Systems software speed revisin Flashcards
What is multitasking? Why is it needed?
Multitasking is where multiple programs can be executed side by side.
needed when executing multiple programs at once and efficiently manage computer resources
e.g listening to music and performing a backup
What is memory management?
Process of controlling computer’s memory in order to optimise its perfromance.
Use to allocate memory to programs that need it, and free memory where available
Crucial in making sure that more than one thing can run at a time e.g more than 1 document open (allows multitasking to happen)
What is a peripheral?
any computer hardware that is not part of CPU e.g. mouse, keyboard, printer etc.
What is a device driver?
A piece of software
What is a buffer?
An area of RAM, which is controlled by the OS, which holds data so that the OS can perform a different task
Why are peripheral management and device drivers needed in the OS?
Drivers provide an interface so that the OS can communicate with the peripheral (external device)
Drivers are hard-ware dependent and OS specific, so they can translate the OS instruction in a way that the hardware can understand.
Drivers can also be updated to remove bugs for example
As the CPU and peripherals process data at different speeds, the buffer is used to temporarily store data so that the data can be processed.
What is systems software?
manages and controls computer hardware.
What is user management?
A function, which allows you to create, update, manage and delete your users for your systems and applications.
What is user management used for?
User registration
Login (authentication)
Authorisations e.g access levels given to users
Auditing (keeping track) of files a user creates, accessed, edits and deletes
It is important as it enables adminstrators to manage and grant user access, and control user accounts
What is user interface?
User interface is a program, or set of programs, that allows a user to interact with a computer.
Examples include graphical user interface, which uses visual elements like windows, icons etc.
touch-bases user interface - like tapping, swiping, pinching
voice user interface - use of spoken commands, hands free
etc.
What is the point of file management?
Businesses utilize file management systems, aka file managers, in order to store, organise, track and manage documents. This could include text documents, pictures videos etc.
Why is file management needed and what are its uses?
Needed for:
improving efficiency
organised system
allows for quicker and easier retrieval of necessary files
Uses:
Naming files
Allocating to folders
Moving files
copying and pasting
sharing files with others
saving files etc.
What are the 4 main functions of utility software?
Encryption
Defragmentation
Data compression
Backup software
What does each of the utility software do and why is it used?
Encryption “disguises” the contents of files (like scrambles the data) so it is only read by the authrorised user.
Degramentation - on a hard drive, files are stored as segments rather than a whole file, which can be split up over a diskor kept together (this is known as fragmentation). Over time, as more files are stored on the hard disk, it can make reading/writing to the disk longer and harder, so defragmentation is used, as it takes the fragmented files and segments and rearranges them so they run contiguously. This decreases read/write time, speeding up computer performance.
Data compression - reduces the size of a file on secondary storage, making them easier to transfer over a network as less packets need to be sent.
Backup software - regular copies of data are made in case of the orginal copy of the data being lost or deleted.
Full backup - making a copy of every single file on a computer or network, this can be time consuming and requires a lot of storage space.
Incremental backup - makes a copy of every new file since the last backup - all data is backed up and daily backups are less time consuming.
If data is lost, full backup is restored first, then any incremental backups since then.
