Software Flashcards
What is an operating system?
An operating system (OS) is software which helps to manage the resources of a computer system and provide the interface between the user and the computer’s hardware.
What are some examples of an operating system?
Well known operating systems include Windows, Linux, Unix, iOS and Android.
What are the main 5 functions of the operating system?
The five main functions of an operating system are:
- Memory management and multi-tasking
- Peripheral management and drivers
- File management
- User Interfaces
- Security (user accounts/user interfaces)
What are the 4 main parts of the operating system?
The KERNEL
The DEVICE DRIVERS
The USER INTERFACE
The SYSTEM UTILITIES
What are the tasks of the Kernel?
- Loading / Unloading applications from memory
- Scheduling tasks to run efficiently on the CPU
- Memory management
- File storage to and from secondary storage devices such as the hard disk
- File management
- Data security
Why is the memory management in the kernel more efficient in phones then in PCs?
Because memory is such a limited resource on mobile phones, their operating systems require a more efficient memory management kernel as opposed to those running on PCs.
What is a user interface?
The user interface allows a person to interact with the computer. This means humans can navigate the computer system (Human-computer interaction) There are different types of user interfaces.
What are the 5 different user interfaces?
- Menu interface
- Command line interface
- Graphical user interface
Explain graphical user interface (GUI)
A graphical user interface (GUI) is the most commonly used interface. It is a very easy and natural way for people to interact with the computer because it makes use of pictures, graphics and icons - hence why it is called graphical. WIMP = Window Icons Mouse Pointer
This part of the operating system directs what you see on the screen and reacts to your key presses, mouse clicks and touch on a touch sensitive screen.
What is an example of a GUI
Some popular graphical user interfaces include the Windows, Mac OS X interface on an Apple computer and Gnome on Linux.
Explain Command line interface
A Command Line Interface is an entirely text-based system that allows the user to interact directly with the computer system by typing in commands (instructions) into a screen.
Explain Menu interface
