What is the heart of any computer system?
The operating system
Which types of operating systems are the simplest and most common on microcomputers?
Single user/ single tasking
What types of operating systems let more than one user access the same resources at the same time?
Multiuser / multitasking
Why is the availability of applications software for a particular operating system critical?
Because, to use applications software it must be compatible with the operating system.
How is the applications software compatibility problem overcome?
Some software comes in several versions so it can be run under several different operating systems
What programs eliminate the need for programmers to write new programs when all they want to do is copy print or sort a data file?
Utility programs
How do we tell a utility program what we want it to do?
By providing information about files, data fields, and the processes to be used.
What is the term given to arranging data records in a predefined sequence or order?
Sorting
To sort a data file what must you tell the sort program?
What data field or fields to sort on
What are report program generators used for?
to generate programs to print detail and summary reports of data files.
With early computers, the programmer had to translate instructions into what type of language form?
Machine
When were mnemonic instruction codes and symbolic addresses developed?
In the early 1950’s
What led to the development of procedure oriented language?
The development of mnemonic techniques and macroinstructions
What computer language was developed for mathematical work?
FORTRAN
What are two disadvantages of procedure orientated languages?
They require more space in memory and they process data at a slower rate than symbolic languages
What is programming?
The process of planning the solution to a problem
In programming how many steps are involved in solving a problem on a computer?
Four
What is required before you can actually start to write a code or a program?
Advance preparation
In flow charting what method is used to represent different operations, data flow equipment and so forth?
Different shaped symbols
What type of flow chart is constructed by the programmer to represent the sequence of operations the computer is to perform to solve a specific problem?
A programming flow chart
How many tools are used in flow charting?
Four
Is there a “best way” to construct a flow chart?
No, there isn’t a way to standardize problem solution.
What controls the computer during processing?
Coded instructions
What is the fundamental element in program preparation?
The instruction
