Quicker to transfer and download
What are the possible disadvantages of compressed files?
- Lower quality
