1.5 - Systems Software

Software that acts as an interface between the applications and the hardware, the most important type of Systems Software

Operating system function that manages input and output between the computer and attached devices

The function of the OS that manages the computer’s memory, allocating it to processes as necessary

The OS function that manages the computer’s processors by scheduling which processes are to be executed and in which order.

Function of an OS that allows users to interact with the computer, can just be a command line or could be graphical

An operating system function that allows more than one application to run at a time by slicing up the CPU’s time and sharing it out

Operating system function that saves and retrieves files on behalf of the applications. Usually provides a folder structure plus move, rename and search options

OS function that allocates user accounts, provides a login process, checks passwords and manages access rights

Feature of a graphical user interface that displays applications within boxes which can be moved, opened and closed

An on-screen arrow that shows the current position of the mouse, sometimes called a cursor, in a graphical user interface

A small piece of system software that instructs the operating system how to operate a peripheral device like a printer or scanner

The amount of time a process is given in the CPU in a multitasking operating system

The OS must reserve some of this, then copy a program from secondary storage into here so that it can start running

The OS’s memory manager function will move processes here when primary memory (RAM) is full, it’s a reserved space on the secondary storage device (HDD or SSD)

A Graphical User Interface, such as Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, it provides a user-friendly way of interacting with the computer

The user interacts with the OS through typing commands in this, a command line interface. MS-DOS and early Unix had one. Network switches often have them

An area of memory used for holding data waiting to be moved somewhere else. A printer driver holds data in one while waiting for the printer

The permissions granted to users to run programs, change settings, open files or edit files and folders. These are managed by the User Manager feature of the OS

A user profile that allows someone to sign in, this is created and managed by the User Manager function of the OS

All Operating Systems manage a hierarchy of these, they are where you store your files

Any programs which run on a computer, they come in two main types: application and system

Software which allows the user to complete a specific task, such as browse the internet or write a letter

Software that runs the computer system. Includes the OS and utilities but not applications

Programs which analyse and maintain a computer system, keeping it healthy so the applications can run smoothly