Fundamentals of Computer Systems

Question 1

What is hardware?

Answer 1

The physical components of a computer system (monitor, keyboard)

Question 2

What is software?

Answer 2

The programs and operating systems that run on hardware - they provide instructions on which tasks should be performed

Question 3

System software is..

Answer 3

The software that manages and controls a computer system
Hides complexity of hardware from the user

Question 4

Examples of system software

Answer 4

Operating systems, utility programs

Question 5

What is application software?

Answer 5

Software that allows users to perform specific tasks

Question 6

Example of application software..

Answer 6

Word processor, web browser.

Question 7

System Software examples..

Answer 7

• Operating System
• Utility Programs
• Library Programs
• Translators

Question 8

What does the Operating System do?

Answer 8

It allows the user to control the computer whilst hiding its complexity.
- Manages memory
- Schedules
- Processes tasks
- Handles interrupts

Question 9

What do utility programs do?

Answer 9

They perform “housekeeping” tasks
- Data backup
- Defragmentation
- Compression
- Encryption

Question 10

What are library programs, what do they do?

Answer 10

They contain pre-written code that programmers use to perform common tasks
- Sorting lists

Question 11

What do translators do?

Answer 11

They convert code from one programming language to another so that the processor can execute the instruction.

Question 12

Role of OS?

Answer 12

Manages and controls resources, memory and processor scheduling

Question 13

Examples of OS?

Answer 13

Windows, MacOS

Question 14

Role of utility programs?

Answer 14

Optimises and organises the computer system

Question 15

Examples of utility programs?

Answer 15

Defragmentation software, anti-virus software, task manager

Question 16

Role of library programs?

Answer 16

Pre-written code to help programmers to perform tasks

Question 17

Examples of library programs?

Answer 17

.NetFramework
.NetCore

Question 18

What is the role of translators?

Answer 18

Converts code to different programming language so it can be understood

Question 19

Examples of translators?

Answer 19

Assembler, compiler and interpreter

Question 20

Half adder logic circuit?

Answer 20

Question 21

Half adder truth table?

Answer 21

Question 22

What does a half adder logic circuit do?

Answer 22

Takes two inputs and produces 2 outputs - a sum and carry.

Question 23

Full adder logic circuit? (Don’t have to draw)

Answer 23

Question 24

Full adder truth table?

Answer 24

Question 25

What does a full adder do?

Answer 25

Takes in 3 inputs and produces 2 outputs - the sum and the carry.

Question 26

What does an assembler do?

Answer 26

Convert assembly language to machine code

Question 27

What does a compiler do?

Answer 27

It translates source code to machine code all at once

Question 28

What does an interpreter do?

Answer 28

It translates source code to machine code line by line

Question 29

When is it appropriate to use an interpreter over a compiler?

Answer 29

- When debugging code as it will stop once it hits an error, easier to find

Question 30

When is it appropriate to use a compiler over a interpreter?

Answer 30

- Generally faster to execute compiled code as it's translated ahead of time - No need to keep retranslating code

Question 31

What is bytecode?

Answer 31

A platform-independent intermediate language generated by some compilers.

Question 32

Why do we use bytecode?

Answer 32

To enhance portability and allow execution on multiple platforms via a virtual machine.