AS Computer Science (Cambridge) > Chapter 5 (Section 1) #3 > Flashcards

Chapter 5 (Section 1) #3 Flashcards

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1
Q

Section 1: Operating Systems

A
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2
Q

Subsection 1: Key Terms and Definitions

A
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3
Q

What is the definition of an Operating System (OS)?

A

It is software that provides a platform for applications/programs to run on and provides an interface between hardware and human operators (HCI), the OS also hides the complexity of the software from the user.

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4
Q

Descirbe how an OS provides a user inteface.

A
  1. Allows a user to communicate with the hardware by making navigation around the system easier (hides the complexity of the OS).
  2. Provides facility for user inputting data.
  3. Provides facility for outputting to the user.
  4. By example e.g. command line / GUI / menu-driven.
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5
Q

What are the opperating system’s main tasks?

A
  1. Memory Management.
  2. Security Management.
  3. Process Management.
  4. Hardware Management.
  5. File Management.
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6
Q

Define Memory Management.

A

The part of the operating system that controls and manages the main memory. It preforms the following subtasks:
1. Memory protection.
2. Use of virtual memory.
3. Allocates and deallocates memory to processes.
4. Manages location of processes within the memory.

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7
Q

What is the difference between Memory Organisation and Memory Optimisation?

A

Memory organisation determines how much memory is allocated to an application and splits memory efficiently, while memory optimisation determines how that memory is allocated and deallocated, managing memory storage for all running applications and tracking available memory.

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8
Q

What are the different types of memory organisation?

A
  1. Single (contiguous) allocation: Allocates all memory to a single application.
  2. Partitioned allocation: Divides memory into contiguous blocks assigned to applications with variable partition size.
  3. Paged memory: Similar to partitioned allocation, but each partition is a fixed size.
  4. Segmented memory: Memory blocks are not contiguous, each segment is a logical grouping of data, such as an array.
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9
Q

What is Memory Protection?

A

A function that ensures two applications cannot use the same memory locations at the same time to prevent crashes and data loss.

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10
Q

Define Security Management.

A

Ensures data integrity, confidentiality, and availability through various methods.

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11
Q

List and explain the 7 methods that Security Management Implements.

A
  1. Operating system updates: Keeps the system secure by implementing updates as they become available.
  2. Antivirus and security software updates: Ensures that antivirus and other security software is up to date.
  3. Firewall communication: Monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic, and checks for suspecious files.
  4. User privalges: Restricts access to private areas on multi-user systems, by using user accounts, passwords and UserIDs to protect data
  5. Access rights: Manages access permissions for all users.
  6. Data recovery and system restore: Allows data and system recovery in case of corruption or loss.
  7. Prevention of illegal intrusion: Prevents unauthorised access to ensure privacy and data integrity.
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12
Q

Define Process Management.

A

The part of the OS involving resource allocation and permitting the sharing and exchange of data between running programs.

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13
Q

Describe what Process Management does.

A
  1. Manages the scheduling of processes.
  2. Allows multi-tasking.
  3. Handles priorities.
  4. Manages the resources the processes need.
  5. Enables processes to share information.
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14
Q

What is a Process in the context of an OS?

A

A program that is currently running.

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15
Q

What is Hardware Management?

A

The part of the OS that controls all input/output devices connected to the computer through sub-management systems. Some of which are:
1. Installation of appropriate driver software.
2. Controls access to data being sent to/from hardware and peripheral devices.
2. Manages communication between devices.

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16
Q

What is a Device Driver?

A

Software that communicates with the OS and translates data into a format understood by a specific hardware device.

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17
Q

How does a Device Driver act as a translator?

A

It converts general OS instructions into a specific command format that a particular hardware model can understand and execute.

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18
Q

List three specific tasks in Printer Management.

A

Loading the printer driver, sending data to the buffer, and managing the print queue.

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19
Q

What is File Management responsible for?

A

Managing file naming conventions, directory structures, access rights (permissions), and file operations like copying or deleting.

[Past Exam Q&A adds:]
From exam Q&A, OS file management also:
• Divides storage space into file allocation units and allocates space to particular files.
• Specifies the logical method of file storage (e.g. FAT or NTFS).
• Implements password protection // makes file sharing possible.
• Specifies tasks that can be performed on a file (e.g. open, close, delete, copy, create, move).

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20
Q

Subsection 2: The Need for an Operating System

A
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21
Q

Why is only a part of the OS copied into RAM during startup?

A

Modern OSs are very large. Loading the full OS into RAM would negatively affect system performance.

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22
Q

What is one way an OS conceals complexity?

A

It hides the complex nature of computer hardware from the user by providing a user-friendly interface.

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23
Q

Subsection 3: Human-Computer Interface (HCI)

A
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24
Q

What does a Command Line Interface (CLI) require from a user?

A

It requires the user to type specific instructions and have knowledge of commands to perform tasks.

