IGCSE CIE Computer science > Software 4.1 - 4.2 > Flashcards

Software 4.1 - 4.2 Flashcards

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1
Q
  1. What is system software?
A

System software is a set of programs that control and manage the operation of computer hardware, provide a platform on which other software can run, and provide a human-computer interface. It also controls the allocation and use of hardware resources.

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2
Q
  1. What is application software?
A

Application software is software used to perform specific tasks for the user, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, games, and web browsing.

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3
Q
  1. What is the main difference between system software and application software?
A

System software manages and controls the computer system itself, while application software helps the user carry out specific tasks.

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4
Q
  1. Give examples of application software.
A

Examples of application software include spreadsheets, word processors, database software, internet browsers, games software, control and measurement software, video editing software, and photo editing software.

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5
Q
  1. What is spreadsheet software used for?
A

Spreadsheet software is used to organise and manipulate numerical data, carry out calculations with formulas, produce graphs, and do modelling and what-if analysis.

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6
Q
  1. What is database software used for?
A

Database software is used to organise, manipulate, and analyse data. It allows queries, reports, and the adding, deleting, and modifying of records in tables.

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7
Q
  1. What are apps?
A

Apps are applications that usually run on mobile phones or tablets. They are often downloaded from an app store and may include games, banking software, video streaming, music streaming, GPS, and camera apps.

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8
Q
  1. What is control and measurement software?
A

Control and measurement software allows a computer or microprocessor to use sensor data to measure real-world quantities and control processes by comparing sensor readings with stored values and sending out signals to change process conditions.

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9
Q
  1. What is video editing software?
A

Video editing software allows users to manipulate video clips by adding titles, changing colours, altering sound, creating transitions, and rearranging or removing sections.

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10
Q
  1. What is graphics manipulation software?
A

Graphics manipulation software allows bitmap and vector images to be edited or altered. Bitmap editors change pixels, while vector editors change lines, curves, and text.

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11
Q
  1. What is photo editing software?
A

Photo editing software allows users to change brightness, contrast, colour saturation, red eye, and other features to improve or alter digital photographs.

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12
Q
  1. What is word processing software used for?
A

Word processing software is used to create, edit, save, format, and manipulate text documents such as essays and reports. It may also include spell check, thesaurus, copy and paste, image insertion, and translation tools.

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13
Q
  1. What is a device driver?
A

A device driver is software that enables a hardware device to communicate with the operating system and translates data into a format that the device can understand.

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14
Q
  1. Why are device drivers needed?
A

Without device drivers, hardware devices such as printers, cameras, and memory sticks would not work properly with the computer.

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15
Q
  1. What is a utility program?
A

A utility program is software designed to perform specific tasks that help manage, maintain, and control computer resources.

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16
Q
  1. Give examples of utility software.
A

Examples of utility software include virus checkers, anti-spyware, backup software, disk repair, disk defragmenter, file compression, file management, security software, and screensavers.

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17
Q
  1. What is anti-virus software?
A

Anti-virus software checks files and programs for malware, compares them with a database of known viruses, uses heuristic checking to detect suspicious behaviour, and can quarantine or delete infected files.

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18
Q
  1. What is heuristic checking?
A

Heuristic checking is the process of examining software for behaviour that could indicate a possible virus, even if the virus is not already in the database of known viruses.

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19
Q
  1. What is quarantine in anti-virus software?
A

Quarantine is the process of isolating a suspected infected file or program so it can be deleted or checked before being allowed to run.

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20
Q
  1. What is defragmentation?
A

Defragmentation is the process of rearranging files on a hard disk drive so that file blocks are stored in contiguous sectors, making data access faster.

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21
Q
  1. Why does defragmentation help HDD performance?
A

Defragmentation reduces the movement of the HDD read-write head because file data is stored closer together, so files can be accessed more quickly.

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22
Q
  1. What is backup software?
A

Backup software makes copies of files onto another storage device so that data can be restored if the original is lost, damaged, or deleted.

