systems software

What is systems software?

Software that runs and controls the computer itself and provides a platform for other software to run on.

What is an operating system?

Software that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and provides services for programs and users.

What is utility software?

Software used to maintain, protect, or improve the computer system.

What does anti-virus software do?

Detects, blocks, and removes malware.

What is file management?

Organises, copies, moves, renames, and deletes files.

What is disk defragmentation?

Rearranges fragmented data so files are stored more efficiently on a disk.

What is backup software?

Creates copies of data so it can be restored if lost.

What does compression software do?

Reduces file size to save storage or speed up transfer.

What is the function of encryption software?

Scrambles data so only authorised users can read it.

What are system cleanup tools?

Remove unnecessary files to free storage and improve performance.

What is a device driver?

Software that allows the operating system to communicate with a hardware device.

What is BIOS?

Firmware that starts the boot process, checks hardware, and helps load the operating system.

What is a bootloader?

A small program that loads the operating system into memory when the computer starts.

What is application software?

Software designed to perform tasks for the user.

What is generic software?

Off-the-shelf software made for many different users and common tasks.

What is custom-written or bespoke software?

Software developed for a specific user or organisation to meet particular requirements.

What is open source software?

Software whose source code is available for people to view, modify, and redistribute under its licence.

What is closed source software?

Software whose source code is not available to the public.

What is software development?

The process of designing, creating, testing, and maintaining software.

What is a program translator?

Software that converts source code into machine code so it can be executed.

What is a compiler?

A translator that converts the whole program into machine code before execution.

What is an interpreter?

A translator that translates and executes the program one line at a time.

What is an assembler?

A translator that converts assembly language into machine code.

What is a syntax error?

An error caused by breaking the rules of the programming language.

What is a logic error?

An error where the program runs but produces the wrong result.

What is a runtime error?

An error that occurs while the program is running, often causing it to stop.

What is an IDE (Integrated Development Environment)?

Software that provides programmers with tools to write, edit, test, and debug programs in one place.

What is testing in software?

Checking software to make sure it works correctly and meets requirements.

What is normal data?

Valid data that should be accepted.

What is boundary data?

Data at the extreme edge of what is valid or invalid.

What is erroneous or invalid data?

Data that should be rejected.

What is extreme data?

The highest or lowest values within the valid range.

What is maintenance in software?

Changes made to software after release to fix problems or improve it.

What is a low-level language?

A programming language that is close to machine code and closely related to the hardware.

What is machine code?

Instructions in binary that are executed directly by the processor.

What is assembly language?

A low-level language that uses mnemonics to represent machine code instructions.

What is a high-level language?

A programming language that is closer to human language and easier for programmers to read and write.

What is a general-purpose language?

A language designed to be used for many different kinds of programs.

What is a special-purpose language?

A language designed for one particular type of task or domain.

What is a procedural language?

A language where programs are written as sequences of instructions, procedures, and function calls.

What is an object-oriented language?

A language that organises programs using objects, classes, attributes, and methods.

What is a scripting language?

A language often used to automate tasks or control another program/environment.

What is a declarative language?

A language where the programmer states what result is needed, rather than all the steps to get it.

What is file management?

Organises, copies, moves, renames, and deletes files.

What is disk defragmentation?

Rearranges fragmented data so files are stored more efficiently on a disk.

What is backup software?

Creates copies of data so it can be restored if lost.

What does compression software do?

Reduces file size to save storage or speed up transfer.

What is the function of encryption software?

Scrambles data so only authorised users can read it.

What are system cleanup tools?

Remove unnecessary files to free storage and improve performance.

What is a device driver?

Software that allows the operating system to communicate with a hardware device.

What is BIOS?

Firmware that starts the boot process, checks hardware, and helps load the operating system.

What is a bootloader?

A small program that loads the operating system into memory when the computer starts.

What is application software?

Software designed to perform tasks for the user.

What is generic software?

Off-the-shelf software made for many different users and common tasks.

What is custom-written or bespoke software?

Software developed for a specific user or organisation to meet particular requirements.

What is open source software?

Software whose source code is available for people to view, modify, and redistribute under its licence.

What is closed source software?

Software whose source code is not available to the public.

What is software development?

The process of designing, creating, testing, and maintaining software.

What is a program translator?

Software that converts source code into machine code so it can be executed.

What is a compiler?

A translator that converts the whole program into machine code before execution.

What is an interpreter?

A translator that translates and executes the program one line at a time.

What is an assembler?

A translator that converts assembly language into machine code.

What is a syntax error?

An error caused by breaking the rules of the programming language.

What is a logic error?

An error where the program runs but produces the wrong result.

What is a runtime error?

An error that occurs while the program is running, often causing it to stop.

What is an IDE (Integrated Development Environment)?

Software that provides programmers with tools to write, edit, test, and debug programs in one place.

What is testing in software?

Checking software to make sure it works correctly and meets requirements.

What is normal data?

Valid data that should be accepted.

What is boundary data?

Data at the extreme edge of what is valid or invalid.

What is erroneous or invalid data?

Data that should be rejected.

What is extreme data?

The highest or lowest values within the valid range.

What is maintenance in software?

Changes made to software after release to fix problems or improve it.

What is a low-level language?

A programming language that is close to machine code and closely related to the hardware.

What is machine code?

Instructions in binary that are executed directly by the processor.

What is assembly language?

A low-level language that uses mnemonics to represent machine code instructions.

What is a high-level language?

A programming language that is closer to human language and easier for programmers to read and write.

What is a general-purpose language?

A language designed to be used for many different kinds of programs.

What is a special-purpose language?

A language designed for one particular type of task or domain.

What is a procedural language?

A language where programs are written as sequences of instructions, procedures, and function calls.

What is an object-oriented language?

A language that organises programs using objects, classes, attributes, and methods.

What is a scripting language?

A language often used to automate tasks or control another program/environment.

What is a declarative language?

A language where the programmer states what result is needed, rather than all the steps to get it.