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Computing > Systems Software > Flashcards

Systems Software Flashcards

1
Q

Operating system

A

An operating system (OS) is software that provides an interface between the user and the hardware in a computer system.
An operating system hides the complexities of the hardware from the user, for example:
A user does not need to know ‘where’ on secondary storage data is kept, just that it is saved for when they want it agai

An operating systems main functions can be divided in to five key area: Provide a user interface, Memory management & multitasking, Peripheral management & device drivers, User management, File management.

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2
Q

User interface

A

A user interface is how the user interacts with the operating system
Examples of user interfaces include: Command Line Interface (CLI), Graphical User Interface (GUI), Menu, Natural language (NLI).

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3
Q

Command line interface

A

A Command Line Interface (CLI) requires users to interact with the operating system using text based commands.
CLIs are more commonly used by advanced users.
Examples of CLIs are MSDOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) and Raspbian (for Raspberry Pi).

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4
Q

Graphical user interface

A

A Graphical User Interface (GUI) requires users to interact with the operating system using visual elements such as windows, icons, menus & pointers (WIMP).
GUIs are optimised for mouse and touch gesture input.
Examples of GUIs are Windows, Android and MAC OS.

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5
Q

Menu interface

A

A menu interface is successive menus presented to a user with a single option at each stage.
Often performed with buttons or a keypad.
Examples include:
Chip and pin machines
Vending machines
Entertainment streaming services

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6
Q

Natural language interface

A

A natural language interface (NLI) uses the spoken word to respond to spoken or textual inputs from a user.
Examples include:
Virtual assistants - Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Search engines
Smart home devices

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7
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of Command line interface

A

Advantages -
Uses less system resources
Useful for automation of tasks
Commands are often faster to type than navigating menus

Disadvantages -
Requires users to remember commands
Typing errors are common
Less intuitive than GUI

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8
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of graphical user interface

A

Advantages -
Intuitive and user-friendly
Requires no previous knowledge to use
Information is visual, making it easier to understand

Disadvantages -
Uses more system resources
Can be slower to find and execute commands
Can be frustrating when doing repetitive tasks

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9
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of menu interface

A

Advantages -
Simplicity
Efficiency

Disadvantages -
Limited flexibility
Accessibility issues

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10
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of natural language interface

A

Advantages -
Can be used by people with disabilities
Intuitive

Disadvantages -
Not always reliable
Privacy concerns

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11
Q

Memory management

A

Memory management is a process carried out by the operating system allocating main memory (RAM) between different programs that are open at the same time.
The OS is responsible for copying programs and data from secondary to primary storage as it is needed.
Programs and data require different amounts of RAM to operate efficiently and the OS manages this process.
RAM is allocated based on priority and fairness, for example, system applications (essential) may have a higher priority than user applications.
The OS dynamically manages the memory, adjusting allocation as needed to maintain optimal system performance.
Memory management makes multitasking possible.

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12
Q

Multitasking

A

Multitasking is a process made possible by the OS simultaneously managing system resources (memory, CPU etc) to give a user the perception of being able to use multiple programs at the same time.
The OS splits tasks and allocates system resources based on a priority.
The CPU can only execute one instruction at a time, it can execute billions of them in one second.
This makes it appear that multiple programs are running at the same time.

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13
Q

Peripheral management

A

Peripheral management is a process carried out by the operating system managing the way peripherals (hardware) interact with software.
The OS allocates system resources to peripherals to ensure efficient operation.
Peripheral management makes plug-and-play (PnP) functionality possible, automatically detecting and configuring new peripherals without the need for manually installing device drivers or power cycling the system.

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14
Q

Device driver

A

A device driver is a piece of software used to control a piece of hardware.
Peripherals require device drivers in order to be used by the operating system.
The OS has generic device drivers built in which makes basic compatibility possible and enables plug-and-play (PnP).
In order for hardware to be used to its maximum capacity, often a separate device driver must be downloaded from the manufacturer.
Device drivers are OS specific and are regularly updated.

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15
Q

User management

A

User management is a process carried out by the operating system enabling different users to log onto a computer.
The OS is able to maintain settings for individual users, such as desktop backgrounds, icons and colour schemes.
A system administrator is able to allocate different access rights for different users on a network.

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16
Q

File management

A

File management is a process carried out by the operating system creating, organising, manipulating and accessing files and folders on a computer system.
The OS manages where data is stored in both primary and secondary storage.
File management gives the user the ability to: Create files/folders, Name files/folders, Rename files/folders, Copy files/folders, Move files/folders, Delete files/folders.

The OS allows users to control who can access, modify and delete files/folders (permissions).
The OS provides a search facility to find specific files based on various criteria.

17
Q

Utility software

A

Utility software is software designed to help maintain, enhance and troubleshoot/repair a computer system.
Utility software is designed to perform a limited number of tasks.
Utility software interacts with the computers hardware, for example, secondary storage devices.
Some utility software comes installed with the operating system.

18
Q

Defragmentation

A

Defragmentation software groups fragmented files back together in order to improve access speed.
As programs and data are added to a new hard disk drive, it is added in order, over time as files are deleted this leaves gaps.
As programs and data are added over time, these gaps get filled and data becomes fragmented.
Defragmentation can only be used on magnetic storage.

19
Q

Compression

A

Compression reduces the amount of secondary storage required by performing an algorithm on the original data.
Lossy compression physically removes data from the original data to reduce its size, the original file can not be re-created.
Lossless compression uses mathematics to order data more efficiently reducing its size, the original files can be re-created as no data is lost.

20
Q

Encryption

A

Encryption is the process of scrambling data using an algorithm from plain-text into cipher-text in order to make it unreadable to users without the master key.
Encryption software enhances the security of the computer system and keeps data safe.

21
Q

Task manager

A

Task manager is software that is built into the operating system to allow users to monitor system resources in order to help troubleshoot potential problems.
Task manager gives system information such as:
Processes
Performance
App history
Start-up apps
Users
Services

22
Q

API

A

Operating systems provide an application programming interface (API).
This is a set of code libraries that software developers can use to write applications for that operating system.

23
Q

Purpose of backup software

A

Backup software creates a copy of important data, so that it can be stored in an external location.
Having multiple copies of the data means that if something happens to one of the copies, we can restore it using another.

24
Q

Full backup

A

A full backup describes when a copy is made of everything on the system onto the backup media.
Full backups are slow processes and take up a lot of space.
It is very easy to restore a system from a full backup.

25
Q

Incremental backup

A

An incremental backup is when you copy just the files that have changed since the last backup.
Incremental backups are faster and use less space.
It’s more difficult to restore a system from incremental backups because:
The most recent full backup must be applied.
Every incremental backup since then must then be applied in the correct order.

Computing (11 decks)

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