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23
Q
  1. What is the purpose of a restore point?
A

A restore point allows the computer to be returned to an earlier state, which can help recover from file deletion, corruption, or other system problems.

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24
Q
  1. What is screensaver software?
A

Screensaver software displays moving or still images when the computer has been inactive for a period of time. It was originally used to prevent phosphor burn on CRT monitors and is now often used for security or customisation.

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25
25. What is security software?
Security software manages access control and user accounts, supports firewalls, encryption, software updates, and links with other utility software such as virus checkers and spyware checkers.
26
26. What is a printer driver?
A printer driver is software that communicates with the operating system and converts data into a format the printer can understand and print.
27
27. What is a buffer?
A buffer is a memory area used to hold data temporarily. It helps compensate for differences in speed between devices, such as the CPU and a printer or disk drive.
28
28. What is the purpose of a buffer when streaming video?
A buffer stores data temporarily so that a video can continue playing smoothly even if the internet download speed changes.
29
29. What is the operating system?
The operating system is system software that provides the environment in which applications run and acts as the interface between the user and the hardware.
30
30. Why is an operating system necessary?
An operating system manages hardware resources, user interaction, security, memory, files, multitasking, and device control so that the computer can operate effectively.
31
31. What is a human-computer interface HCI?
A human-computer interface is the way a user interacts with a computer. It may be a command line interface or a graphical user interface.
32
32. What is a command line interface CLI?
A command line interface is an interface where the user types commands using a keyboard to communicate directly with the computer.
33
33. What is a graphical user interface GUI?
A graphical user interface allows the user to interact with the computer using icons, menus, windows, and a pointing device or touch screen.
34
34. What does WIMP mean?
WIMP stands for windows, icons, menus, and pointing device. It is a common type of GUI interface used on personal computers.
35
35. What is a post-WIMP interface?
A post-WIMP interface is a modern touch screen interface that allows actions such as pinching and rotating, often used on mobile devices and tablets.
36
36. What are the advantages of a CLI?
A CLI uses little memory, allows direct communication with the computer, and lets experienced users access functions not shown in menus or icons.
37
37. What are the disadvantages of a CLI?
A CLI requires users to learn commands, typing is slower, and incorrect spelling or formatting can cause errors.
38
38. What are the advantages of a GUI?
A GUI is user-friendly, easier to learn, and lets users select icons and menus without typing commands.
39
39. What are the disadvantages of a GUI?
A GUI uses more memory than a CLI and limits the user to the options shown on screen.
40
40. Who typically uses a CLI?
Programmers, analysts, and technicians often use a CLI because they may need direct control over the computer and more advanced configuration options.
41
41. Who typically uses a GUI?
End users typically use a GUI because it is simpler, more visual, and requires less technical knowledge.
42
42. What is memory management in an operating system?
Memory management controls primary storage, moves data between RAM and HDD or SSD as programs run, keeps track of memory locations, and prevents applications from using the same memory at the same time.
43
43. Why is memory protection important?
Memory protection prevents two programs from using the same memory locations at once, which avoids data loss, incorrect results, security issues, and system crashes.
44
44. What is security management in an operating system?
Security management protects the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data using updates, antivirus software, firewalls, user IDs, passwords, privileges, and recovery tools.
45
45. What is hardware peripheral management?
Hardware peripheral management controls input and output devices using device drivers, queues, buffers, and priorities to ensure devices work correctly.
46
46. What is file management in an operating system?
File management includes creating, opening, closing, deleting, renaming, copying, and moving files, maintaining directory structures, and controlling access rights.
47
47. What is multitasking?
Multitasking is the operating system function that allows several tasks or processes to run at the same time by sharing hardware resources.
48
48. Why is multitasking useful?
Multitasking makes better use of CPU time, memory, virtual memory, and storage by allowing several tasks to share resources efficiently.
49
49. What is user account management?
