Operating systems and software

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Notes de leçon

Operating systems (OS)

An operating system manages the computer's hardware and provides services for software. Functions: user interface (GUI or command line), memory management, multitasking (process scheduling), file management, device management (drivers) and security (accounts, permissions).
Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

Operating system responsibilities

Types of software

System software: OS and utility software (antivirus, backup, disk defragmenter, compression).
Application software: performs tasks for users (word processor, web browser, games).

System and application software

Programming languages

High-level languages use readable abstractions and can be implemented on different platforms; a suitable translator or runtime and libraries are still needed.
Machine code and assembly are low-level and processor-specific. They permit close hardware control, but are harder to write and maintain.

Translating and running source code

Translators

In the simplified GCSE model, a compiler translates source before execution, often producing a native executable; an interpreter translates and executes as the program runs.
An assembler translates assembly notation to machine code. Real systems may combine interpretation, bytecode and just-in-time compilation.
Compiled code often runs faster, while interpretation can support interactive debugging; neither is a universal speed rule.

Open source vs proprietary

Open-source licences provide source-code access and permissions to use, modify and redistribute under specified conditions.
Proprietary licences reserve more control to the rights holder. Proprietary software may be paid or free; price alone does not determine the licence category.

Diapos

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1.What is an operating system?
Easy
- Asoftware that manages the computer
- Ba word processor
- Ca game
- Da browser
2.What is application software?
Easy
- Asoftware that performs tasks for the user
- Bthe OS
- Cfirmware
- Ddrivers
3.Which is an example of an operating system?
Easy
- AWindows
- BExcel
- CChrome
- DPhotoshop
4.Which is utility software?
Easy
- Aantivirus
- Ba game
- Ca spreadsheet
- Da browser
5.What is a high-level language?
Easy
- Aa programming language close to human language
- Bmachine code
- Cassembly
- Dbinary
6.What is machine code?
Easy
- Abinary instructions the CPU executes directly
- BPython code
- CEnglish text
- Da flowchart
7.What is assembly language?
Easy
- Aa low-level language using mnemonics
- Ba high-level language
- Ca database
- Da network
8.What does a compiler do?
Easy
- Atranslates the whole program before it runs
- Bruns one line at a time
- Cstores data
- Dcompresses files

Plus de questions

9.What does an interpreter do?
Easy
- Atranslates and executes line by line
- Bcompiles into binary
- Cstores data
- Dencrypts files
10.What does multitasking mean?
Easy
- Arunning several programs at once
- Brunning one program
- Cshutting down
- Dstoring data
11.What does a device driver do?
Easy
- Alets the OS communicate with hardware
- Bstores files
- Cprotects from viruses
- Dplays games
12.Which is a typical advantage of compiling comparable source code to a native executable?
Medium
- Ait can avoid repeated source translation during execution
- Bit guarantees no errors
- Cit needs no initial translation
- Dit runs unchanged on every processor
13.Which is an advantage of an interpreter?
Medium
- Aerrors can be found line by line
- Bthe program runs fastest
- Cit produces a standalone file
- Dit needs no source
14.Which is an advantage of high-level languages?
Medium
- Aeasier to read, write and portable
- Bfaster than machine code
- Ccloser to hardware
- Dharder to learn
15.Which is an advantage of low-level languages?
Medium
- Adirect control of hardware and efficient use of memory
- Beasy to learn
- Cportable
- DEnglish-like
16.What is memory management?
Medium
- Aallocating and freeing memory for programs
- Bstoring files
- Cdisplaying graphics
- Dprotecting data
17.What is open-source software?
Medium
- Asource code is available to view and modify
- Bcode is secret
- Csoftware is free of bugs
- Dsoftware must be paid for
18.Why might embedded systems use low-level languages?
Medium
- Aefficiency and direct hardware control
- Bthey are easy
- Cthey need no memory
- Dthey use many languages
19.Why can a native executable run on its target platform without the source-code compiler?
Medium
- Ait is already machine code
- Bit is interpreted
- Cit is source code
- Dit is compressed
20.Why can compatible JavaScript code run on many devices through a browser?
Medium
- Athe browser supplies a suitable execution environment
- Bit always executes faster than native code
- Cit uses no memory
- Dit needs no implementation of the language
21.Which OS feature helps restrict unauthorised access?
Medium
- Asecurity through accounts and permissions
- Bmultitasking
- Cmemory management
- Ddevice drivers
22.What is a GUI?
Easy
- Aa graphical user interface
- Ba type of CPU
- Ca network
- Da language
23.What is a command line interface?
Easy
- Aa text-based way to give commands
- Ba graphical interface
- Ca game
- Da network
24.What is defragmentation?
Medium
- Arearranging files on an HDD to speed access
- Bdeleting files
- Ccompressing files
- Dencrypting files
25.What is firmware?
Medium
- Asoftware in non-volatile memory that controls hardware
- Bany document written by a user
- Ca physically hard material
- Dan image-editing tool
26.An OS manages hardware and software.
Easy
True or false?
27.A compiler translates the whole program.
Easy
True or false?
28.An interpreter creates a standalone executable.
Easy
True or false?
29.Antivirus software is a type of utility software.
Easy
True or false?
30.Machine code is a high-level language.
Medium
True or false?
31.Which are functions of an OS?
Medium
- Amemory management
- Bfile management
- Csecurity
- Duser interface
- Ewriting essays
32.Which are translators?
Medium
- Acompiler
- Binterpreter
- Cassembler
- Dtext editor
- Edebugger
33.Compare a compiler and an interpreter.
Medium

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