Section 1- Systems Software

Question 1

What is systems software designed to do?

Answer 1

Run and maintain a computer system

Question 2

What is the most important type of systems software?

Answer 2

Operating System (OS)

Question 3

What is the runner-up to the operating system in systems software?

Answer 3

Utility software

Question 4

What are the main functions of an Operating System (OS)?

Answer 4

• Communicate with internal and external hardware via device drivers
• Provide a user interface
• Provide a platform for applications to run
• Allow multi-tasking by controlling memory and CPU
• Manage file and disk management
• Manage system security

Question 5

What do operating systems use to communicate with hardware?

Answer 5

Device driver software

Question 6

What do device drivers act as between the OS and hardware?

Answer 6

Translators for the signals

Question 7

What happens when a computer is booted up regarding device drivers?

Answer 7

The OS chooses the correct device drivers for detected hardware

Question 8

What does the OS do when new hardware is connected?

Answer 8

Installs the new, matching driver

Question 9

Why might device manufacturers release updates to device drivers?

Answer 9

• Fix bugs
• Add features
• Improve performance

Question 10

How can updates to device drivers be installed?

Answer 10

• Automatically by the OS
• Manually by the user

Question 11

What can the terms ‘application’ and ‘program’ be used to describe?

Answer 11

Computer software

Question 12

Fill in the blank: Device drivers let the OS and _______ talk to each other.

Answer 12

Hardware

Question 13

True or False: Some operating systems will automatically find and install drivers when a new device is plugged in.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What is the role of memory buffers in a computer system?

Answer 14

Memory buffers store data until the component, device, or process is ready.

Question 15

How does the operating system (OS) manage the flow of data?

Answer 15

The OS organizes the movement of data to and from virtual memory.

Question 16

What does the OS do to ensure efficient execution of instructions?

Answer 16

The OS arranges processes in an efficient order for instruction execution.

Question 17

What does a memory manager do?

Answer 17

A memory manager allocates memory to applications to prevent them from interfering with each other.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: Operating Systems that can run multiple applications at the same time are called _______.

Answer 18

multi-tasking OSs.

Question 19

True or False: Command-line interfaces are more resource-heavy than GUIs.

Answer 19

False.

Question 20

What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?

Answer 20

A GUI is a visual, interactive, and intuitive platform for users to interact with a computer system.

Question 21

What allows users to automate processes in command-line interfaces?

Answer 21

Scripts (simple programs).

Question 22

What is a key characteristic of GUIs compared to command-line interfaces?

Answer 22

GUIs are optimized for everyday users by being visual and intuitive.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The OS allows multi-tasking by managing _______ and CPU processing time.

Answer 23

resources.

Question 24

What are the input methods for GUIs?

Answer 24

WIMP (windows, icons, menus, and pointers).

Question 25

What is the main purpose of a user interface in an operating system?

Answer 25

To allow the user to interact with a computer system.

Question 26

What is the primary role of the operating system in file management?

Answer 26

The OS is responsible for the organisation of data into a usable hierarchical structure, including naming, saving, movement, editing, and deletion of data.

Question 27

What do file extensions indicate?

Answer 27

File extensions indicate the type of file, such as .jpg for images or .mp3 for music.

Question 28

How does the OS manage the hard disk?

Answer 28

The OS splits the physical disk into storage sectors, decides which sectors to write data to, and keeps track of free space on the disk.

Question 29

What is the purpose of file compression software?

Answer 29

File compression software can reduce the size of individual files.

Question 30

What does encryption software do?

Answer 30

Encryption software scrambles data to secure the contents of files.

Question 31

What is the function of defragmentation software?

Answer 31

Defragmentation software helps to organise and maintain the hard disk by collecting all the free space together.

Question 32

What are the two types of operating systems based on user access?

Answer 32

Single-user and multi-user operating systems.

Question 33

What is a characteristic of single-user operating systems?

Answer 33

Single-user operating systems allow only one user to use the computer at once.

Question 34

Can multiple user accounts exist in single-user operating systems?

Answer 34

Yes, even if the computer has multiple user accounts, it is still considered a single-user operating system.

Question 35

What is an example of a multi-user operating system?

Answer 35

UNIX server.

Question 36

What is the role of user accounts in an operating system?

Answer 36

User accounts allow different users to be granted access to specific data or resources on a computer system.

Question 37

What measures do operating systems have to prevent unauthorized access?

Answer 37

Operating systems may have anti-theft measures such as password or PIN protection, pattern drawing, or biometric scanners.

Question 38

Fill in the blank: The OS handles _______ and Disk Management.

Answer 38

File

Question 39

True or False: Multi-user operating systems allow several users to use the computer at the same time.

Answer 39

True

Question 40

What utility software in Windows allows users to navigate and edit the file structure?

Answer 40

File Explorer

Question 41

What is the purpose of utility system software?

Answer 41

To help maintain or configure a computer ## Footnote Utility software can include various tools for system management.

Question 42

What do defragmentation utilities do?

Answer 42

Put broken up files back together ## Footnote They reorganize data on the hard drive.

Question 43

What happens to files stored on a hard disk over time?

Answer 43

They become fragmented ## Footnote This occurs due to moving, deleting, and changing the size of files.

Question 44

How does fragmentation affect disk performance?

Answer 44

Slows down reading and writing ## Footnote The read/write head has to move back and forth across the disk.

Question 45

What does defragmentation software do?

Answer 45

Reorganizes data and collects free space ## Footnote This helps to prevent further fragmentation.

Question 46

What is the effect of fragmentation on SSDs?

Answer 46

Fragmentation doesn't cause problems ## Footnote SSDs can access data just as quickly regardless of arrangement as they use flash storage.

Question 47

What is the purpose of compression software?

Answer 47

Makes files smaller ## Footnote Standard formats include zip and .rar.

Question 48

What must be done before using compressed files?

Answer 48

They need to be extracted ## Footnote Compressed files take up less disk space and are quicker to download.

Question 49

What is the function of encryption software?

Answer 49

Helps protect files by scrambling data ## Footnote This prevents unauthorized access to the data.

Question 50

What is a key in the context of encryption?

Answer 50

A special code needed to decrypt data ## Footnote It allows authorized users to unscramble and understand the data.

Question 51

True or False: Strong forms of encryption are easy to crack.

Answer 51

False ## Footnote They are very difficult to break, making data secure.

Question 52

Name some other types of utility software.

Answer 52

* Disk cleaners * Registry cleaners * System restore * File managers * Anti-virus software * Firewalls * Automatic updating tools * System diagnosis tools ## Footnote These tools assist in various aspects of system management.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: Compression software reduces the size of files by _______ data from them.

Answer 53

permanently or temporarily removing ## Footnote This process helps save disk space.