Topic 2: Software Flashcards
What does application software allow?
This enables the comuter to do a particular task
Describe the function of Allocating Memory in system software.
- The Operating System looks for enough free space in RAM
- The empty space should be contiguous (in a row)
- Copy the application files or data files to the free space in RAM
Describe the function of Allocating Storage in system software.
- The Operating System will find a free space in secondary storage
- It wil copy files/data from memory to secondary storage
- It will update index to record where each piece of data is stored
- Then the OS looks for enough pace and copies/removes from memory when no longer needed.
Describe the function of Processing Time in system software.
Allocates processing time between the programs that are currently in use by dividing the time into a number of time slices and, depending on the priority of the tasks to be processed, each task is allocated a number of these time sciles.
Define real-time processing
Processing of data that occurs immediately data is input and updating occurs before the next input occurs
Define batch processing
Data is collected over a period of time, such as a day, and is processed together at a later time, such as overnight.
Define multi-user system processing
The Operating System switches between computers, giving each one a ‘time slice’
Describe real-time processing
- Data is processed immediately after it is inputted
- Data files are updated before the next transaction takes place
- The output generated is processed quickly enough to influence the next input recieved
Give examples of when real-time processing is used.
- airline/concert booking systems
- online stock control systems
- air traffic control systems
Describe batch processing
- Involves collecting groups of simmilar data over a period of time
- Data is input to a computer system at an off-peak time without any human involvement
- This type of processing suits applications where does not have to be processed immediately
Give examples of when batch processing is used
- billing systems
- payroll systems
- banking systems
Describe multi-user processing
- Involves many different computers sharing the same processor
- Works by the Operating System switching at high speed between the computers, giving each one in turn a small amount of processor time kown as a ‘time slice’
Give examples of when multi-user systems are used
- Office 365
- Google Docs
