System Software Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary function of an operating system?

To design websites
To provide a platform for running applications
To act as a compiler for programming languages
To provide the interface between the user and the computer (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of operating system software?

Performing arithmetic operations (correct)
Interactive capabilities
Enhancing file transfers
Promoting system upgrades

What is the primary purpose of device drivers?

To create an environment for user logins
To execute security features
To enable multi-tasking
To link the computer with input/output devices (correct)

Which of the following operating systems is commonly used on Apple devices?

macOS (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one way an operating system makes a computer more user-friendly?

By making it easy to access folders and files (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is an important task performed by the operating system when multiple programs are running?

Organizing the use of memory and processing time between programs (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of operating system software?

It enables multi-tasking (A) Signup and view all the answers

When purchasing new components, what needs to be installed on the computer?

Device driver software specific to the component (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a feature of modern operating systems?

Ability to carry out many functions at one time (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of operating system software that enables multiple users to maintain their own environments?

Separate account logins (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of system software?

To manage and control the computer hardware (D) Signup and view all the answers

What category of system software is responsible for diagnostics, maintenance, and security?

Utility Software (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of antivirus software?

To protect the computer from malware and viruses (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a firewall?

To set a boundary between the public internet and private network (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of system software provides a layer of software between application software and hardware drivers?

Operating System Software (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between system software and application software?

System software manages hardware resources, while application software performs specific tasks (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of data backup software?

To store important data in a secondary location (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of system software is responsible for managing and controlling the computer's hardware?

Operating System Software (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of device drivers?

To manage and control specific hardware devices (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of disk cleanup software?

To free up space on the hard disk (B) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

System Software

System software manages the computer's hardware and helps it run properly.
It is a set of programs that handles all the basic internal operations of a computer.

Categories of System Software

There are three categories of system software: Utility Software, Operating Software, and Device Drivers.

Utility Software

Responsible for diagnostics, maintenance, and security.
Helps manage, maintain, and control a computer, and supports its infrastructure.
Types of utility software include:
- Antivirus: protects the computer from malware and viruses.
- Data Back-up: stores important data in a secondary location in case the primary location is damaged.
- Firewalls: sets a boundary between the public internet and private network to protect the computer.

Operating System Software

Manages computer hardware resources and common services for computer programs.
Provides a layer of software between application software and hardware drivers.
Common functions of an operating system include:
- Providing the interface between the user and the computer.
- Handling the transfer of programs from memory.
- Organizing the use of memory and processing time between programs.
- Maintaining security and access rights of users.
- Ensuring the computer can carry out many functions at once.
Characteristics of Operating Software include:
- Creating an environment for multi-tasking.
- Making the computer more user-friendly.
- Interactive capabilities.
- Enhancing file transfers.
- Making it easy to access folders and files.
- Executing security features.
- Promoting system upgrades.
- Helping manage computer memory.
- Enabling multiple users to maintain their own environments.

Types of Operating System Software

Examples of operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and Google's Chrome OS.

Device Drivers

Allow the computer to communicate with connected input and output devices.
Examples of devices that require device drivers include:
- Printers.
- Keyboard and mouse.
- Monitors.
- Scanners.
- Cameras.
- Audio devices.
- Gaming controllers.