LU3 - System Software

Question 1

BIOS ( Basic Input Ouput System)

Answer 1

A low-level software that resides in non-volatile ROM chip on computers motherboard

• Activates POST(Power On Self Test)
• Request information from CMOS(Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semi-conductor)
• Locates the MBR (Master Boot Record)

Question 2

Kernel

Answer 2

Core of computer’s operating system that remains in RAM

• Takes input/output requests and translates them into instructions which CPU can process
• Handles memory, keyboards, monitors, printers, speakers

Question 3

CMOS (Complimentary Metal-oxide-semiconductor)

Answer 3

Is a battery packed, volatile memory that stores:

Hardware settings
- Types of hardware installed on computer such as Disk Drive
User Settings
- current data and time

Question 4

UEFI Software (Unified Extended Firmware Interface)

Answer 4

Can boot from drives of 2.2 TB /larger
- Can run in 32-bit or 64-bit mode
- UEFI setup screens are a lot more friendly

• Supports secure boot

Question 5

Interrupts

Answer 5

A running program that is made up of multiple instructions to perform the task/s for the purpose(s) of the program

• Signal sent to CPU from hardware or software indicating the need for CPU’s attention

Question 6

Software Interrupts

Answer 6

Generated from programs

Question 7

Hardware Interrupts

Answer 7

Signal is sent from device

Such as keyboard indicating that a key has been pressed, or a printer indicating it has run out of paper

Question 8

IRQ (Interrupt Request Number)

Answer 8

Each device has its own unique IRQ which the CPU uses to identify which devices is interrupting it

Question 9

IO Range

Answer 9

A buffer, a temporary storage area in RAM, used to speed up a slow input/output device

Speeds up reading from/write to significantly.
- By transferring the whole file instead of each line from file individually

Question 10

Processing Techniques

Answer 10

Are designed to optimize the efficiency of a computer system

Question 11

Multitasking

Answer 11

Technique used by operating system to appear to be using several program simultaneously

Several programs are stored in computers RAM and the CPU switches very short burst of processing time between running programs

Question 12

Multi-threading

Answer 12

One program that has several different threads running at the same time

Question 13

Virtual Memory

Answer 13

Extends the amount of date to be swapped between RAM and the hard disk

Uses both hardware and software to enable a computer to compensate for physical memory shortages

Question 14

High-level languages

Answer 14

Coding languages
- where underlying workings of computer are hidden from programmer and are closer to human languages

(Python, JavaScript, Java)

These languages are utilized with the help of IDE’s

Question 15

Low-Level Languages

Answer 15

Closer to machine language and generally refer to machine language or assembly language

(Binary and Hexa-Decimal)

Question 16

Interpreters

Answer 16

Reads each program line, converts it to machine code and then executes it

Question 17

Compilers

Answer 17

Compiled languages are transformed into an executable form before running

Different types of compilation:

Machine code Generation
- Compile source directly into machine code by creating a new file called object code
- is machine dependant; meaning that compiled program can only be executed on a machine for which it has been compiled

Intermediate Representations
- Firstly compiled into an intermediate representation called bytecode
- Secondly it can be executed without the need to re-read the source code

Question 18

Machine Cycle

Answer 18

Fetch
- A program instruction from memory (RAM or Cache)

Decode
- Understand instruction using CPU’s instruction set

Execute
- Instruction using data if necessary

Store
- Result obtained back in memory or send to an output place

Question 19

Operating systems

Answer 19

Are a large part of system software

: Usually provide several management and housekeeping tools and untilities that allow user to run computer efficiently

User Interface:
- Command Line Interface
Works via the user entering typed commands with a keyboard

Graphical user interface:
The OS provides user with Windows, Icons, Mouse control, pull-down menus

Load and run programs:
The OS loads, runs and controls application programs

Resource management:
OS manages the computer resources (CPU, RM, Monitor, Storage Devices etc.)

Question 20

Drivers

Answer 20

OS uses drivers to link hardware to software

such a way that computer can perform its tasks when applications need to send instructions to the particular hardware device

Question 21

Programming tools and Related Applications

Answer 21

Simply anything that is classified as a computer program that can be used to create programs that work on their own

Source code:
Is the original code written by programmer

Executable Code:
The source code is Compiled to a separate file called object code which is executable code

Question 22

Utilities

Answer 22

Defragmentation:

A disk defragmenter rearranges fragmented dat on a mechanical hard disk so your disk can work more efficiently

Question 23

Software Distribution And Licensing Models

Answer 23

A software license legaly describes how software can be used and copied

Question 24

Proprietary License

Answer 24

This license does not allow the software to be freely distributed or copied

Question 25

Free or Open Source License

Answer 25

These share the source code of the software; and are referred to as copyleft licenses

Question 26

Creative Commons license

Answer 26

Allows you to keep the copyright of your work but still allows people to copy and distribute your work on the condition that they acknowledge your work

Question 27

Freeware

Answer 27

Is software that is copyrighted but given away by the author without any cost for the user to use, but not to resell

Question 28

Freemium Software

Answer 28

Is a variant of freeware where limited functions are provided free at no cost, but additional or more advanced features incur a cost

Question 29

Management of Files and Folders

Answer 29

A file structure is needed for the computer to know where files are stored

Question 30

Cloud-Base Storage

Answer 30

Dat is stored remotely as opposed to locally - Is accessible through the internet and certain applications

Question 31

Compressing

Answer 31

File Compression programs reduce the size of files - so they take up less storage or easier to transfer over the internet

Question 32

Decompression

Answer 32

All compression utilities contain a decompression utility to extract the compressed file

Question 33

Archive(ing)

Answer 33

Storing file in a compressed state for safe keeping when not in use

Question 34

Back-up

Answer 34

Is a way of making a copy of files or folder in case of data loss to a seperate location - backups can be automated

Question 35

Adding devices and drivers

Answer 35

Most drivers that are not provided with a device are downloaded from the interent

Question 36

Schedule(ing)

Answer 36

A scheduling utility may exist in the operating system on your computer - allows programs to run automatically at specified times with specified conditions (updates)

Question 37

Updating

Answer 37

Updating the operating system of a device over the internet, may allow new features and fixing prior versions issues

Question 38

Firewall

Answer 38

A device or set of devices that are designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules used to protect networks from unauthorised access

Question 39

Malware

Answer 39

Any program or file that is harmful to a computer Virus - can be obtained from: Infected flash drives Internet Sites Email attachments links

Question 40

Spyware

Answer 40

Computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a PC to intercept or take partial control over the users interaction with the computer

Question 41

Adware

Answer 41

is unwanted software that automatically displays or downloads tocomputer

Question 42

Anti-malware

Answer 42

Programs necessary to safeguard from malicious threats Antivirus - Software that needs to be continously updated to find the signature, and identifying piece of code embedded in virus program