Types Of Software & Interrupts

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System Software & Application Software

System software is essential for the computer to operate; it provides a platform to run applications.
Examples: operating system and utility software.
Utility software helps maintain, enhance, or troubleshoot a computer system (e.g., defragmentation, compression, encryption, task manager).
Application software is chosen by the user to perform specific tasks (e.g., word processor, browser, email client).
In exams, use generic software types, not brand names.

Purpose & Functions of an Operating System

An operating system (OS) manages hardware and provides a platform for running applications.
It acts as an interface between the user and hardware, hiding complexity.
Key functions: file management, memory management, peripheral management, user interface, security, user management, handling interrupts, and providing a platform for applications.
File management: creating, organising, naming, copying, moving, deleting files/folders; setting permissions; search facility.
Memory management: allocates RAM to programs, copies data from secondary to primary storage, enables multitasking.
Peripheral management: manages hardware devices; enables plug-and-play (PnP); uses device drivers.
User interface: CLI, GUI, menu, natural language (NLI) — each has advantages/disadvantages.
Security: password protection, firewall, virus scanning, file encryption.

Hardware, Firmware & the Operating System

Communication flow: Application software → Operating System → Hardware.
The OS acts as a bridge; never say software 'talks' directly to hardware without the OS.
Firmware is embedded in hardware (e.g., BIOS in ROM) and controls basic functions.
On startup, the bootstrap loader in ROM loads the OS into RAM.
Firmware translates between hardware and software; it is permanent, unlike device drivers.

Interrupts

An interrupt is a signal telling the CPU to pause its current task and handle a higher-priority event.
Interrupts can be hardware (e.g., mouse click, power button) or software (e.g., division by zero, program crash).
The CPU saves its current register values to a stack in RAM before handling the interrupt.
The Interrupt Service Routine (ISR) contains instructions to process the interrupt.
After the ISR completes, the CPU restores the saved state from the stack and resumes the original task.
Interrupts enable multitasking and ensure vital tasks are dealt with immediately.

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1.Which of the following is an example of system software?
Easy
- AOperating system
- BWord processor
- CWeb browser
- DSpreadsheet
2.What is the main purpose of utility software?
Easy
- ATo help maintain, enhance and troubleshoot/repair a computer system
- BTo provide a platform for running applications
- CTo allow users to create documents
- DTo manage user accounts
3.Which of the following is a function of an operating system?
Easy
- AFile management
- BWord processing
- CWeb browsing
- DSpreadsheet calculation
4.When an interrupt occurs, what does the CPU do with the contents of its registers?
Medium
- ACopies them to a stack in RAM
- BDeletes them permanently
- CStores them in the hard disk
- DIgnores them until the interrupt is serviced
5.Which of the following is an example of a software interrupt?
Easy
- ADivision by zero
- BMoving the mouse
- CPressing the power button
- DKeyboard press
6.What is the role of firmware in a computer system?
Easy
- ATo control basic hardware functions and translate between hardware and software
- BTo provide a graphical user interface
- CTo manage files and folders
- DTo run application software
7.Which of the following is a disadvantage of a Command Line Interface (CLI)?
Easy
- ARequires users to remember commands
- BUses more system resources
- CLess intuitive than a GUI
- DCan be frustrating when doing repetitive tasks
8.A user wants to ensure that files are stored in a more secure format. Which type of utility software should they use?
Medium
- AEncryption software
- BDefragmentation software
- CCompression software
- DTask manager

