Software Flashcards
What is the difference between software on dedicated and personal systems?
Dedicated software is custom made for a specific job and is only modified when updated. Software on personal systems is designed to be flexible and run differently depending on how the user wishes.
What are the three main types of software?
System software (Controls the hardware), Application software (Preforms a job for the user) and Utility software (used to maintain the computer system)
What is the job of system software?
To take care of controlling the low level interactions between the data in computer components. This allows the user to interact easily with the computer without having to worry about manually moving binary data around the computer. An operating system is system software.
What is User Interface (UI) Software?
Software that allows a person to interact with data in a more human like manner. Without it, all inputs would have to be binary programs. The UI is part of the OS.
What is a command line interface (CLI)?
A CLI requires a person to input commands in order to interact with data. Linux uses a CLI.
What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?
A GUI presents a user with graphical representations of data and commands that they can interact with, by clicking on and moving icons around. They can display many pieces of information simultaneously. Windows uses a GUI.
What is Malware/a Virus?
A program designed to forcefully enter a computer system and damage files, steal confidential data or take control of the system. It is illegal to create and/or purposely spread a virus.
What is encryption?
A way of scrambling documents so that only authorized personnel can de-code and read them.
What are the benefits of user accounts?
A user can have a store of only their data, and make sure that other cant access it. Different users can also be given different permissions on the system.
What is a text editor?
Like a cut down word processor used mainly for programming. Allow text to be written, saved and loaded. Notepad is the most common.
What is an IDE?
An Integrated development environment is like a word processor made specifically for programming. They often contain extremely useful tools for creating, running and de-bugging code.
What is an interpreter?
A module in an IDE that converts programs written in a programming language into machine code/binary.
What is an application?
A program designed to do a real world job (eg, autopilots that fly a plane, or games that entertain a user.)
What is a utility?
A program designed to interact with the computer system and make maintaining it easier (eg Security software which prevents viruses, or De-frag programs that organise the disk.)
What are the 4 main ways that software can be distributed?
Custom written, Off the shelf, Open source and Proprietary.
