Systems Software

Question 1

What is systems software?

Answer 1

Software that manages hardware and provides a platform for application software.

Question 2

What is the purpose of an operating system (OS)?

Answer 2

To manage hardware, run applications, provide a user interface, and control system resources like memory and CPU.

Question 3

Name four key functions of an operating system.

Answer 3

Memory management, processor (CPU) management, device/peripheral management, and file management.

Question 4

What is memory management?

Answer 4

The OS allocates and manages RAM for programs and ensures they do not interfere with each other.

Question 5

What is multitasking?

Answer 5

The OS switches between programs rapidly so multiple tasks appear to run simultaneously.

Question 6

What is processor scheduling?

Answer 6

The OS decides the order in which processes get CPU time to maximise efficiency and fairness.

Question 7

What is peripheral management?

Answer 7

The OS manages communication between the computer and hardware devices (printers, keyboards, etc.).

Question 8

What is a device driver?

Answer 8

Software that allows the OS to communicate with and control a specific hardware device.

Question 9

What is file management?

Answer 9

The OS organises, stores, retrieves, renames, moves and deletes files on storage devices.

Question 10

What is a user interface?

Answer 10

The part of the OS that lets users interact with the computer (GUI or CLI).

Question 11

What is a GUI?

Answer 11

A graphical user interface that uses windows, icons, menus and pointers.

Question 12

What is a CLI?

Answer 12

A command-line interface where users type text commands to control the computer.

Question 13

What is utility software?

Answer 13

Software designed to perform maintenance and optimisation tasks for the computer.

Question 14

What is encryption software?

Answer 14

Software that scrambles data so only someone with the correct key can read it.

Question 15

Why is encryption important?

Answer 15

It protects data privacy and security during storage and transmission.

Question 16

What is defragmentation?

Answer 16

A utility that reorganises fragmented files on a magnetic hard drive so related data is stored contiguously.

Question 17

Why is defragmentation useful?

Answer 17

It reduces read/write head movement on HDDs and improves performance.

Question 18

What is data compression?

Answer 18

Reducing file size to save storage space or speed up transmission.

Question 19

What is lossless compression?

Answer 19

Compression that preserves all original data so the file can be perfectly restored.

Question 20

What is lossy compression?

Answer 20

Compression that removes some data permanently to achieve smaller file sizes (used for images/audio/video).

Question 21

Give an example of lossless compression.

Answer 21

PNG images or ZIP archives.

Question 22

Give an example of lossy compression.

Answer 22

JPEG images or MP3 audio.

Question 23

What is a backup utility?

Answer 23

Software that creates copies of data so it can be restored if lost or corrupted.

Question 24

What is a full backup?

Answer 24

A backup that copies all selected data every time it runs.

Question 25

What is an incremental backup?

Answer 25

A backup that copies only the data changed since the last backup.

Question 26

What is a virus scanner (antivirus)?

Answer 26

A utility that detects, quarantines and removes malware from a system.

Question 27

What is system cleanup software?

Answer 27

Software that removes temporary files and unnecessary data to free space and improve performance.

Question 28

What is disk formatting?

Answer 28

Preparing a storage device by creating a file system so data can be stored and retrieved.

Question 29

What is the role of an operating system in security?

Answer 29

The OS enforces access controls, user accounts, permissions and supports encryption and authentication.