Section 4 Chapter 19 - Hardware and Software

Question 1

Hardware

Answer 1

The physical parts of the computer and its input, output and storage devices

Question 2

Software

Answer 2

All the programs that are written to make computers function

Question 3

System software (+ 4 examples)

Answer 3

The software needed to run the computers hardware and application programs. It includes:

• Operating system
• Utility programs
• Libraries
• Programming language translators

Question 4

Operating system

Answer 4

A set of programs that lie between the application software and the hardware

Question 5

Functions of an operating system (2)

Answer 5

• Resource management

- Provision of user interface

Question 6

Utility programs

Answer 6

A system software designed to optimise the performance of a computer or perform utility tasks

Question 7

Disk defragmenter

Answer 7

A utility program that will reorganise a hard disk so that files which have been split up will be stored in one sequential block

Question 8

Virus checker

Answer 8

A utility program that checks your hard drive, emails and downloads for viruses

Question 9

Libraries

Answer 9

Ready compiled programs of pre written functions (System software)

Question 10

Programming Language Translator

Answer 10

Translate program code written by a programmer into machine code

Question 11

General-purpose software

Answer 11

Application software that can be used for many different purposes such as a word processor or a graphics package

Question 12

Special-purpose software

Answer 12

Application software that performs a specific task such as a hotel booking system or a web browser

Question 13

Advantages of “off the shelf” software (3)

Answer 13

• Cheaper
• Ready to be installed immediately
• Well documented and tested

Question 14

Advantage of bespoke software

Answer 14

Caters exactly to your needs

Question 15

Application Software

Answer 15

Software that performs a task that is directly to do with the user, for instance a word processor or a video game