A3 Computer Software in an IT system Flashcards
What are the different types of Operating Systems?
-Real Time Operating System (RTOS)
-Single-User, Single-Task Operating Systems
-Single-User, Multi-Tasking Operating System
-Multi-User Operating System
What is a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)
-Monitors data inputs and processes and responds instanteously
What is a Single-User, Single-Task Operating System
Used by 1 person and 1 app, e.g old phones which can only do one thing at a time
What is a Single-User, Multi-Tasking Operating System
Runs many apps e.g Windows 10, iOS - for general purpose computing devices : personal computers, smartphones
What is a Multi-User Operating System
Many Users can use the PC system & resources at once, e.g UNIX : powerful servers, supercomputers - very expensive!
Functions/Roles of Operating System
(5 of them)
Operating Systems have many functions, these functions allow us to run the software, transmit data, communicate with peripherals & keep system secure, these include:
-Networking
-Security
-Memory Management
-Multi-Tasking
-Device Drivers
Role of Operating Systems (Networking)
> connecting to the internet eg. TCP/IP = protocols to transmit data over the internet
utility programs, managing & maintaining your network
Role of Operating Systems (Security)
> Operating System has pre-installed tools to protect PC from threats e.g AntiVirus & Firewall Software & user authentication (login system), backup facilities
Role of Operating Systems (Memory Management)
> Software app, need to be loaded into main memory so they can run
-PC has finite amount of memory
Functions for efficient use of memory; e.g paging, Operating Systems assigns apps to ‘virtual memory’. Virtual Memory is a portion of the hard disk that is used as an extension of your main memory = pagefile
Role of Operating Systems (Multi-Tasking)
> Operating System will assign small amounts of processor time to each app, this happens quickly so it seems like they are running simultaneously.
PCs have limited memory & processing power meaning that if you open too many apps it will slow down the PC
Role of Operating Systems (Device Drivers)
> Operating System is responsible for peripheral devices to input & output data to PC, uses device drivers
Device driver - small software program controls the devices you connect to your PC (come with pre-installed drivers so different devices can communicate with the PC & you can install more device drivers)
Different types of User Interfaces
- Graphical User Interface (GUI)
- Command Line Interface (CLI)
- Menu Based Interface
- Adapted Interface
Graphical User Interface
-What its used for
-Advantages and Disadvantages
-Windows 10, iOS
->graphical icons & images
= WIMP interface
-> Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers
+ Easy to use, doesn’t need to learn complex commands. Intuitive Interface
+ Easy to move data by software app, copy & paste
- More processing power used & more main memory to run (old systems don’t have much)
- Slow to perform tasks for experienced users. Many tasks require more actions to complete
Command Line Interface
-What its used for
-Advantages and Disadvantages
(CLI) - for managing & maintaining network, efficient
-> Plain background with text prompt that would allow you to enter commands to perform actions
+ Experienced users find it quicker to complete task
+ Simplicity = less memory & processing power to run. Also can run on weaker PC systems & less space on hard disk required
- Need to know various commands, Difficult for beginners
- Not intuitive as it requires training
Menu Based Interface
-What its used for
-Advantages and Disadvantages
-> list of options - submenus
ATM, Self Service Tills, Fast Food Places
+ Easy to use, limited actions, clear options which means its user friendly
+ Easily adapted interface for different users (translates language & options can be spoken)
- frustrating with more sub menus = more time to navigate
- Limited options, complex actions can’t be performed
Adapted Interface
-What its used for
-Advantages and Disadvantages
->Alters its presentation, layout & options to suit the user
>windows - font size, colours, cursor sizes, screen resolution & can be altered to run on phone/tablet
+ Fits users needs = more accessibility & less confusion for beginners
- Needs to adapt to the understanding of the user = time consuming
Factors Affecting use & performance of an Operating System (3)
-Hardware
-Malware
-Virtual Memory
Factors Affecting use & performance of an Operating System ( Hardware )
-If Operating System runs out of RAM/CPU = freezing & crashing
-Overtime hard disk becomes fragmented which means the data that makes up files & apps are split into different locations across hard disk which means its harder to locate all data required = slows down loading time
Factors Affecting use & performance of an Operating System ( Malware )
-> corrupt data, affect network traffic & disabling / taking over functions of Operating System
-> slow down & crash system
Factors Affecting use & performance of an Operating System ( Virtual Memory)
-> Not efficient as main memory meaning less perfomance
-> When the Operating System has to constantly switch data between main memory & virtual memory = known as thrashing it degrades PC performance
-> or when pagefile is too small & can’t support main memory
What are utility softwares?
They perform single/specific tasks in maintaining performance. Keeps system working in good order
Role & Performance of Utility Software in our computer system ( disk defragmenter )
-> Hard disk drives are prone to fragmentation - affects read/write times
-> Disk defragmenter - analyses hard disk & regroup data so that data relating to same application/file are in same location
-> If you don’t regularly run disk defragmenter the hard disk becomes heavily fragmented meaning running utility takes hours and even longer if using apps
Role & Performance of Utility Software in our computer system ( Software Updates)
-> to keep it secure & access new features & remove bugs
-> software update utility, automatically updates apps
>Automatic updates, downloaded over internet which relies on fast internet connection. Lots of updates = more time taken = poor internet performance when downloading
Role & Performance of Utility Software in our computer system ( AntiVirus)
-> Scans newly added files, software & storage devices connected
-> Size of storage devicee, amount of data being used & how fragmented it is } = more time for scan
-> Existing malware/other app running will interfere with scan & take more time
