1.8 Operating Systems and software types

Question 1

What is utility software?

Answer 1

Software designed to help to analyse, configure, optimise or maintain a computer

Question 2

What are 6 examples of utility software?

Answer 2

• Defragmentation- Physically rearranges files so they are stored together
• Compression - Reduces file sizes so they take up less space
• Task manager - See how much disk % a program is using and shut it down if it is too much
• Disk scanning and repair- Fixes problems of the disk
• Anti-virus software- Scans for viruses they can be causing issues with disc access speeds or damaging data
• Firewall- Prevents unauthorised network access

Question 3

What are 5 ways in which an operating system can manage computer resources?

Answer 3

• Communicates with and send data output to an output device (e.g. printer/ monitor)
• Communicates with and receives data input from a input device (e.g. keyboard /monitor)
• Offers compression which can be used to save disk space
• Manges RAM by ensuring all programs and itself is stored in the correct memory locations (and don’t occupy the same space) and have the correct amount of space and
• Utilises virtual memory when there is not enough RAM to run a program
• Ensures that all tasks appear to run simultaneously (on a multi-tasking O/S)