What is system software?
System software is software essential for the
operation of the computer system.
Define utility software.
Utility software is software designed to help
maintain, enhance and troubleshoot/repair a
computer system.
What is defragmentation?
Defragmentation is the process of grouping
fragmented files back together in order to improve
access speed.
True or False?
Lossy compression allows the original file to be
recreated.
False.
Lossy compression physically removes data from the
original file, so it cannot be recreated.
What is encryption?
Encryption is the process of scrambling data using
an algorithm from plain-text into cipher-text to make
it unreadable to users without the master key.
What is the purpose of task manager?
The purpose of task manager is to allow users to
monitor system resources in order tohelp
troubleshoot potential problems.
Define application software.
Application software is software chosen by a
user to help them carry out a specific task.
True or False?
System software gives users a platform to run
applications and carry out tasks.
True.
System software gives users a platform to run
applications and carry out tasks.
What are the three common categories of
application software?
The three common categories of application software
are productivity, communication,
and entertainment.
What is the difference between system software
and application software?
System software is essential for the operation of the
computer system, while application software is
chosen by users to carry out specific tasks.
What is an operating system?
An operating system is software that provides an
interface between the user and the hardware in a
computer system.
Define file management.
File management is a processcarried out by the
operating
system creating, organising, manipulating and acc
essing files and folders on a computer system.
What is interrupt handling?
Interrupt handling is the process of managing
eventsthat require the immediate attention of the
central processing unit.
True or False?
A GUI is more commonly used by advanced users
than a CLI.
False.
A Command Line Interface (CLI) is more commonly
used by advanced users.
What is peripheral management?
Peripheral management is a process carried out by
the operating system managing the way
peripherals (hardware) interact with software.
Define device driver.
A device driver is a piece of software used to
control a piece of hardware.
What is multitasking?
Multitasking is a process made possible by the
OS simultaneously managing system
resources to give a user the perception of being
able to use multiple programs at the same time.
True or False?
The operating system provides a platform on which
application software can run.
True.
The operating system provides a platform on which
application software can run.
What is user management?
User management is a process carried out by the
operating system enabling different users to log
onto a computer and maintain individual settings.
What are the four types of user interfaces?
The four types of user interfaces are:
1.
Command Line Interface (CLI)
2.
3.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
4.
5.
Menu Interface
6.
7.
Natural Language Interface (NLI)
8.
What is firmware?
Firmware is software embedded directly into the
hardware of a device to make it function.
Define BIOS.
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware that
handles the initial process of booting up a
computer.
What is the purpose of firmware?
The purpose of firmware is to translate between the
hardware and the software.
True or False?
Application software communicates directly with
hardware.
False.
Application software communicates with the
operating system, which then interacts with the
hardware.
What is a bootstrap loader?
A bootstrap loader contains the initial boot-up
instructions that a computer explores in ROM when
turned on.
Define a stack.
A stack is a reserved area in RAM where
the contents of CPU registers are copied during
an interrupt.
True or False?
Firmware is stored in RAM.
False.
Firmware is embedded in the hardware, typically
stored in ROM or flash memory.
What happens after the start-up process is
complete?
After the start-up process is complete, instructions
are sent to RAM to be processed by the operating
system.
What is the relationship between firmware and
the operating system?
Firmware provides the initial instructions for
booting up the computer and communicating with
hardware, while the operating system takes over
once the start-up process is complete.
What is an interrupt?
An interrupt is a signal for the CPU to stop what it
is currently doing and do something else as a
higher priority.
Define interrupt service routine.
An interrupt service routine is an area that holds
instructionsthat will need to
be fetched, decoded and executed to complete
the commands of the interrupt.
What are the two types of interrupts?
The two types of interrupts are hardware interrupts
and software interrupts.
True or False?
The contents of CPU registers are lost during an
interrupt.
False.
The contents of CPU registers are copied to a
reserved area in RAM called a stack during an
interrupt.
What is a hardware interrupt?
A hardware interrupt is an interrupt caused by a
hardware device, such as a hardware
failure or user input.
Define software interrupt.
A software interrupt is an interrupt that occurs
when an application stops or requests services
from the operating system.
What is the purpose of the stack in interrupt
handling?
The purpose of the stack in interrupt handling is
to save the contents of CPU registers for later
retrieval when the interrupt is complete.
True or False?
Interrupts allow for multitasking in a computer
system.
True.
Interrupts allow for multitasking in a computer
system.
Give an example of a hardware interrupt.
An example of a hardware interrupt is moving the
mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard.
Give an example of a software interrupt.
An example of a software interrupt is a program not
responding or a division by zero error.