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25
What is a GUI (Graphical User Interface)?
It is a type of HCI that allows users to interact with computers using icons and symbols instead of commands.
26
What are the components of the WIMP interface?
Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointing device.
27
How do Post-WIMP interfaces function?
They use touch screen technology and finger actions like pinching and rotating rather than a pointing device.
28
What is a primary advantage of a CLI over a GUI?
CLI offers direct communication with the computer without being restricted to pre-determined options.
29
Section 2: Utility Software and Program Libraries
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Subsection 1: Utility Software
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What is Utility Software?
Parts of the OS or user-installed tools that carry out specific maintenance functions like virus checking or defragmentation.
32
What does a Disk Formatter do?
It prepares a disk for data storage by organizing space into data blocks/partitions and setting up a boot sector.
33
What is a boot sector?
The sector containing part of the OS that is first moved into the main memory (RAM) when booting up the device.
34
What is the difference between Partitioning and Formatting?
Partitioning divides the disk surface into contiguous blocks. Formatting writes directory data and tables of contents (TOC) for OS recognition.
35
What is full formating?
When disk sectors are filled with zeros, testing and earasing all of the data in the process. Reformating (farmat el gehaz) erases all pre-existing data.
36
What are sector checking/disk repair tools?
Non-destructive tests that detect bad sectors, marking them for non-use and replacing with new sectors when possible.
37
What causes Hard Bad Sectors?
Manufacturing errors or physical damage to the disk surface, such as the read-write head touching the disk.
38
What causes Soft Bad Sectors?
Sudden loss of power or static electricity leading to data corruption in specific sectors.
39
What are Virus Checkers?
They are software that are essential for preventing malware attacts on computers.
40
How does Virus Checker software work?
1. Scans files stored on a computer system for malicious code. 2. Scans files when they enter the system. 3. Sets up a schedule for virus-checking. 4. lsolates / quarantines / deletes viruses. 5. Regularly updates the virus definitions.
41
Define Antivirus Software and describe its operation.
It is software that protects systems by running in the background, detecting and removing viruses. It works by: 1. Scans files before they are opened. 2. Checks against a virus database. 3. Conducts heuristic checks on files. 4. Quarantines files.
42
How does Heuristic Checking work in antivirus software?
it checks software for suspicious behavior that could indicate a virus, even if the virus is not yet in the database.
43
Define Quarantine in antivirus software.
Isolating an infected file or program to prevent it from spreading before it is deleted or verified.
44
What is a False Positive in virus checking?
When a virus checker mistakenly identifies a harmless file as being infected.
45
What is the purpose of Defragmentation Software?
It reorganizes fragmented files into contiguous sectors on an HDD to reduce read/write head movement and improve speed.
46
Why does defragmentation improve the speed of a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) but is not needed for a Solid State Drive (SSD)?
HDDs use physical read-write heads that take time to move between scattered sectors; defragging puts files in one place to minimize this movement. SSDs have no moving parts, so file location doesn't affect speed.
47
What does Disk Content Analysis software do?
It checks drives for empty space and identifies unwanted files (like cookies or autosaves) to free up space.
48
Explain how the disk formater, disk content analysis and disk repair utilities work together.
1. Disk contents analysis checks for errors/problems with the disk 2. Disk repair attempts to fix the errors 3. The disk formatter prepares the disk for (initial) use (again).
49
Contrast File Compression and Disk Compression.
File compression reduces specific file sizes for transfer/storage. Disk compression transparently compresses all data on an HDD during storage and decompresses it during reading.
50
Describe Backup Software.
1. Creates a copy of the contents of a disk /partition. 2. Can be set up to automatically backup. 3. Allows the user to decide what is backed up, e.g. all data /all files that have changed since the last backup. 4. Allows the user to set up an off-site backup. 5. Restores the data if necessary.
51
What are Conditional Backups?
A utility function that only backs up files that have been changed since the last backup.
52
Define Remote Backup.
Storing backup data offsite, typically using cloud storage.
53
Subsection 2: Program Libraries
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What is a Library Program?
A program stored in a library intended for future use by other programmers.
55
Define a Library Routine.
A pre-tested and ready-to-use subroutine available in a development system.
56
What are the two types of libraries?
Static library and Dynamic library.
57
What is a Static Library?
A library where routines are linked to the main program during the compilation stage.
58
What is a Dynamic Link Library (DLL)?
A collection of shared, compiled programs linked to the main program only during execution (run-time).
59
List two Pros of using DLL files.
Main program executable code is smaller. Changes can be made to DLLs independently without recompiling the main program.
60
List two Cons of using DLL files.
The main program is not self-contained (requires all DLLs at run-time). Malicious changes to DLLs by malware can crash the program.
61
What is the main storage difference between a Static Library and a Dynamic Link Library (DLL)?
Static library code is compiled directly into the executable file (.EXE), making it larger. DLL code remains in separate files and is only loaded into RAM when needed.
62
Why does using DLLs save system memory?
Because a single DLL file can be shared and used by several different running programs at the same time, rather than each program having its own copy.
63
Identify utility programs that can be used to improve the performance of a computer and state how they improve performance.
Defragmentation: Less time is taken to access files because each one is contiguous in memory so there is less read/write head movement. Virus checker: Makes more RAM available for programs to run, because it removes malicious software that might be taking up memory / replicating. Disk repair / Disk contents analysis: Prevents bad sectors from being used because it identifies / marks them; reduces access times by optimising storage. Disk/system clean up: Releases storage by removing unwanted / temporary files.
AS Computer Science (Cambridge)
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