User account management lets multiple users have their own protected areas, usernames, passwords, folders, and settings. Administrators can create, delete, and restrict accounts.
50
50. What is the BIOS?
The BIOS, or Basic Input Output System, is firmware that starts up the motherboard and helps load the operating system into RAM when the computer is powered on.
51
51. Why is BIOS called firmware?
BIOS is called firmware because it provides low-level control for hardware devices and sits between the operating system and the hardware.
52
52. Where is BIOS software stored?
BIOS software is stored in EEPROM, a type of flash ROM that keeps its contents even when the computer is turned off.
53
53. Where are BIOS settings stored?
BIOS settings are stored on a CMOS chip, which is powered by a rechargeable battery on the motherboard so the settings are retained when the computer is off.
54
54. What is a bootstrap loader?
A bootstrap loader is a small program used when a computer starts up to load the operating system into RAM.
55
55. What is an interrupt?
An interrupt is a signal sent from a device or software to the microprocessor that causes it to temporarily stop what it is doing so the interrupt can be serviced.
56
56. What can cause an interrupt?
Interrupts can be caused by timing signals, input-output devices needing data, hardware faults, user actions such as key presses, and software errors such as divide by zero.
57
57. Why are interrupts important?
Interrupts let the CPU respond quickly to events and support multitasking, so the computer can handle several tasks apparently at the same time.
58
58. What is an interrupt service routine ISR?
An interrupt service routine is the program code that runs when an interrupt occurs. It handles the interrupt and then returns the CPU to the interrupted task.
59
59. What happens when an interrupt occurs?
The CPU saves the current task state, stores the contents of the Program Counter and registers, runs the interrupt service routine, and then restores the saved state when the interrupt is finished.
60
60. What is interrupt priority?
Interrupt priority is the ranking that determines which interrupt should be handled first when more than one interrupt occurs.
61
61. What is a compiler?
A compiler translates an entire high-level language program into machine code in one go, producing executable object code.
62
62. What is an interpreter?
An interpreter translates and executes a high-level language program one statement at a time. If an error is found, execution stops and an error message is produced.
63
63. What is an assembler?
An assembler translates a program written in assembly language into machine code so that it can be run by the computer.
64
64. What is machine code?
Machine code is the binary language understood directly by the computer. Programs written in machine code do not need translation before execution.
65
65. What is a high-level language?
A high-level language is independent of the computer hardware, easier to read and write, and usually faster to develop and debug.
66
66. What is a low-level language?
A low-level language is dependent on the computer hardware and includes machine code and assembly language.
67
67. What is assembly language?
Assembly language is a low-level language that uses mnemonics such as LDA, ADD, and STO. It must be translated by an assembler before it can run.
68
68. Why might a programmer choose a high-level language?
A programmer may choose a high-level language because it is easier to understand, write, debug, and maintain, and is often portable across different computers.
69
69. Why might a programmer choose a low-level language?
A programmer may choose a low-level language to make use of special hardware, write very fast code, or reduce the amount of memory used.
70
70. What are the advantages of a compiler?
A compiler produces executable code that can be reused without recompilation, runs faster, and usually takes up less memory when executed.
71
71. What are the disadvantages of a compiler?
A compiler can take longer to write, test, and debug programs during development.
72
72. What are the advantages of an interpreter?
An interpreter is easier and quicker to debug and test during development, and programs are easier to edit while they are being developed.
73
73. What are the disadvantages of an interpreter?
Programs cannot run without the interpreter and they usually take longer to execute than compiled programs.
74
74. What are the main features of an IDE?
An IDE usually includes a code editor, translator, debugger, runtime environment, error diagnostics, auto-completion, auto-correction, an auto-documenter, and prettyprinting.
75
75. What is a code editor in an IDE?
A code editor lets the programmer write and edit code inside the IDE without needing a separate text editor.
76
76. What is the purpose of a translator in an IDE?
The translator in an IDE converts the program into machine code so that it can be executed. It may be a compiler, interpreter, or both.
77
77. What is a debugger?
A debugger lets the programmer run a program step by step or use breakpoints to inspect variables and find logic errors.
78
78. What are error diagnostics in an IDE?
