Systems software - topic 5 Flashcards
What is the purpose of an operating system (OS)?
It manages the hardware and software of a computer, and provides a user interface.
Name four key functions of an operating system.
Memory management
File management
Process management
User interface control
What is memory management?
The OS allocates RAM to programs and frees it when it’s no longer needed.
What does the OS do when you open multiple programs?
It uses multitasking, sharing CPU time between programs so they appear to run at the same time.
What is file management?
The OS handles saving, opening, and organizing files (e.g. folders, file types, read/write access).
What is the user interface (UI)?
It’s how the user interacts with the system – e.g. graphical (GUI) or command line (CLI).
Why is user access control important?
It helps keep systems secure by only letting authorised users access certain features or files.
What is utility software?
Utility programs help maintain and improve the performance of a computer system.
Name 3 examples of utility software.
Encryption software
Defragmentation
Compression software
What does encryption software do?
It scrambles data so only someone with the correct key can read it – keeps data secure.
What does defragmentation software do?
It rearranges files on a hard disk to put related data together, making the system faster.
What does compression software do?
It reduces the size of files so they take up less space or send faster over networks.
What is backup software?
It makes a copy of files in case of data loss or system failure.
What’s the difference between full backup and incremental backup?
Full backup: Copies everything.
Incremental backup: Only copies files changed since the last backup.
A user says their PC is slow. Which utility software could help and why?
Defragmentation could speed up the hard drive by organising files more efficiently.
A company sends sensitive files over the internet. What should they use?
Encryption software – it keeps the data safe from hackers during transfer.
Why is backing up important for a business?
To avoid losing important data if there’s a hardware failure or cyberattack.
Explain why different users have different access levels.
It improves security and prevents unauthorised changes (e.g. guests vs admins).
