6. Operating Systems

• What is software?


  A set of instructions held in memory
• What is applications software?

  Software to help human user. Includes programming software , social media apps and games
• What is systems software?

  Software that manages and organises the computer

  Includes the OS , device drivers and utilities
• What is an operating system?

  Bundles together all the systems software needed to make the computer work properly
• What are the 5 parts of an OS?

  User interface , memory managment , peripheral management , file management , user management
• What is the user interface?

  Controls how you interact with the computer

  How you give instructions and see results
• What is memory management?


  Controls how data and instructions are stored in RAM
• Why is memory management harder if multitasking occurs?

  Many different tasks are using space in memory to hold instructions and data. Operating system must make sure the different tasks do not affect each other
• What is file management?

  Organises files in secondary storage. Lets you open,copy or delete files
• What is user management?

  Keeps track of multiple users , so each one sees their own work files. Users may have IDs and passwords
• What is a device driver?

  Software that lets you computer control the peripheral
• What is a utility?

  Software that performs a specific and useful task
• 3 tasks of utility software?

  Defragmentation , encryption , compression
• Explain defragmentation?


  The process of removing the amount of fragmented files on a device by reorganising related data files and putting them into the same physical location
• What is encryption and explain the process

  Encryption is the process of converting information into a code or cipher to prevent unauthorized access.

  In order to decrypt the code, you must have a 'master' key. Only the device sending and the device receiving the data has this key.This is because prior to the data being a sent, a 'handshake protocol' is used to ensure the same correct and valid key is being used by both the sender and receiver.
• What is compression?

  Making file sizes smaller to use less storage
• What is an embedded system?

  A computer system with a dedicated function built withn a larger mechanical system
• 6 characteristics of an embedded system?

  Low power consumption

  Small Size

  Rugged Operating Systems

  Low cost per unit

  Simple user interface

  Functions unlikely to change
• 5 examples of embedded systems?

  Traffic lightsDomestic AppliancesFactory equipmentTVWashing Machine
• Explain 2 benefits of using an embedded system?

  Dedicated to specific task > cheaperMore efficient > as they are dedicated to a specific task