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.Computer Science > Chapter 4 - Software > Flashcards

Chapter 4 - Software Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a software?

A

A series of instructions written in a programming language that performs a function.

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2
Q

What is system software?

A

A type of software that manages the hardware and software in a computer.

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3
Q

What are the two types of system software?

A
  1. Operating system (OS)
  2. Utility programs
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4
Q

What is an operating system (OS)?

A

A program that manages the computer, allows the user to communicate with the computer and allows software to be run.

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5
Q

What are utility programs?

A

System software that performs house-keeping activities.

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6
Q

What is application software?

A

Software that allows the user to perform a useful task.

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7
Q

What are some examples of application software?

A
  • Word processor
  • Spreadsheet
  • Database
  • Web browser
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8
Q

What is a word processor?

A

A type of application software that allows the user to create text-based documents.

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9
Q

What is a spreadsheet?

A

A type of application software that performs calculations on data.

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10
Q

What is a database?

A

A type of application software that allows the user to store and manipulate data.

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11
Q

What is a web browser?

A

A type of application software that that retrieves and displays web pages.

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12
Q

What is firmware?

A

Instructions that are stored in the ROM and are loaded when the computer starts.

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13
Q

What is the bootstrap?

A

The first commands loaded when a computer starts which checks hardware and loads firmware.

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14
Q

What is an interface?

A

The method by which a user communicates with a computer.

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15
Q

What are the 3 different types of interface?

A
  1. Graphical User Interface (GUI)
  2. Command line interface
  3. Natural language interface
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16
Q

What is the Graphical User Interface (GUI)?

A

A type of operating system that includes windows, icons, menus and pointers.

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17
Q

What is the command line interface?

A

A type of operating system where the user types commands.

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18
Q

What is the natural language interface?

A

A type of operating system that allows the user to type or speak commands.

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19
Q

What is a peripheral?

A

A hardware device used to input, store or output data from a computer and is not directly part of the computer itself.

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20
Q

What is a driver?

A

A program that controls a device (e.g. printer, keyboard).

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21
Q

What is an interrupt?

A

A signal sent to the processor to tell it that its attention is required.

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22
Q

How can the OS manage a computer? (8)

A
  • Provides an interface
  • Manages files
  • Manages peripherals and drivers
  • Manages memory
  • Manages multitasking
  • Manages interrupts
  • Provides a platform for running applications
  • Manages user accounts
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23
Q

How does the OS provide an interface?

A

Allows the user to enter data and outputs data to the user.

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24
Q

What actions does the OS allow the user to perform to manage files?

