operating systems Flashcards
(15 cards)
what does an OS do
manages hardware and provides a platform for different applications to run on
DIFFERENT MANAGEMENTS
what is an user interface (2)
program that allows users to interact with hardware / systems eg GUI and CLI
allows them to input data and display date on the screen
how does the OS manage memory (3)
1) controls the transfer of data between the VM and RAM by receiving data from the secondary storage and sending it to the main storage (RAM)
2) allocates certain applications to certain memory addresses to prevent them from overwriting each other
3) switches between them so fast it looks like it’s multitasking
how are peripherals managed
1) OS allows device drivers to be installed that act as translators which allow external hardware to communicate with the processor
2) allows data to be sent to and from peripherals (control them)
how does the OS manage users
os provides security through accounts and passwords
also sets different access rights
how does the OS manage files
(file management)
files/folders can be created, saved, opened, named, deleted, moved or edited
files are also allocated to folders
what does the utility software do (2)
preforms housekeeping actions and manages a computer system to help it run efficiently and smoothly
also preforms additional tasks that the OS doesn’t
what does the encryption software do (3)
scrambles / encodes data so that it cannot be understood when intercepted
then only authorised users can access personal data using a key
follows the data protection act
what causes defragmentation
occurs when files are saved on a hard disk then deleted and new files take up more space than there is left therefore splitting up the order of files to different areas
what is defragmentation (2)
1) when files/data are reorganised by collecting free space and moving files fragments together consecutively so they’re next to eachother
2) this means the access time is faster as individual files don’t have to be reassembled so less physical movement for the head of the read / write, hence saving time
what is data compression (2)
when an algorithm is used to remove unnecessary data eg reducing colour depth or the resolution
it also can reduce file sizes to use less storage, allowing faster transmission and more files to be stored
what are peripherals and examples
Peripherals are external devices connected to a computer. They input or output data, or store it.
eg mouse, printer, USB flash drive
why might someone use both incremental and full back up
full back up to save all files
incremental to save changed files which use up less memory to back up
types of utility sustem software
defragmentation, encryption firewall ( software )
IF OPEN SOURCE WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OR ADVANTAGES
CAN BE COPIED
CAN CHARGE A FEE
CAN BE EDITED
