5.2 Utility Software

• What is utility software?

  Utility software are dedicated programs used for the maintenance and organization of a computer system.
• What is the purpose of utility software?

  Utility software is used for maintenance tasks not performed by the operating system.
• Name an example of utility software.

  Anti-malware software.
• What types of utility software are mentioned in the material?

  Examples include anti-malware, firewall, encryption software, data compression, backup software, disk checkers, disk formatters, and auto-updaters.
• What is fragmentation in the context of hard disk drives?

  Fragmentation is when a file is split into parts that are saved in different storage locations.
• How does fragmentation occur?

  Fragmentation occurs when there is limited contiguous space to store a file, often due to data being stored and later deleted.
• What effect does fragmentation have on access time?

  Fragmentation increases access time because fragmented files take longer to load and read.
• What is the process of defragmentation?

  Defragmentation collects empty spaces together and moves file fragments to be stored together.
• What is the benefit of defragmentation?

  Defragmentation reduces the number of disk accesses needed, allowing file fragments to be read consecutively.
• How does defragmentation affect the read/write head of a hard drive?

  A defragmented file allows the read/write head to move less distance to read the next piece of data.
• What happens to new files after defragmentation?

  New files can be saved more quickly because there is more free space together, allowing data to be stored contiguously.
• What are the effects of defragmenting a hard disk drive?

  • A defragmented file takes less time to read and access.
  • The read/write head moves less distance to read data.
  • New files save quicker due to contiguous free space.
• What is the exam board and specification mentioned in the material?

  The exam board is OCR and the specification is J277.
• What section explains anti-malware, firewall, and encryption software?

  Section 4.2 explains anti-malware, firewall, and encryption software.
• What section explains data compression?

  Data compression is explained in section 2.5.
• What are the key questions related to utility software and defragmentation?

  1. Explain what fragmentation is and how a file may become fragmented.
  2. Describe the process of defragmentation.
  3. Explain the effects of defragmenting a hard disk drive.