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9.Which of the following best describes how application software interacts with hardware?
Medium
- AApplication software talks to the operating system, which then interacts with the hardware
- BApplication software talks directly to the hardware without any intermediate layer
- CHardware sends data directly to application software without involving the operating system
- DThe operating system bypasses application software to communicate with hardware
10.What does the acronym GUI stand for?
Easy
- AGraphical User Interface
- BGeneral User Interface
- CGraphical Unified Interface
- DGeneral Unified Interface
11.An operating system uses memory management to allocate RAM to programs. Which statement is correct?
Medium
- ARAM is allocated based on priority and fairness, with system applications often having higher priority
- BAll programs receive an equal amount of RAM regardless of their needs
- CRAM is allocated only to user applications, not system applications
- DMemory management is only needed when secondary storage is full
12.Which of the following is an example of a natural language interface?
Easy
- AAmazon Alexa
- BMSDOS
- CWindows
- DA vending machine menu
13.A user wants to reduce the size of a large file before emailing it. Which type of utility software should they use?
Easy
- ACompression software
- BEncryption software
- CDefragmentation software
- DTask manager
14.During the boot process, which component is responsible for loading the operating system into RAM?
Easy
- ABIOS
- BDevice driver
- CUtility software
- DApplication software
15.A computer game requires access to the graphics card and network card. Which operating system function makes this possible?
Medium
- AProviding a platform for running applications
- BMemory management
- CUser management
- DFile management
16.Which of the following is an example of a hardware interrupt?
Easy
- ADivision by zero
- BMoving the mouse
- CA program not responding
- DTwo processes accessing the same memory location
17.When an interrupt occurs, where does the CPU save the contents of its registers before executing the interrupt service routine?
Medium
- AIn the interrupt service routine
- BIn a reserved area of RAM called a stack
- CIn the cache memory
- DIn the hard disk drive
18.Which of the following correctly describes the communication flow between application software and hardware?
Medium
- AApplication software → Hardware → Operating system
- BApplication software → Operating system → Hardware
- CHardware → Application software → Operating system
- DOperating system → Hardware → Application software
19.A system administrator needs to restrict a user from editing network settings. Which operating system function allows this?
Medium
- AUser management
- BMemory management
- CPeripheral management
- DFile management
20.Which statement about firmware is correct?
Medium
- AFirmware is loaded from the hard disk during boot
- BFirmware is stored in ROM and controls basic hardware functions
- CFirmware is a type of device driver
- DFirmware is updated automatically by the operating system
21.A user wants to ensure that only authorised people can read a file. Which utility software function should they use?
Easy
- ACompression
- BEncryption
- CDefragmentation
- DTask manager
22.Which of the following is an example of application software?
Easy
- AOperating system
- BWord processor
- CUtility software
- DDevice driver
23.A programmer writes a program that causes division by zero. What type of interrupt does this generate?
Easy
- AHardware interrupt
- BSoftware interrupt
- CFirmware interrupt
- DExternal interrupt
24.Which of the following is a disadvantage of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)?
Easy
- ARequires users to remember commands
- BUses more system resources
- CLess intuitive than CLI
- DNot suitable for users with disabilities
25.A user wants to reorganise files on a hard disk so that they are stored contiguously, improving access speed. Which type of utility software should they use?
Easy
- ADefragmentation software
- BCompression software
- CEncryption software
- DTask manager
26.When an interrupt occurs, the CPU copies the contents of its registers to a reserved area in RAM. What is this reserved area called?
Easy
- AInterrupt service routine
- BStack
- CBuffer
- DCache
27.A computer game requires access to the graphics card and the network card. Which operating system function makes this possible?
Medium
- AMemory management
- BPeripheral management
- CFile management
- DUser management
28.Which type of user interface requires users to type text-based commands to interact with the operating system?
Easy
- AGraphical User Interface (GUI)
- BMenu interface
- CNatural Language Interface (NLI)
- DCommand Line Interface (CLI)
29.Which of the following is an advantage of a Command Line Interface (CLI) over a Graphical User Interface (GUI)?
Medium
- AIt is more intuitive for beginners
- BIt uses fewer system resources
- CIt displays information visually
- DIt requires no previous knowledge to use
30.An operating system uses memory management to allocate RAM to programs. Which of the following statements is correct?
Medium
- ARAM is allocated equally to all open programs
- BRAM is allocated based on priority and fairness
- CRAM is allocated only to system applications
- DRAM is allocated by the user manually
31.A system administrator wants to restrict a user from editing network settings. Which operating system function allows this?
Medium
- AFile management
- BUser management
