Operating Systems

Question 1

Operating

System

Answer 1

A suite of programs designed to control the operations of the computer. This software hides the complexities of the hardware from the user. It acts as the interface between the user and the hardware and provides the user with a virtual machine.

Question 2

Utility Software

Answer 2

Utility software is system software designed to help analyse, configure, optimise or maintain a computer.

Question 3

Batch OS

Answer 3

All data to be input is gathered together offline, then processed sequentially in one operation without manual intervention e.g. ATM

Question 4

Real time

control OS

Answer 4

An operating system that produces outputs from unpredictable, non-sequential and/or parallel inputs fast enough to affect the next input e.g. cars/chemical
plant

Question 5

Real time

transaction OS

Answer 5

Deals with each set of data from the user as it is submitted and the system is in two-way communication with the user. It uses predictable response times to requests. e.g. concert tickets

Question 6

Spooling

Answer 6

Carried out when a user wants to print several documents at once, documents placed in queue (or spool) and printed when printer is free.