5 - Hardware & Software
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Explain the relationship between hardware and software.
Software executes on the hardware; hardware is the electrical/physical components that allow the software to execute.
Define the term hardware.
Electrical/electronic/physical components/parts of computer/system.
Define the term ‘system software’.
Software used in the management of a computer system; layers of software that abstract the user from how the computer works; software that provides a platform for other software to use.
What is an interactive operating system?
User and computer in direct/two-way communication; User makes input to computer then waits for output before making next input.
What is a network operating system?
Layer of software that redirects requests to remote resources in a way that is transparent to user.
Describe four functions of an operating system.
• To hide the complexities of the hardware from the user • To handle interrupts • To allocate processors/cores to processes • To allocate memory/RAM to processes • To allocate I/O devices to processes • To allocate space on a storage device to files • Manage power consumption/use of battery.
What is the difference between application software and system software?
• Application Software: Performs user-oriented tasks • System Software: Software used in the management of a computer system.
Describe what utilities are.
Software that performs a specific management function for a computer.
State one advantage of purchasing bespoke software.
Meets all of the end-user requirements.
State one disadvantage of purchasing bespoke software.
More expensive as have to cover production costs.
State one purpose of library programs.
To allow sharing of run-time code across programs.
Explain what is meant by general purpose application software.
Software that can carry out many tasks; has many purposes/uses.
What does the provision of a virtual machine by an operating system mean?
Hide the complexities of the machine from the user; provide an interface between the user and the computer.
Outline the principles of Client-Server operation.
• Server provides a resource • Client computer requests the service and waits for the response.
Explain what is meant by the term event driven.
Software request causes an event; the event causes a program/procedure/function to execute.
Give an example of an event.
Mouse Click.
What is meant by Special purpose applications software?
Software written for a specific/particular/certain area/problem/task/function.