5: Hardware and Software

Question 1

define hardware

Answer 1

physical components of a computer

Question 2

define software

Answer 2

code / programs of the computer

Question 3

explain what is meant by system software

Answer 3

• set of programs and routines that enables a computers hardware to function

Question 4

explain what is meant by application software

Answer 4

programs designed to perform specific tasks for users

Question 5

application software

give the 3 types of software that application software is catergorised into

Answer 5

• general purpose software
• bespoke software
• special purpose software

Question 6

application software

• explain what general purpose software is
• give an example

Answer 6

• off the shelf software that can be used for various tasks
• Eg, word processor

Question 7

application software

• explain what bespoke software is
• give an example

Answer 7

• tailor-made software developed for a specific user
• Eg, inventory managaemnt software designed for a business

Question 8

application software

• explain what special purpose software is
• give an example

Answer 8

• software created to perform one specific task
• Eg, CAD

Question 9

application software

give 2 advantages and disadvatages of general purpose sofware

Answer 9

advantages

• wide availability
• cost effective
• familiarity

disadvantages

• lack of customization
• limited flexibility

Question 10

application software

give 2 advantages and disadvantages of bespoke software

Answer 10

advantages

• tailored to specific needs
• enhanced efficiency

disadvantages

• high cost
• longer development time
• maintenance and support

Question 11

system software

give 4 types of system software

Answer 11

• operating system (OS)
• utility software
• libraries
• translator software

Question 12

system software

explain what utility software is

Answer 12

• software that has a specific task to perfrom related to the working of a computer

Question 13

system software

explain what translator software is

what are the 3 types

Answer 13

• software that allows programs to be written and run on computers
• assembler, interpreter and compiler

Question 14

system software

explain what is meant by an operating system

Answer 14

• set of programs that manages computer hardware resources

Question 15

system software

list 3 functions of an operating system

Answer 15

• processor managament
• memory managament
• power management
• scheduling

Question 16

system software

what is the role of the operating system

Answer 16

hides the complexities of the hardware from the user

Question 17

system software

explain priority scheduling

Answer 17

• the scheduler chooses the tasks to perform based on its priority
• each process is assigned a priority

Question 18

system software

explain round robin scheduling

Answer 18

distributes work evenly among all available resources

Question 19

what is virtual memory

Answer 19

• when the RAM is full the hard drive is used as a temporary storage of data

Question 20

system software

explain what library programs do

Answer 20

collections of compiled routines which are shared by multiple programs

Question 21

system software

explain what a DLL is

Answer 21

• dynmic link library
• collection of small programs that large programs can load when needed