1.2.1 Systems software (MOCK)

Question 1

What is an operating system?

Answer 1

• A program or set of programs that manages the operations of the computer for the user
• Acts as a bridge between the user and the computer’s hardware as they cannot communicate with hardware directly

Question 2

Why is the OS needed?

Answer 2

• Provides an interface between the user and hardware
• Provides a platform in which users can run programs

Question 3

Functions of the OS: Multitasking

Answer 3

• When you have more than one program open and running at the same time
• The processor allocates a small amount of time to each process and cycles between them
• As it happens do quickly, it appears as if multiple programs are executing simultaneously

Question 4

Functions of the OS: File management

Answer 4

• Data is stored in files
• An extension of the filename tells the OS which application to load the file into
• OS may present a logical structure of files in folders and allow the user to rename, delete, copy and move files

Question 5

Functions of the OS: User management and security

Answer 5

• Allows multiple users to log into the same computer
• OS retains settings for each user as they may have different access rights to files and programs
• Client server network may impose a fixed/roaming profile for a user + manage login requests to the network

Question 6

Functions of the OS: User interfaces

Answer 6

• WIMP: Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers
• Visual
• Interactive
• Intuitive
• Optimised for mouse and touch gesture input

Question 7

What is paging?

Answer 7

• Where memory is split into equal sized sections (pages) that are made to fit sections of memory
• Physical divisions in which programs are split up to fit in a given number of pages