What is a programming language?
A programming language is a bridge between what
humans understand and what a computer
understands.
Define low-level language.
A low-level language is a programming language
that directly translates to machine
code understood by the processor.
True or False?
First generation programming languages are written
in binary code.
True.
First generation programming languages are written
in binary code.
What is assembly code?
Assembly code is a second-generation language
using mnemonics, abbreviated text
commands such as LDA (Load), STA (Store).
Define high-level language.
A high-level programming language uses English-
like statements to allow users to program with easy
to use code.
True or False?
High-level languages allow direct control over
hardware components.
False.
Low-level languages allow direct control over
hardware components.
What are two advantages of high-level languages?
Two advantages of high-level languages are:
1.
Easier to read and write
2.
3.
Easier to debug.
4.
What are two disadvantages of low-level
languages?
Two disadvantages of low-level languages are:
1.
Difficult to write and understand
2.
3.
Machine dependent.
4.
Define machine code.
Machine code is a first-generation language
written in binary code that is directly executable
by the processor.
What does one high-level language
instruction typicallytranslate to?
One high-level language instruction typically
translates into many machine code instructions.
What is assembly language?
Assembly language is a second generation, low-
level language designed to simplify the writing of
machine codeinstructions for programmers.
What does the mnemonic LDA stand for in
assembly language?
LDA stands for Load in assembly language.
True or False?
Assembly language allows programmers to program
with mnemonics.
True.
Assembly language allows programmers to program
with mnemonics.
What is a mnemonic in assembly language?
A mnemonic in assembly language is an
abbreviated text command that represents a
specific machine code instruction.
What tool is needed to convert assembly language
to machine code?
An assembler is needed to convert assembly
language to machine code.
What does the mnemonic STOstand for in assembly
language?
STO stands for Store in assembly language.
True or False?
Assembly language is considered a high-level
language.
False.
Assembly language is considered a low-level
language.
What is one reason programmers use assembly
language?
One reason programmers use assembly language is
to make use of specific hardware or parts of the
hardware.
Define assembler.
An assembler is a tool that checks assembly
language mnemonics and converts them into
relevant binary code.
What is a translator?
A translator is a program that translates program
source code into machine code so that it can
be executed directly by a processor.
Define compiler.
A compiler is a program that translates high-level
languages into machine code all in one go.
What is an interpreter?
An interpreter is a program that translates high-
level languages into machine code one line at a
time.
True or False?
Compiled code can be distributed without the need
for translation software.
True.
Compiled code can be distributed without the need
for translation software.
What happens if an interpreter finds an error?
If an interpreter finds an error, the process stops.
State two advantages of using a compiler.
Two advantages of using a compiler are:
1.
Speed of execution
2.
3.
Optimises the code.
4.
State two advantages of using an interpreter.
Two advantages of using an interpreter are:
1.
Stops when it finds a specific syntax error in
the code
2.
3.
Easier to debug.
4.
True or False?
Interpreted code is easier to distribute than
compiled code.
False.
Compiled code is easier to distribute than interpreted
code.
What type of translator is used for assembly code?
An assembler is used to translate assembly code.
What happens if compiled code contains errors?
If compiled code contains errors, after fixing, it will
needre-compiling.
What is an IDE?
An IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
is software designed to make writing high-level
languages more efficient.
What are four main tools/facilities provided
by IDEs?
The four main tools/facilities provided by IDEs are:
1.
Editor
2.
3.
Error diagnostics
4.
5.
Run-time environment
6.
7.
Translators.
8.
Define prettyprint.
Prettyprint is using colour to make it easier to
identify keywords in code, for example 'print',
'input' and 'if' in Python.
What is a debugger?
A debugger is a tool that provides a 'step through'
command which shows what is happening to the
code line by line, useful for finding logic errors.
True or False?
IDEs include built-intranslators.
True.
IDEs include built-in translators.
What is the purpose of a run-time environment in
an IDE?
The purpose of a run-time environment in an IDE is
to give users the ability to run and see the
corresponding output of a high-level language.
What is auto-completion in an IDE editor?
Auto-completion in an IDE editor is a feature that
automatically completes code as you type.
True or False?
Error diagnostics in IDEs can only identify syntax
errors.
False.
Error diagnostics in IDEs can identify various types of
errors, including syntax errors and logical errors.
What is the purpose of commenting code in
an IDE?
The purpose of commenting code in an IDE is to
stop sections of code from being run or to add
explanations about what the program is doing.
What is bracket matching in an IDE editor?
Bracket matching in an IDE editor is a feature that
helps ensure opening and closing brackets are
correctly paired.