ICT Unit 1 > Chapter 2 - Software > Flashcards

Chapter 2 - Software Flashcards

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1
Q

Software Basics

Q: What is software?

A

A: Programs that run on a computer - instructions carried out/executed by the computer’s processor.

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2
Q

Software Basics

Q: What are the two main categories of software?

A

A: System software and application software.

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3
Q

Software Basics

Q: What is the difference between single purpose and general purpose computers?

A

A: Single purpose computers can only run one program (e.g., microwave software). General purpose computers can carry out a range of tasks (e.g., tablet software).

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4
Q

System Software

Q: What is system software?

A

A: Programs designed to maintain or operate the computer system. Consists of utility software, operating systems, and language translators.

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5
Q

System Software

Q: What happens if system software fails?

A

A: The computer will NOT function.

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6
Q

System Software

Q: What are the three types of system software?

A

A: 1. Utility Software, 2. Operating System, 3. Language Translators

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7
Q

Utility Software

Q: What is utility software?

A

A: System software that carries out configuration and maintenance tasks (backup, defragmentation, compression, formatting).

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8
Q

Utility Software

Q: What is backup software?

A

A: Creates a copy of files. Can run automatically (usually when system not in use) or be started manually.

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9
Q

Utility Software

Q: What factors should be considered when doing a backup?

A

A: Frequency, media devices for storage, size, physical location, cloud storage option, access permissions, software to use, and timing.

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10
Q

Utility Software

Q: What is defragmentation?

A

A: Arranging fragmented files together in an organized manner so they can be easily collected by RAM and sent to the processor for processing.

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11
Q

Utility Software

Q: Why does fragmentation slow down computers?

A

A: When files are fragmented and stored out of order, software files must be loaded from multiple locations, taking extra time.

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12
Q

Utility Software

Q: What is compression?

A

A: Utilities that reduce the original size of a file or set of files by storing repeated patterns only once with a count of repetitions.

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13
Q

Utility Software

Q: What is formatting?

A

A: Preparing storage media (hard disk/USB) for first use. Makes all data on the disk unreadable by normal applications.

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14
Q

Operating System

Q: What is an operating system?

A

A: Software that allows users to control and manage the computer’s hardware.

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15
Q

Operating System

Q: What are the two types of operating systems?

A

A: 1. Single-user operating system (household appliances), 2. Network operating system (controls many computers on a network, provides security).

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16
Q

Operating System

Q: What are the four main functions of an operating system?

A

A: 1. Memory Management, 2. Resource Management, 3. Controlling Input/Output, 4. Error Handling

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17
Q

Operating System

Q: What is memory management in an OS?

A

A: The OS allocates required RAM to applications. When applications no longer need memory, the OS makes it available for other applications.

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18
Q

Operating System

Q: What is resource management?

A

A: The OS ensures system resources (processor, graphics card, printers) are made available to applications when required.

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19
Q

Operating System

Q: What is print spooling?

A

A: The OS keeps pages in a queue ready for printing when the computer reads pages faster than the printer can produce them.

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20
Q

Operating System

Q: How does the OS provide security?

A

A: Through usernames/passwords, biometric scanning, personal access cards, and software firewalls to control network access.

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21
Q

Language Translators

Q: What are language translators?

A

A: Software that converts user’s language (high-level language) to machine language (binary).

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22
Q

Language Translators

Q: What are the three types of language translators?

A

A: 1. Assemblers, 2. Compilers, 3. Interpreters

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23
Q

Application Software

Q: What is application software?

A

A: Software that helps users carry out specific tasks not related to the operating system.

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24
Q

Application Software

Q: How is application software usually obtained?

A

A: Downloaded from internet servers or purchased off-the-shelf.

