Unit 1.5. Systems Software

Question 1

What is the operating system?

Answer 1

The operating system controls the hardware and software of a computer and acts as an interface between the user and the computer

Question 2

What is the user interface?

Answer 2

A part of the operating system that allows the user to interact with it/ control it. e.g. GUI (graphical user interface with graphics, pointer, windows, buttons etc.)

Question 3

Memory management

Answer 3

The function of the Operating System which manages the computer’s memory, controlling how the memory is used and which applications can access it.

Question 4

Multitasking

Answer 4

The ability for an operating system to run more than one task at the same time

Question 5

Peripheral Management

Answer 5

The ability of an operating system to control and manage hardware devices which are connected to the computer but not directly to the CPU

Question 6

Device Driver

Answer 6

Provides instructions for how the OS should interact with a specific piece of hardware

Question 7

User management

Answer 7

A function of the operating system which manages user accounts, managing multiple and enabling many people to use the same computer

Question 8

File management

Answer 8

A function of the operating system which manages files and folders stored on its internal/ external storage

Question 9

User Access Rights

Answer 9

A function of the operating system which manages the access that different users and applications have to the system

Question 10

Encryption software

Answer 10

Software which encrypts data into ciphertext

Question 11

Disk defragmentation

Answer 11

Software which reorganizes the hard disk drive, clearing fragmented files and organizing them in a way so files of the same program are in the same location, improving performance by reducing read/write time

Question 12

Data compression

Answer 12

Software which compresses data so it takes up less storage space