WEAKNESSES - Operating Systems and Utilities Software

functions of the OS (6)

• communicate with internal and external hardware via device drivers

• provide a user interface

• provide a platform for applications to run

• Memory management - allows computer to multitask

• file management + disk management

• manages the security of the system through user accounts

benefits of command line interface over GUI (2)

• they are less resource heavy

• gives user more control because they are more powerful and efficient

benefits of GUI over command line interface (2)

• more visual

• more intuitive

Explain how the operating system manages memory and CPU time to allow the computer to multi-task (6)

• necessary - when applications are opened the OS moves necessary parts to

• memory

• remove - the OS will remove unnecessary data from memory when the programs are closed

• segments - the OS divides memory into segments so when different programs are used their data is stored in separate segments so files don’t interfere

• virtual - the OS organises the movement of data to and from virtual memory

• one at a time - the OS divides CPU time between processes because it can only process one at a time

• efficient - the OS prioritises CPU time to process programs in the most efficient order

define operating system

System software that manages hardware, runs applications and provides a user interface

define utility software

Programs that perform maintenance tasks such as security, backup or system optimisation

features of utility software (5)

• defragmentation

• compression

• encryption

• backups

• anti-virus

how can a hard disk become fragmented? (3)

• files are saved and deleted

• new files which are stored are larger than the free space available

• the files are split up across the disk

how does defragmentation software increase computer speed? (3)

• files are moved so that they are stored contiguously

• free space is collected

• fewer disk accesses are needed

why does defragmentation improve computer speed? (3)

• parts of files are collected together so they are stored contiguously

• accessing files are quicker because the read/write head doesn’t have to more as far because data is stored in the next memory location

• less time to save new files because there is larger empty space together and the file doesn’t have to be split