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25
Application Software Q: What is word processing software?
A: Software that lets users create documents with words, images, tables, hyperlinks, equations, drawings, shapes, and charts.
26
Application Software Q: Give examples of word processing software.
A: Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office), Writer (Libre Office)
27
Application Software Q: What is Desktop Publishing (DTP) software?
A: Software similar to word processing but allows work with complicated page layouts. Used to create magazines, newspapers, and booklets.
28
Application Software Q: Give examples of DTP software.
A: Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher
29
Application Software Q: What is spreadsheet software?
A: Applications used to do calculations using formulae and functions for automatic calculations on values.
30
Application Software Q: Give examples of spreadsheet software.
A: Calc (Open Office), Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Office)
31
Application Software Q: What is database management software (DBMS)?
A: Software used to enter, edit, and search data. Some can produce reports with real-time changes.
32
Application Software Q: Give examples of DBMS.
A: Base (OpenOffice), Oracle (MySQL)
33
Application Software Q: What is web authoring software?
A: Software that lets users create web pages with text, images, and videos using HTML.
34
Application Software Q: What is a web browser?
A: Software used to view web pages (e.g., Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox)
35
Application Software Q: Give examples of web authoring software.
A: Adobe Dreamweaver, EditPlus (ES-Computing)
36
Application Software Q: What is graphics editing software?
A: Applications that allow users to create or edit vector graphics.
37
Application Software Q: Give examples of graphics editors.
A: Serif Affinity Designer, Adobe Illustrator
38
Application Software Q: What is photo editing software?
A: Software that allows users to edit and enhance digital photographs and images.
39
Application Software Q: Give examples of photo editors.
A: GIMP (OpenOffice), Adobe Photoshop
40
Application Software Q: What is sound editing software?
A: Software that allows users to edit audio files or join different audio files to create multitrack music or soundtracks for video.
41
Application Software Q: Give examples of sound editing software.
A: Audacity, Adobe Audition
42
Application Software Q: What is presentation software?
A: Software that allows users to create engaging multimedia content with images, text, animation, and video on slides/pathways.
43
Application Software Q: Give examples of presentation software.
A: Prezi, OpenOffice Impress
44
Application Software Q: How do control applications work?
A: They take input from sensors, make decisions based on input values, then output commands as a result.
45
Application Software Q: What are control applications?
A: Software used to make something happen in the physical environment by automating movement of control devices/actuators (motors).
46
Application Software Q: What is project management software?
A: Applications used to plan and track individual tasks in a project so managers can efficiently use available resources.
47
Application Software Q: What can project management software do?
A: Allocate tasks to individuals/groups (including multiple tasks), track costs, arrange for resources to be delivered on time.
48
Application Software Q: What is communication software?
A: Software that provides remote system access and allows users to contact people using the internet (text, images, audio, video).
49
Application Software Q: What are the 8 categories of communication software?
A: 1. Web browsers, 2. Email, 3. Social media, 4. SMS, 5. MMS, 6. Instant messaging, 7. Video conferencing, 8. Online gaming
50
Software Licensing Q: What is software licensing?
A: A license required to install and use software on a computer.
51
Software Licensing Q: What are the three main types of software licenses?
1. Free 2. Open-source 3. Proprietary
52
Software Licensing Q: What is free software?
A: Licenses giving users the right to study, modify, copy, or distribute a program (free or for a fee). "Free" refers to user's freedom to change whatever they want.
53
Software Licensing Q: What is open-source software?
A: Software that makes source code available so users can modify how it works or distribute modified/unmodified software.
54
Software Licensing Q: What is proprietary software?
A: Software marketed and distributed by its owner under a brand name. The owner decides the fee and whether to distribute it.
55
Software Licensing Q: What is software piracy?
A: Using software without a required license.
56
Software Licensing Q: What is pirate software?
A: Software distributed without the right to do so.
57
Software Updates Q: What are the 5 reasons for software updates?
1. Fixing security vulnerabilities or bugs 2. Increasing compatibility with newer operating systems 3. Improving performance and efficiency 4. Introducing new features, 5. Improving usability
58
General vs Specific Purpose Software Q: What is general purpose software (off-the-shelf)?
A: Software developed for the general public's requirements. Can be downloaded or purchased from stores.
59
General vs Specific Purpose Software Q: Give examples of general purpose software.
A: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, VLC Media Player
60
General vs Specific Purpose Software Q: What is specific purpose software (bespoke)?
A: Software developed to the needs of an organization or individual. Not available for others to purchase.
61
General vs Specific Purpose Software Q: Give examples of specific purpose software.
A: Banking systems, supermarket billing systems
62
Strong Passwords Q: What makes a strong password? (List at least 3 criteria)
Minimum 6 characters, includes upper/lower case, includes symbols/punctuation, includes letters and numbers, not related to user/random characters, includes spaces.
ICT Unit 1
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