Topic 2-Software

Question 1

Application software

Answer 1

Programs designed for an end user to do a particular task,such as word-processing and spreadsheet,programs

Application software enables the computer to do a particular task,such as word processing

Question 2

System software

Answer 2

Includes the operating system and all utility programs that enable the computer to operate its hardware and applications software

System software:

• Is the interface between computer hardware and user application
• Enables the computer to operate its hardware and applications software
• Includes the operating system and utility programs

Question 3

Real-Time processing

Answer 3

Processing of data occurs immediately after data is input and updating occurs before the next input occurs

Applications which use real-time processing include:

• Airline/concert booking systems
• Online stock control systems
• Air traffic control systems

Question 4

Batch processing

Answer 4

Data is collected over a period of time,such as a day,and is processed together at later time,such as overnight

Applications which use batch processing include:

• Billing systems (e.g. electricity/gas/telephone)
• Payroll systems (on a weekly on monthly basis)
• Banking systems (producing monthly customer statements)

Question 5

Multi-user system

Answer 5

It involves many users at different computers each sharing a processor.The operating system switches between computers,giving each one a ‘time slice’

Applications which use Multi-user systems include:
-Multi-user database management systems

Question 6

Utility application

Answer 6

A program that preforms a very specific task in managing system resources,such as a backup program

Question 7

Disc defragmentation

Answer 7

• Rearranges the data stored on a hard disc so that files are stored in adjacent blocks
• All the free blocks (free storage space) are together in the same part of the disk
• Speeds up the time it takes to access files because all the data is stored in the same area of the disk

Question 8

Task scheduling

Answer 8

• Processor time is divided amongst a number of tasks
• Uses time slices
• Implemented using a ‘round robin’ method

Question 9

Data backup and restore

Answer 9

-A second copy of a file made and stored on a different storage device in case the original file gets lost,or becomes corrupted or physically damaged

Backup is used to restore data to its original state

Question 10

Virus

Answer 10

• Its main purpose is to detect,locate and remove a virus that can infect a computer system
• A virus is a program that can attach itself to a file and then spread to other files
• A virus can intentionally damage a computer system,prevent it from booting up or slow down the performance of a computer
• Scans

Question 11

Role of anti-virus software

Answer 11

• Its main purpose is to detect,locate and remove a virus that can infect a computer system
• Anti-Virus software scans files stored on a computer and data entering a computer system,and compares these to a known database of viruses
• The software can scan all storage devices connected to a computer,such as the internal hard drive,USB memory pens and so on