T4: Software

Question 1

define a system software

and 3 examples

Answer 1

system softwares provide the services that the computer requires

operating system, utility programs and device drivers

Question 2

define application software

Answer 2

provides the services that the user requires

such as spreadsheet, word processor

Question 3

role of system software (3)

Answer 3

• controls and manages the operation of hardware and allocates hardware resources
• gives the platform for other software to run on
• provides human-computer interface to the user

Question 4

role of application software (3)

Answer 4

• allows user to perform tasks using computer resources
• can be a singe program or a suit of programs (e.g. Microsoft Office)
• user cna execute the software when requires

Question 5

types of system software (4)

Answer 5

• compiler
• device drivers
• operating system
• utility programs

Question 6

what is a compiler

Answer 6

Translates high-level language into machine code, allowing for direct use by a computer to perform tasks without re-compilation

Question 7

what is a device driver

Answer 7

Software that enables hardware devices to communicate with a computer’s operating system, without which a device like a printer would be unable to work.

Question 8

define operating system

Answer 8

Operating Systems are designed to establish communication between the user and the computer

Question 9

what are utility programs

Answer 9

Software that manages, maintains, and controls computer resources by carrying out specific tasks, such as virus checking, disk repair and analysis, file management, and security.

Question 10

types of application software (3)

Answer 10

• spreadsheets
• databse
• photo and video editing software

Question 11

define an interrupt

Answer 11

An interrupt is a signal sent to the microprocessor, either from a device or software, prompting the microprocessor to pause its ongoing tasks and handle the interrupt temporarily

Question 12

causes of interrupts (3)

hardware

Answer 12

• additional data being required (printer)
• hardware fault (paper jam)
• user interaction (hitting a key)

Question 13

causes of interrupts (2)

software

Answer 13

• dividing by 0
• two processes trying to access the same memory location

Question 14

functions of a typical operating system

Answer 14

• managing files
• handling interrupts
• providing an interface
• managing peripherals and drivers
• managing memory
• managing multitasking
• providing a platform for running applications
• providing system security
• managing user accounts

Question 15

what does WIMP stand for

and what is it part of

Answer 15

Windows, Icons, Menu, Pointing Devices

operating system

Question 16

what is CLI

Answer 16

command line interface

Question 17

what is GUI

Answer 17

graphical user interface

Question 18

what are pros of CLI and GUI

2 each

Answer 18

CLI
- user is in direct communication with computer (fast and little memory used)
- not restricted
GUI
- no commands to learn
- user-friendly and easy (pointer used)

Question 19

cons of CLI and GUI

2 each

Answer 19

CLI
- user needs to learn commands for just basic operations
- typing can be prone to error/time consuming
GUI
- interface uses up more memory
- user is limited to icons on screen

Question 20

how are application software run?

2 steps

Answer 20

• OS is started through the bootstrap loader (booting computer up)
• BIOS/firmware tells the computer the location of the OS in the storage

applications run on OS, OS runs on firmware/BIOS/bootloader, firmware/BIOS/bootloader runs on hardware

Question 21

how are interrupts handled?

5 steps

Answer 21

• signal sent that stops operating system’s current task
• computer identifies the interrupt type and also establishes the level of interrupt priority
• PC and other contents in registers is saved
• interrupt service routine (ISR) is executed by loading new address onto PC
• then the initial task is reinstated

Question 22

define a buffer

Answer 22

a memory area that stores data temporarily

while it is being moved from one place to another

Question 23

application of buffers

Answer 23

when downloading a movie from the internet to compensate for the difference between download speeds and the data requirements of the receiving device

Question 24

pros of high level languages

2 points

Answer 24

• easier to read / write / debug / maintain
• independent of the type of computer used

Question 25

pros of low level languages

2 points

Answer 25

• can use special hardware
• code performs quickly

Question 26

cons of high level language and low level language

2 for each

Answer 26

HL
- long execution time
- larger
LL
- longer debugging time
- harder to understand

Question 27

what is assembly language

Answer 27

a low-level language that uses mnemonics, assebler required to translate an assembly language program to machine code

Question 28

compiler

4 points

Answer 28

• translates whole HL code at once
• provides error report for whole code
• executable file of machine code produced
• compiler not required

Question 29

interpreter

3 points

Answer 29

• translates HL code line by line
• can’t run without an interpreter
• used during development stage

Question 30

assembler

3 points

Answer 30

• translates LL code into machine code
• executable file of machine code produced
• can’t be used without assembler

Question 31

define IDE

Answer 31

integrated development environment

Question 32

what are IDE features

6 features

Answer 32

• code editor (written and edited in same place)
• translator (compiler/interpreter)
• debugger (tells you break point of code)
• auto-completion and correction (underline wrong things / suggests things)
• auto-documenter (explain function)
• pretty printing (colour code)