- CPeripheral management
- DMemory management
32.Which of the following is an example of utility software that helps maintain a computer system?
Easy
- ADefragmentation software
- BWord processor
- CWeb browser
- DEmail client
33.When an interrupt occurs, where does the CPU copy the contents of its registers before executing the interrupt service routine?
Easy
- AA stack in RAM
- BThe hard disk drive
- CThe BIOS
- DThe cache memory
34.A computer has 4 GB of RAM. The operating system allocates 1 GB to a game, 512 MB to a web browser, and 256 MB to a word processor. The remaining memory is unused. Which OS function is being described?
Medium
- AMemory management
- BFile management
- CPeripheral management
- DUser management
35.Which of the following best describes the communication flow between application software and hardware?
Medium
- AApplication software → Operating System → Hardware
- BOperating System → Application software → Hardware
- CApplication software → Hardware → Operating System
- DHardware → Application software → Operating System
36.A user types 'dir' to list files in a directory. Which type of user interface is being used?
Easy
- ACommand Line Interface (CLI)
- BGraphical User Interface (GUI)
- CMenu interface
- DNatural language interface (NLI)
37.Which of the following is a disadvantage of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) compared to a Command Line Interface (CLI)?
Medium
- AUses more system resources
- BLess intuitive
- CRequires users to remember commands
- DCannot automate tasks
38.What is firmware?
Easy
- ASoftware embedded in hardware that controls its basic functions
- BSoftware that manages user accounts
- CA type of application software
- DA utility program for compressing files
39.A computer has 4 GB of RAM. The operating system allocates 1 GB to a game, 512 MB to a web browser, and 256 MB to a word processor. The remaining memory is unused. Which operating system function is being demonstrated?
Medium
- AMemory management
- BFile management
- CPeripheral management
- DUser management
40.Which of the following is a hardware interrupt?
Medium
- ADivision by zero
- BMoving the mouse
- CA program not responding
- DTwo processes accessing the same memory location
41.Utility software is designed to help maintain, enhance and troubleshoot a computer system.
Easy
True or false?
42.Match each type of user interface to its description.
Medium
- Command Line Interface (CLI)
- Graphical User Interface (GUI)
- Natural Language Interface (NLI)
- Uses text-based commands
- Uses windows, icons, menus, pointers
- Responds to spoken or textual inputs
43.Which of the following are examples of hardware interrupts? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AMoving the mouse
- BDivision by zero
- CPressing a key on the keyboard
- DA program not responding
44.Arrange the following steps in the correct order when an interrupt occurs.
Medium
- CPU saves register contents to the stack
- Interrupt signal sent to CPU
- CPU executes the interrupt service routine
- CPU resumes the original process
45.When an interrupt occurs, the CPU deletes the contents of its registers before executing the interrupt service routine.
Easy
True or false?
46.Match each type of user interface to a correct example.
Medium
- Command Line Interface
- Graphical User Interface
- Menu Interface
- Natural Language Interface
- MSDOS
- Windows
- Chip and pin machine
- Amazon Alexa
47.Firmware is stored in RAM and can be easily updated by the user.
Easy
True or false?
48.A user is running a word processor, a web browser, and a music player at the same time. The operating system allocates 2 GB of RAM to the word processor, 1 GB to the web browser, and 512 MB to the music player. If the computer has 4 GB of RAM, how much RAM (in MB) is unused?
Medium
- A512
- B1024
- C2048
- D0
49.Which of the following are examples of software interrupts? (Select all that apply)
Hard
- AA program divides by zero
- BThe power button is pressed
- CTwo processes try to access the same memory location
- DA mouse is moved
- EA program is not responding
50.Match each type of utility software to its correct function.
Medium
- Defragmentation
- Compression
- Encryption
- Task manager
- Maintain disk performance
- Reduce file size
- Secure data
- Troubleshoot system issues
51.Complete the sentence.
Easy
An operating system provides a(n) ____ between the user and the hardware.
52.A computer has 4 GB of RAM. The operating system allocates 1 GB to a game, 512 MB to a web browser, and 256 MB to a word processor. How much RAM (in MB) is left unallocated?
Medium
53.State two functions of an operating system.
Easy
54.A computer has 4 GB of RAM. The operating system allocates 1 GB to a game, 512 MB to a web browser, and 256 MB to a word processor. How much RAM (in MB) is left unused?
Medium
55.Complete the sentence about interrupt handling.
Easy
When an interrupt occurs, the CPU copies the contents of its registers to a reserved area in RAM called the ____.
56.Describe the purpose of an interrupt in a computer system.
Medium
57.A computer has 4 GB of RAM. The operating system allocates 1 GB to a game, 512 MB to a web browser, and 256 MB to a word processor. How much RAM (in MB) is left unallocated?
Medium
- A2816 MB
- B2304 MB
- C2560 MB
- D3072 MB
58.A computer has 4 GB of RAM. The operating system allocates 1 GB to a game, 512 MB to a web browser, and 256 MB to a word processor. How much RAM (in MB) is left unused?
Medium
- A2074 MB
- B2304 MB
- C2534 MB
- D2764 MB

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