System Software Flashcards
What is Systems Software?
Systems software is software that governs the computer system.
It:
- controls the hardware, including any peripherals
- allows other programs (applications) to run
- provides an interface for the user to interact with the computer
- maintains the system
What are the two types of Systems Software?
- Operating systems
- Utilities
What is an Operating System?
A piece of software responsible for running the computer. The software that manages the hardware and software resources in a computer system. It manages: Memory Management, Multitasking, Users, Files, Device Drivers and provides a User Interface. (MUFDI)
What are examples of Operating Systems?
Microsoft Windows
Apple OS X
Linux
Android
IOS
What is Memory Management?
The OS allocates memory between the different programs that are open at the same time.
Computer memory must be managed to ensure that more than one program can be run at the same time.
What is Multi-tasking?
To be able to run more than one program simultaneously.
What is File Management?
The OS is responsible for file management- the organisation of data into a usable hierarchical structure. It deals with naming, moving, deleting, saving data.
What is User Management?
The OS is responsible for user account control. This gives users access levels to specific data or resources on a computer system.
What are Peripherals?
Hardware devices connected to a computer (e.g. monitor, printer, scanner or camera).
What are Device Driver?
Every piece of hardware connected to the computer requires a device driver. Device drivers contain instructions on how to control a device. They act as a translator between the OS and the hardware.
What is Utility Software?
The purpose and functionality of Utility Software is to help maintain and improve the performance of the computer system. Includes encryption software, defragmentation software, data compression software and backup software.
What is a User Interface?
The User Interface allows the user to interact with a computer system. The most common type of UI is a Graphical User Interface (another one is Command Line Interface).
What is a Graphical User Interface?
GUIs feature a desktop where everything is displayed. All objects (apps, hardware and files) are represented by icons. Application features are accessible through the use of menus. Users interact with the interface by using a mouse and on-screen pointer.
GUIs are powerful and easy to use, but require a lot of processing power.
What is a Command Line Interface?
Command line interfaces are text-based. Users control the computer by typing in commands.
CLIs require little processing power and are extremely powerful, but are difficult to use.
What is Encryption?
Encryption software scrambles the data and disguises its contents. The main benefit of encryption is that if the data is intercepted or stolen the data is still secure.
What is Defragmentation?
Filed are stored on a hard disk in available spaces. Over time the disk becomes fragmented. Defragmentation software reorganises the data to put complete files back together. This decreases read/write time, therefore speeding up computer performance.
What is Compression?
Compression software reduces the file size of files so that they take less disk space and are quicker to download.
