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Introduction to Computing > Systems Software > Flashcards

Systems Software Flashcards

1
Q

Software designed to solve a specific problem is called __________ software.

A

application

[Explanation]

Examples of application software include word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphics software.

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2
Q

_____ programs are designed to help monitor and configure settings for the computer, the operating system, or applications.

A

Utility

[Explanation]

Utility software can be bundled applications included with other software (with the OS for instance), or standalone applications. Examples of utility programs include backup and data recovery software, antivirus software, disk cleanup, etc.

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3
Q

In recent years, _________ software has been one of the most popular categories of utility software.

A

antivirus

[Explanation]

Norton Antivirus and McAfee VirusScan are two examples of popular antivirus applications.

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4
Q

The ___ allows a user to operate the computer by using a mouse or keystrokes to select icons and commands from menus.

A

GUI

[Explanation]

The GUI (Graphic User Interface) is sometimes called a computer dashboard and Microsoft Windows is an example of an operating system that uses a GUI.

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5
Q

Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.

A

type

[Explanation]

Examples of operating systems which featured a command driven interface include DOS and UNIX. This can also be called a command-line interface.

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6
Q

______ software helps the computer manage internal and external resources and enables the computer to run applications.

A

System

[Explanation]

System software includes device drivers, utility programs, and the operating system.

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7
Q

The ________________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.

A

operating system

[Explanation]

The OS is the main system software in any computer. All general purpose computers must have an operating system installed in order to run other programs. All applications are written to run on top of a specific operating system.

Examples of operating systems include Windows, Linux, Unix, and Macintosh OS.

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8
Q

The ______ is the central component of the operating system. While the computer is running, it remains in main memory and manages nonresident programs.

A

kernel

[Explanation]

The kernel is also known as the supervisor. It manages programs not resident in main memory to perform tasks that support application programs.

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9
Q

Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.

A

queues

[Explanation]

Queues are first in, first out (FIFO) sequences of data that wait in temporary storage. On a hard disk, this waiting area is called a buffer.

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10
Q

A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk, floppy disk, or CD is called a ____.

A

file

[Explanation]

A file can be a document, a photo, a song, or an application.

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11
Q

If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol, you wont be able to use it in a ________.

A

filename

[Explanation]

For example, here are a few symbols that Windows doesn’t allow filenames to contain:
*:?

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12
Q

A ____________ is a collection of Microsoft files for security improvements, bug fixes, and software updates.

A

service pack

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13
Q

____ is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in networking capabilities that supports multiple users.

A

UNIX

[Explanation]

UNIX was first developed by Bell Laboratories in 1969. Today, it runs on all types of computers including PCs, workstations, and servers.

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14
Q

_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.

A

Solaris

[Explanation]

Sun Microsystems makes Solaris. Other popular versions of UNIX include HP-UX by Hewlett Packard and AIX by IBM.

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15
Q

The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ____________ interface.

A

command line

[Explanation]

The UNIX command line interface is similar to the MS-DOS interface.

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16
Q

_____ is a non-proprietary version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.

A

Linux

[Explanation]

Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a programmer from Finland.

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17
Q

Linux is an open source operating system that can be modified and freely __________.

A

distributed

[Explanation]

Open source software projects promote user modification, peer review, free distribution, and copying. Other open source software include the FireFox web browser, Thunderbird email, and OpenOffice.

18
Q

Any electronic system that uses a CPU but is not a general purpose computer is called an __________ system.

A

embedded

[Explanation]

Handheld computers and PDAs are examples of embedded systems because the operating system resides on a single chip. Embedded systems also include cellphones, watches, and components in cars, planes, trains and machine tools.

19
Q

Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.

A

copyrighted

20
Q

________ is software that is copyrighted but is available for free.

A

Freeware

21
Q

____ licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific location.

A

Site

22
Q

Software obtained illegally is said to be _______.

A

pirated

[Explanation]

Pirated software can be downloaded from the web, illegally copied by a friend, or purchased in a foreign country.

23
Q

A program or instruction book that helps users learn how to use a product by taking the user through a series of steps is called a ________.

A

tutorial

24
Q

A ______ is an interactive computer utility that asks a user questions to guide the user through a task.

A

wizard

[Explanation]

For example, a printer setup wizard would guide you through the steps to install a new printer.

25
Q

Importing data is defined as __________ data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.

A

converting

[Explanation]

An example of importing data would be taking a column of numbers from a spreadsheet and importing it into a word processor.

26
Q

The systems main interface screen is called the _______ and displays icons which provide fast access to information and programs.

A

desktop

[Explanation]

The desktop is a feature of the GUI (graphic user interface) and is found in OS software like MAC OS and MS Windows.

27
Q

Small pictures on the desktop that represent documents, procedures and programs are called _____.

A

icons

[Explanation]

The icon is a major feature of the GUI. An example of an icon is a picture of a folder which represents a directory or a picture of a trash can to represent the recycle bin.

28
Q

A desktop ______ appears on the computer desktop and is a specialized utility that looks like a control and displays information.

A

widget

[Explanation]

Examples of desktop widgets include clocks, calendars, radios, calculators, etc..

29
Q

____________ software is designed to help people work more efficiently.

A

Productivity

[Explanation]

Productivity software includes word processing software, spreadsheets, presentation software and desktop publishing applications.

30
Q

____ art is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.

A

Clip

31
Q

_________ is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a network.

A

Groupware

[Explanation]

Groupware is designed to work over a local area network (LAN) or the internet. Meeting scheduling software is an example of groupware.

32
Q

An electronic bulletin board on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a _______.

A

newsgroup

[Explanation]

A newsgroup is also known as a forum and there are thousands of them on the Internet.

33
Q

The Windows ________ is a database that maintains a record of installed software and peripheral devices, preferences, and settings.

A

registry

[Explanation]

When you install software or hardware, information is recorded in the registry.

34
Q

A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.

A

work

[Explanation]

Computer resources include the CPU, RAM, storage space, and peripherals.

35
Q

In Windows, to see a list of active processes, you must open the ____ manager.

A

task

[Explanation]

By holding down the ctrl, alt, and del keys, Windows OS will open the task manager which displays a list of active processes.

36
Q

_______ is the operating system installed on more than 80% of the world’s personal computers.

A

Windows

[Explanation]

Microsoft Windows is the worlds best selling operating system.

37
Q

Reliability and ________ are MS Windows’ two major weaknesses.

A

security

38
Q

Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use, reliable, and secure operating system.

A

Intel

[Explanation]

Mac OS X includes a UNIX-based kernel which reduces the number of errors and glitches. This UNIX-based kernel also contributes to stronger security.

39
Q

_______________ technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer architecture on another.

A

Virtual machine

[Explanation]

An example of this would be to run Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux all on the same machine using virtual machine software.

40
Q

A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.

A

partition

[Explanation]

A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive letters. For example, drive C might contain the operating system and an additional partition labeled drive D could contain applications and data.

41
Q

Current versions of Windows support file names up to ___ characters long.

A

255

42
Q

A file _________ is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a period.

A

extension

[Explanation]

Examples of file extensions are doc, exe, pdf, gif, and mp3.

Introduction to Computing (8 decks)

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