1.2.1 Systems software (MOCK)

• A program or set of programs that manages the operations of the computer for the user • Acts as a bridge between the user and the computer’s hardware as they cannot communicate with hardware directly

• Provides an interface between the user and hardware • Provides a platform in which users can run programs

• When you have more than one program open and running at the same time • The processor allocates a small amount of time to each process and cycles between them • As it happens do quickly, it appears as if multiple programs are executing simultaneously

• Data is stored in files • An extension of the filename tells the OS which application to load the file into • OS may present a logical structure of files in folders and allow the user to rename, delete, copy and move files

• Allows multiple users to log into the same computer • OS retains settings for each user as they may have different access rights to files and programs • Client server network may impose a fixed/roaming profile for a user + manage login requests to the network

• WIMP: Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers • Visual • Interactive • Intuitive • Optimised for mouse and touch gesture input

• Where memory is split into equal sized sections (pages) that are made to fit sections of memory • Physical divisions in which programs are split up to fit in a given number of pages