A
  • Use application software to create a file
  • Move files
  • Copy files
  • Delete files
  • Name/rename files
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25
How does the OS manage peripherals and drivers?
Allows the installation of drivers and the sending of data to and from them.
26
How does the OS manage memory?
- Manages movement of data to and from hardware - Checks processes being carried out and makes sure they have enough memory allocated to perform their function - Makes sure two processes do not try access the same memory location
27
How does the OS manage multitasking?
Decides which processes should be executed next by the processor and how long they can spend being processed before switching to another process by using interrupts.
28
How does the OS manage interrupts?
Decides which interrupt to run and then performs the actions required.
29
How does the OS provide a platform for running applications?
Allows the application software (written by anyone using any language) to run on the computer by fetching instructions from it and executing them.
30
How does the OS manage user accounts?
- Allows user to set up an account - Keeps the data separate for multiple accounts - Restricts access by using the password
31
What are examples of software interrupts?
- Division by 0 - Two processes attempting to access same memory location - Program request for input - Output required - Data required from memory
32
What are examples of hardware interrupts?
- Data input (e.g. key press, mouse click) - Error from hardware (e.g. printer out of paper) - Hardware failure - Hard drive signal that it has read data - New hardware device connected
33
What is an interrupt handler (IH)?
A program that organises interrupts into an order based upon priorities.
34
What is the interrupt service routine (ISR)?
A program that retrieves an interrupt and performs the requires action(s).
35
What is the sequence of activities for an interrupt queue?
1. When processor finishes current FDE cycle/before starting a new one, it checks the interrupt queue 2. Checks whether there is an interrupt with higher priority than current task being processed 3. If there is, it: ‎ - Stores current process and fetches interrupt ‎‎‎ - Checks source of interrupt ‎ - Calls relevant ISR ‎ - When finished, stored process is returned to memory or ‎ another higher-priority interrupt is fetched 4. If there isn't, it runs another FDE cycle
36
What are the 2 categories of programming languages?
1. High-level 2. Low-level
37
What is a high-level language?
A type of programming language that uses English-like commands.
38
What is a low-level language?
A language closer to the machine's language (machine code or assembly language).
39
What are some examples of high-level languages?
- Python - Java - VB.NET
40
What is a portable program?
A program that can be run on different types and manufacturers of computers.
41
What are the two main types of low-level language?
1. Machine code 2. Assembly language
42
What is machine code?
Binary code, example of low-level language.
43
What is assembly language?
Code written in mnemonics that allows direct manipulation of hardware. Must be converted into binary code to run.
44
What is a non portable program?
A program that cannot be run on different types and manufacturers of computers.
45
What are mnemonics?
Instruction code used in assembly language.
46
What are the advantages and disadvantages of high-level languages?
Advantages: - Easier for users to understand, read, write and amend - Easier for users to debug code - Portable, machine independent - One statement can represent many low-level instructions Disadvantages: - Must be converted into a low-level language before it can run - Cannot directly manipulate hardware
47
What are the advantages and disadvantages of low-level languages?
Advantages: - Does not need converting (assembly must be assembled before execution, but this is faster than from a high-level language) - Can directly manipulate hardware which can make program more efficient in terms of speed and memory usage Disadvantages: - Harder for users to understand, read, write and amend - Harder for users to debug code - Not portable, machine dependent - Several instructions needed for each high-level language statement
48
What is a translator?
A type of software that converts code written in one programming language into another (usually a high-level into a low-level language).
49
What is an assembler?
Converts assembly language into machine code.
50
What is an interpreter?
A translator that converts a high-level language into a low-level language. Checks one line of code then executes it before checking the next.
51
What is a compiler?
A translator that converts a high-level language into a low-level language. Checks all code before running program.
52
What is an executable file?
A file produced by a compiler that can be run independent of translator software and does not include source code.
53
What are the characteristics of an interpreter?
- Translates one line of code into machine code then executes it - Reports syntax error as soon as it is picked up ad stops program from running until corrected - Useful when writing program - Code needs to be re-translated each time the program is run - Does not produce an executable file - Source code is required to run the program - Interpreter software is required to run the program - Can test part of a program without completing it all
54
What are the characteristics of a compiler?
- Translates all lines of code into machine code before executing the program - Reports all syntax errors at the same time and program is not run until all errors are corrected - Useful when a program has been finished and is ready for testing or distribution - Code does not need re-translating each time the program is run - Produces an executable file - Source code is not requires to run the program, only executable file - No other software is required to run the executable file - Need to have finished a section of code before testing it
55
What is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)?
A piece of software that allows a user to write, test and run program code.
56
What is an editor?
A feature of an IDE that allows the user to enter and amend program code.
57
Which features does an editor include?
- Auto-completion - Auto-correction - Prettyprint - Block minimising
58
What is auto-completion?
A feature of an editor that gives the user options when they start typing a command.
59
What is auto-correction?
A feature of an editor that identifies spelling errors and changes them.
60
What is prettyprint?
A feature of an editor that changes the colour of text (e.g. to highlight key words).
61
What is block minimising?
A feature of an editor that allows the user to make sections of codes (such as procedures) minimised so there is less code to read through.
62
What is run-time environment?
A feature of an IDE that allows a program to be run and lets the user interact with the program.
63
What are some examples of the debugging features an IDE provides?
- Break points - Variable watch window - Stepping
64
What are break points?
Points that the user can set where the code stops running on the same line. This lets the user check the values and output from the code to that point.
65
What is a variable watch window?
The values of the variables are displayed while the code is running so they can be checked whether they are correct.
66
What is stepping?
Program will run one line at a time and the user has to tell the program to move on to the next line so it can be checked line by line.

.Computer Science (7 decks)

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