Computing - Hardware and Software
What is hardware?
The physical, tangible parts of the computer.
What is software?
All the programs that make the computer function. You can’t touch it.
What is the hardware part of a music CD?
The physical CD itself.
What are the two grooves in a CD called?
Pits and lands.
What do the pits and lands in a CD represent?
0s and 1s.
What are the two types of software?
- Systems software
- Application software
What is a peripheral device?
A secondary device used to get data in and out of software.
What are the 3 types of system software?
- Operating systems
- Utility programs
- Library programs
What is system software?
Software which runs and manages the computer’s hardware and application programs.
Is peripheral management system software or application software?
System software.
Is a compiler system software or application software?
System software.
What is the role of the operating system in hardware and software?
The OS serves as a middle-man for communication between the computer’s hardware and software.
What does WIMP stand for?
- Windows
- Icons
- Menus
- Pointers (cursors)
What is utility software?
Software that maintains or optimizes a system.
What’s some examples of utility software?
- Virus scanners
- Automatic backups and restoration
- File compression software
- Disk defragmentation
What is disk defragmentation?
Putting all files and programs together so that they fit into continuous segments.
Why might a defragmented hard disk drive have better performance?
Because files and programs are placed sequentially, the OS can read files without having to jump to different sectors. This speeds up read/writes.
Why is some amount of free space needed to carry out disk defragmentation?
There needs to be space to put files while they are swapped in and out of place.
What is a library?
A library is a collection of pre-compiled routines that can be used by other programs.
What’s an example of a Python library?
mathrandomturtle
What’s the purpose of a library?
Programmers can invoke library functionality without having to re-write code.
What is bespoke software?
Software that is tailor made to one usecase.
Why is bespoke software often more expensive?
Because it has to be specially programmed for one use case.
Why might bespoke software be less future-proof than off-the-shelf software?
Off-the-shelf software is likely to get regular updates
What is an advantage of bespoke software?
Very specialised to a particular use case.
What is an example of application software?
- Word processors
- Image editors
- Accounting packages
- Internet browsers
- Email clients
What is the purpose of application software?
To allow users to complete different tasks.
What are the 4 categories of application software?
- General purpose software
- Special purpose software
What is general purpose software?
Software which is used for multiple, generic purposes.
What’s an example of general purpose software?
- Email clients
- Browsers
What is special purpose software?
Software which performs tasks for a single, specific job.
Is presentation software general or specialised software?
General.
Is a calculator general of specialised software?
Specialised.
What are the two categories of bespoke software?
- Off-the-shelf
- Bespoke
What’s a benefit of off-the-shelf software?
- Likely to be more intuitive, well-tested & documented
- Cheaper
- Regular updates, future-proof
What’s a drawback to off-the-shelf software?
- Might not do exactly what you need
- Potentially more security vunerabilities
Why may off-the-shelf software be more vunerable?
Because it’s easy for an attacker to get a copy of the software themselves.
What’s a benefit of bespoke software?
- Does exactly what you want it to do.
- Potentially less security vunerabilities
What’s a drawback of bespoke software?
- Has to be made for one usecase:
- Might be more expensive
- May take a long time to develop
- May not get regular updates
- Less likely to be intuitive
- Locked into an ecosystem