Computing Revision

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  • Created by: ac.x123
  • Created on: 17-05-21 09:50
What is the purpose of System Software?
System software sits between the hardware and the applications. System software provides an operating system and essential utilities required to make the computer usable.
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What is an Operating System?
Operating systems are collections of programs that tell the hardware what to do.They are necessary for all computer systems.
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What do Operating Systems do?
(Pick 3)
-Provide a UI (User Interface)
-Provide an interface between running programs and the computer hardware
-Manage the computer hardware and peripherals
-Manage programs installed and running
-Manage data transfer between memory locations, the CPU and second
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What are the 2 main types of UI's (User Interfaces)?
-Command Line Interface (CLI)
-Graphical User Interface (GUI)
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What are the main features of CLI's?
-Text based interface suited to technical users
-Commands are typed directly in the command line
-Provides for single powerful commands to manage the system efficiently
-Sequences of commands can be combined into a program called a shell script so that si
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What is the main advantage of a CLI?
They can be quick to use as long as the user knows the correct commands.
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What is the main disadvantage of a CLI?
They are very difficult to use if the user is a beginner or doesn’t know the correct commands. Command-driven systems can be very unfriendly and confusing for non-computer experts to use.
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What are the main features of GUI's?
-Icons are used to represent applications and actions
-Using icons removes the needs to learn commands
-Particularly suited to touchscreen devices like tablets or phones
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What is the main advantage of a GUI?
They are very easy to use, especially for a beginner.
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What is the main disadvantage of a GUI?
The amount of memory space they need. A graphical user interface needs a lot of RAM to run properly and takes up a large amount of hard disk space.
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What is the definition of 'Utility Software'?
Utility software is software which helps to maintain the system and allow it to run as efficiently and safely as possible.
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Examples of Utility Software:
(Pick 3)
-Defragmentation
-Encryption Software
-Compression Software
-Backups (Full and Incremental)
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What is Defragmentation?
As files are written to and removed from secondary storage, the contents become fragmented with segments of files scattered throughout the disk. Defragmentation software rearranges the segments of files so that less space is occupied within the secondary
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What is Encryption?
Securing data is vital to limit threats, Data can be encrypted to prevent anyone from reading accessed data. Encryption uses keys with an algorithm. The algorithm scrambles the data and it can only be unscrambled with the keys.
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What is Compression Software?
-Enables data to be compressed into a smaller file by removing redundant data
-It is supplied with a number of operating systems to save n disk space
-It is used for large files that need to be moved to smaller media or transmitted electronically
-2 types
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What is Backup Software?
A backup is a copy of the files on a computer so that the system can be restored if the data is damaged or lost.
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What are the Backup Options?
-Backup important files
-Backup the whole drive
-Using an external device such as a flash drive or external hard disk
-Using a remote data storage service (Cloud Servers)
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Full Backups:
All files on the drive are copied every time a backup happens.
Advantages:
-Able to restore data fastest
-Only requires the latest backup
Disadvantages:
-Slowest method
-Requires the most storage space
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Incremental Backups:
Uses an initial full backup, then regular backups of edited files.
Advantages:
-Able to backup faster than a full backup
-Requires less space
-Does not store duplicate files
Disadvantages:
-Slowest restore
-Needs a full backup plus incremental backups
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What is the purpose of ROM:
Read-Only Memory (ROM) is non-volatile meaning it doesn't need power to maintain it. When the power is switched off, data is saved.
-ROM provides storage for data and instructions needed for starting up and initialising the computer
-The computer cannot o
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What is the purpose of RAM:
Random Access Memory (RAM) is volatile meaning it needs power to maintain it. When the power is switched off, data is lost.
-RAM is he main memory of a PC
-RAM holds the OS, Apps and Data in use
-The CPU can access RAM very quickly (much faster than secon
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What is Virtual Memory?
Virtual Memory is part of the hard disk used as temporary store for some of the data in main memory.
-Data not currently needed is moved from the RAM to the virtual memory
-When data is required it is moved back
-This is a slow process (moving the data) a
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What is Flash Memory?
Flash Memory is a special type of ROM that can be written to by the computer
-Flash memory is solid-state memory and is used in portable or removable devices to store data
-It is faster than a magnetic hard disk but slower than RAM
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is an Operating System?

Back

Operating systems are collections of programs that tell the hardware what to do.They are necessary for all computer systems.

Card 3

Front

What do Operating Systems do?
(Pick 3)

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What are the 2 main types of UI's (User Interfaces)?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What are the main features of CLI's?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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