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Software, O/S & Interfaces
F451 - AS Computing
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Hardware and Software Definition Hardware Definition Software
The physical components that make up a computer system. Includes all input, output, storage devices Definition Software The computer programs that tell the computer what to do.
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Layers of software Application Software System software
General purpose Special purpose Bespoke System software Operating system software Utility programs Library programs Compilers, assemblers and interpreters Library programs
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Systems & Application Software
Systems Software controls the operation of the hardware/runs the computer/manages the applications Applications Software makes the computer do something useful carries out tasks
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Applications Software
The term applications software refers to all the programs used for a wide variety of purposes There are three categories: general purpose special purpose bespoke (custom).
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General purpose software
The term general purpose software refers to applications with a number of common uses: word processing packages spreadsheet packages database packages presentation packages
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Special purpose software
Special purpose software is designed to carry out a specific task It is commonly used by organisations, businesses Stock control Payroll systems Accounting
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Bespoke (custom) software
The term bespoke software refers to software that is tailor-made rather than bought off-the-shelf. It may be created in-house or using programmers from a software house.
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System Software The term system software refers to the software that is needed to set up and run the computer. This software is often invisible to the user. There are four types of system software: operating system software utility programs library programs compilers, assemblers and interpreters.
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Operating System Software
The operating system software (OS) is a suite of programs that controls the hardware and software. It acts as an interface between the user and the computer.
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Role of Operating Systems
Used to control the hardware of the system and resource management through software like hardware drivers/system software Used to provide a platform on which applications can run Deals with issues that the software may have with eg storage of files Provides a user interface Allows communication between user & hardware Has many utility programs used to carry out housekeeping on system
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Utility Programs Utility programs are software written to carry out housekeeping tasks on the computer. Examples include: spell-checkers wizards compression software
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Compression Software Reduces size of files
Useful when large files are being sent via The compression means they are sent more quickly They are decompressed using a decompression algorithm
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File Handlers Manages data storage/organises data storage
Allows files to be accessed Allows for deletion/sorting of files
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Hardware Drivers Contain the instructions to the OS for using a peripheral e.g.. a printer Allows control of peripheral by OS Written in a low level language (assembly)
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Backup Utility Automatically makes copy of files at regular intervals
Can be set to run a full or incremental backup
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Library Programs They are similar to utility programs, although they are essential to the user. The library program may work alongside many different applications. An example could be the science department of a university whose users may need mathematical library programs to carry out tasks on scientific data.
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Compilers, assemblers and interpreters
A program is a series of instructions. Compilers, assemblers and interpreters are used to turn these instructions into machine code that the computer can carry out the instructions.
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Different Methods of O/S
Batch Processing Real Time Processing Single User Multi User
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Batch Processing Commonly used in: Payrolls Banks Billings
Financial Sector
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Batch Processing Often run during night time/weekends
No need for human to be present Run in computer downtime when workers have gone home No need for instant response to inputs Processes large amounts of data in one go
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Real Time Processing Data is processed instantly
System responds instantly to changes in input Automatic Pilots on Airplanes Computer controlled systems
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User Interface Computer Mobile Phone ATM Car
The method where the user tells the device what to do and the device responds. Computer Mobile Phone ATM Car
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Menu Driven Interface Easy to use Require little technical knowledge
Limited to the options available
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Graphical User Interface
` Graphical User Interface Advantages Commonly used Easy to learn Intuitive Disadvantages Require more processing power and system resources
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4 Features of a Graphical User Interface
Windows Icons Menu Pointers
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Designing a User Interface
Factors to consider include Use of sound Warnings to user Colours Used Easy on the eye Experience of User CLI can be difficult to master Platform GUI requires more processing power
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Designing a User Interface
Must consider environment when designing an interface – e.g. an office environment or a factory have different level of noise, light.
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