Error diagnostics detect mistakes while the code is being typed and often show suggested corrections before the program is run.
79
79. What is auto-completion?
Auto-completion gives context-sensitive prompts for variable names or reserved words, helping programmers type faster and make fewer mistakes.
80
80. What is auto-correction?
Auto-correction helps fix typing errors or syntax errors automatically or suggests the correct code as the programmer writes.
81
81. What is prettyprinting?
Prettyprinting is the formatting of code with colours, spacing, and indentation so that it is easier to read and understand.
82
82. What is an auto-documenter?
An auto-documenter explains the purpose and function of programming code automatically inside the IDE.
83
83. When is an interpreter often preferred?
An interpreter is often preferred during program development because it helps with quick testing and easier debugging.
84
84. When is a compiler often preferred?
A compiler is often preferred for the final version of a program because it produces executable code that runs faster and does not need the compiler present.
85
85. What is the relationship between system software and application software?
Application software needs system software such as the operating system and device drivers in order to run correctly on the computer hardware.
86
86. How does an operating system help application software run?
The operating system loads programs into memory, manages files and devices, handles interrupts, and provides the interface and services that applications need.
87
87. Why are buffers useful in printing?
Buffers are useful in printing because the CPU can send data into memory quickly while the slower printer processes it at its own pace.
88
88. How do buffers and interrupts work together when printing?
The CPU sends data to the printer buffer, then continues other tasks. When the buffer is empty or needs more data, the printer sends an interrupt to request more.
89
89. Why do computers use interrupt priority?
Computers use interrupt priority so that the most urgent interrupt can be handled first when several interrupts happen close together.
90
90. What is the advantage of a GUI over a CLI for most users?
A GUI is easier for most users because it uses icons and menus instead of requiring memorised commands.
91
91. What is the advantage of a CLI over a GUI for advanced users?
A CLI can be more efficient for advanced users because it offers direct control and uses less memory than a GUI.
92
92. Why do operating systems manage memory carefully?
Operating systems manage memory carefully to prevent conflicts between programs, improve efficiency, and protect data integrity and security.
93
93. What does the operating system do when a printer is busy?
If a printer is busy, the operating system places print jobs into a queue until the printer is ready to process them.
94
94. What is a descriptor in a device driver?
A descriptor is a collection of information about a USB device, such as vendor ID, product ID, and serial number.
95
95. Why are USB descriptors useful?
USB descriptors help the operating system identify a newly connected device and load the correct driver.
96
96. What is the role of the operating system during booting?
During booting, the operating system is loaded into RAM after the BIOS has checked the hardware and located the startup files.
97
97. Why is EEPROM useful for BIOS software?
EEPROM is useful because it is non-volatile, so the BIOS remains stored even when the computer is powered off, but it can still be updated if needed.
98
98. Why is CMOS useful for BIOS settings?
CMOS is useful because it retains BIOS settings when the computer is off, thanks to the motherboard battery that powers it.
99
99. What happens if the CMOS battery is removed?
If the CMOS battery is removed or disconnected, the BIOS settings may be lost and revert to default factory settings.
100
100. Why are interrupts important in multitasking systems?
Interrupts allow the processor to pause one task briefly, service another event, and then return to the first task, which makes multitasking possible.
101
101. What is the key difference between compiled and interpreted programs?
Compiled programs are translated into machine code before execution, while interpreted programs are translated and executed line by line each time they run.
102
102. Why might compiled code run faster than interpreted code?
Compiled code usually runs faster because the translation into machine code has already been done before execution begins.
103
103. What is the main purpose of a screensaver today?
Today, screensavers are mostly used for customisation and security, such as locking a computer after inactivity.
104
104. How does the operating system support security?
The operating system supports security by managing user accounts, passwords, access rights, encryption, firewalls, updates, and recovery tools.
105
105. What is the difference between firmware and application software?
Firmware provides low-level control for hardware and sits close to the device, while application software is used by the user to perform specific tasks.
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