Topic 6 Flashcards
What does a computer require to create a functional solution?
Hardware and software
Name the 4 types of system software
Operating systems (OS)
Library programs
Utility programs
programming language translators
What are the 3 types of application software?
General purpose (GP) Specialised applications (SA) Bespoke applications (BA)
What is the operating system
The operating system is the software that controls the hardware and hides the complexity of the hardware by creating a platform to run application software
Name the benefits of an operating system?
Hiding the complexity of the hardware with a Windows -based operating system helps create a virtual machine that has a user-friendly interface and operates in the same manner irrespective of the manufacturer or the computer system.
What are library programs?
Library programs are pre-written software that is stored in compiled format and can be included by by the programmer. Library functions are used to assist the programmer.
What are utility programs?
Utility programs are a range of systems software that is designed to help the user to manage, maintain and optimise the system
What are programming language translators?
Programming language translators translate the code into different languages while maintaining the functionality of the code.
What are the three types of programming language translators?
Assembler - used for assembly language programs
Compiler - All in one go
Interpreter - Line by line
What level language is machine code?
Low (1st Generation)
What level language is assembly language?
Low (2nd Generation)
What level language is python, java, C+ etc?
High
What level language is declarative language? For example, SQL or CSS
High
What level language is imperative language?
High
Why would you write in low level code?
It can create faster and more efficient as you control the performance level of the code.
It also is more memory efficient as there is less abstraction than high level languages
Why would you write in high level code?
It is easier to learn
It not is specific to processors unlike assembly language or machine code
What is source code?
It is the language instructions written by the programmer. It cannot be executed directly by the computer
What is object code?
It is code translated from the source code using a compiler or assembler that can be executed by the computer
What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?
Compiler does it as a whole whereas interpreter does it line by line
How are binary numbers stored in a computer system?
Binary numbers are stored in a computer system in a computer system as different voltage levels where low is 0 and high voltage is 1.
Explain half adder logic
Half adder circuit carries out addition on two numbers only
Explain full adder logic
Full adder circuit carries out addition on two numbers and a carry bit
A series of half/full adders can be used to add one/two binary numbers, as the carry bit is available at each/one stage of the calculation
A series of full adders can be used to add two binary numbers, as the carry bit is available at each stage of the calculation
