operating systems

Question 1

application software

Answer 1

for the user benefit eg word processors , internet browser and game

Question 2

system software

Answer 2

performs the task needed to operate the hardware , and provide services for other software eg Os ,game engines ,utility programs

Question 3

operating software

Answer 3

-The essential software links the hardware and other software together and generally manages the computer system

purposes:
-manages the hardware (only the os can interact directly with it)

• manages the application installed(inc utility software)
• creates a user interface(an abstraction from the hardwrae
• provides a layer of security

Question 4

memory management

Answer 4

• when a user opens a program , it needs to be loaded into the ram
• The os overseas the allocation and management of ram space
• if there is no space left ,virtual memory may be used
• Different program data/instructions are kept separate = security

Question 5

paging

Answer 5

Paging is when memory is split up into equal-sized
sections known as pages.. These can then be
swapped between main memory and the hard disk as
needed.

Question 6

segmentation

Answer 6

Segmentation is the splitting up of memory into
logical sized divisions, known as segments, which
vary in size. These represent the structure and
logical flow of the program

Question 7

virtual memory

Answer 7

Virtual memory uses a section of the hard drive to act as RAM when the space in main memory is insufficient to store programs being used. Sections of programs not currently being used are temporarily moved into virtual memory through paging, freeing up memory for other programs in RAM.

Question 8

interrupts

Answer 8

Interrupts are signals generated by software or hardware to indicate to the processor that
a process needs attention.

Question 9

distributed system

Answer 9

Run across multiple devices, allowing the load to be spread across multiple computer processors when a task is run.

Question 10

embedded system

Answer 10

Built to perform a small range of specific tasks and catered towards a
specific device such as a household appliance. T

Question 11

multi-tasking

Answer 11

Multi-tasking operating systems enable the user to carry out tasks seemingly
simultaneously. This is done by using time slicing to switch quickly between programs and applications in memory.

Question 12

real time

Answer 12

Commonly used in time-critical computer systems, a real time OS is designed to perform a task within a guaranteed time frame