AQA Computer Science A-Level: Hardware and Software
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of application software?

  • To operate, control, and maintain the computer and its components
  • To translate between different types of language
  • To complete a specific task for the user (correct)
  • To simplify the process of developing a program

    • What is the primary function of system software?

  • To operate, control, and maintain the computer and its components (correct)
  • To complete a specific task for the user
  • To simplify the process of developing a program
  • To translate between different types of language

    • What is the purpose of an operating system?

  • To translate between different types of language
  • To simplify the process of developing a program
  • To allow the user to control the computer with ease (correct)
  • To complete a specific task for the user

    • What is a virtual machine?

    <p>A way of hiding the true complexity of the computer from the user</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of utility programs?

    <p>To perform housekeeping tasks in a computer system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of library programs?

    <p>To simplify the process of developing a program</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of translators?

    <p>To translate between different types of language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a translator?

    <p>A compiler</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of an operating system?

    <p>To manage hardware resources among competing processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main distinction between hardware and software?

    <p>Hardware is physical, while software is non-physical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of system software?

    <p>Operating System (OS)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a compiler?

    <p>To translate program code into machine code</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a hardware component?

    <p>Graphics card</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of a utility program?

    <p>To perform specific tasks, such as disk formatting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a translator?

    <p>To translate program code into machine code</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of application software?

    <p>Microsoft Office</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Classification of Software

    • Application software: programs that complete a specific task for the user, e.g., word processors, web browsers, and spreadsheet software
    • System software: operates, controls, and maintains the computer and its components
    • System software includes: • Operating system • Utility programs • Library programs • Translators

    System Software

    • Operating system: • allows user to control the computer with ease by providing a virtual machine • manages and controls access to the computer's resources • tasks include memory management, processor scheduling, and handling interrupts

    Utility Programs

    • Used for completing housekeeping tasks in a computer system, e.g., data backup, defragmenting hard drives, data compression, and encryption

    Library Programs

    • Contain useful functions frequently used by a program
    • Programmers can use libraries to simplify the programming process
    • Libraries must be imported within the program code

    Translators

    • Translate between different types of language
    • Types of translators: compilers, assemblers, and interpreters

    Relationship between Hardware and Software

    • Hardware: physical components of the computer system, e.g., hard drive, sound card, printers, and speakers
    • Software: program code, sequences of instructions executed to perform a task

    Role of an Operating System

    • Hides the complexities of the hardware
    • Handles resource management, allocating processors, memories, and I/O devices among competing processes

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of the relationship between hardware and software, classification of software, and system software attributes, as part of the AQA Computer Science A-Level curriculum.

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