Hardware
Physical components of the computer
Software
Programs designed to manage the computer hardware
Applications
Programs designed for end user tasks.
Operating System
The software that controls the hardware. It acts as an interface between the user and the hardware and also between applications and the hardware
Kernel
Enable applications make use of when they want to operate the computer’s hardware. Heart of the OS and is responsible for looking after “the most low-level hardware operations”.
User Interface
A User Interface allows the user to interact with a computer system.
GUI
Graphical User Interfaces are the most common type – they’re designed to be easy for everyday users by making them visual, interactive and intuitive.
+ Easy to use
- Resources heavy as need to render graphics (eg CPU and memory)
Command Line Interface
Are text based The user enters specific commands to complete tasks.
+ They are less resources heavy than GUIs
+ More efficient and powerful than a GUI.
- They aren’t suitable for everyday users
Menu Driven Interface
Uses menus to control the computer.
+ Easy to use
- Can be limited in navigation
Memory Management
The OS controls available memory, moving programs to and from secondary storage to RAM When loading an application, the OS will copy the application to the RAM. (also responsible for managing virtual memory)
File Management
(Like memory management) You don’t need to know where data is being held within storage device. The OS must identify where files are stored for long term storage on for e.g. the hard disk drive or a solid state drive.
Multitasking
By giving the processor a small time slice for each task means that all tasks appear to be executing at the same time. To the user it appears that we can multitask and have lots of programs open at once.
Peripheral Device
A peripheral is a piece of hardware that is not directly connected to the CPU (eg. Keyboard/ mouse/ HDD)
Peripheral Management
Computers must communicate with a range of external devices (printers, monitors, scanners)
Driver
A driver is a piece of software which provides communication between the CPU and a peripherals device (hardware)
User Management
Multiple users can have accounts on the same computer, each with their own files, settings and applications, protected with passwords. Need correct username & password for access.
Utility Software
Utility system software runs alongside the OS to help to maintain / configure or optimise a computer.
Encryption
(Utility Software) - Encryption software scrambles data to stop third-parties from accessing it. Encrypted data can be decrypted by using a special ‘key’.
Defragmentation
(Utility Software) - A utility that brings together file fragments on a disk and collects all the free space in one area
Anti Virus
(Utility Software) - Minimise the danger from malicious software (malware) being introduced onto the system. Detect, prevent and remove malware by scanning incoming files or scanning the hard drive to identify threats
Automatic Update
(Utility Software) - Software is constantly being developed to improve the performance of the system, to fix bugs and to eliminate any security loopholes. The auto update facility ensure that the latest versions of these utilities are downloaded on to the computer
Disk Checking
(Utility Software) - To locate and solve problems. This checks for and fixes bad links between file fragments and identifies bad sectors on the disk, keeping a record of where the problems are located. This way, damaged sectors can be avoided in the future
System Clean-up
(Utility Software) - Programs can be acquired that identify temporary files, cached copies of files and unused files that can be removed safely, leaving more free space on the hard disk
Compression
(Utility Software) - Reduction in the file size to reduce download times and storage requirements
