IGCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE –
SOFTWARE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Defragmentation software - answer-as the data in hdd is constantly deleted and added,
the file blocks will be scattered all over the disk surface —> slower access time —>
makes each file in hdd be stored in contiguous sectors.
Back-up software - answer-allows schedule for backing up to be made / or carry out the
backup procedure only when there is change in files
Security software - answer-manages access control and user accounts
Link into other utility software (virus checker, screensaver...)
Protects network interfaces * uses encryption & decryption oversees the updating of
software
Screensaver - answer-programs that supply moving and still images on the monitor
screen, after a period of inactivity by the computer
Device driver - answer-software that communicate with the operating system & translate
data into a format understood by a hardware peripheral device
Os (operating system) - answer-provide environment in which applications can be run &
useable interface between humans and computer
Hci
Multitasking
Security (manages accounts...)
Interrupt handling routines
Memory management
Hardware peripheral management
File management
User account management
Hci (human computer interface) - answer-cli (command line interface) / gui (graphical
user interface)
Cli - answer-requires a user to type in instructions in order to use some functions
Advantage of cli - answer-direct communication with computer is possible
User is not restricted to number of pre-determined options possible to alter computer
configuration settings
uses a small amount of computer memory
, Disadvantage of cli - answer-needs to learn a number of commands to carry out basic
operations
All commends should be typed in : time consuming / error prone
Typing should be in correct format / without any spelling error...
Gui - answer-allows user to interact with a computer with icons and pictures
Advantages of gui - answer-no need to learn any commands
More user-friendly
Pointing is used as a way to launch application : simpler than typing
Disadvantages of gui - answer-uses up more memory
Functions are limited to icons provided
Needs os —> uses up considerable memory
Memory management of os - answer-manages primary storage ram (apps being used
and loaded) allows movement of data between hdd / ssd and ram
Keeps track of all memory locations
Ensures that two different applications can't use the same memory locations at the
same time
Security management of os - answer-carries out os updates
Ensures anti-virus software is always up to date
Maintains access rights for users
Prevents illegal intrusion into the computer system
Offers the ability to recover the data
To ensure the privacy of data, separating the storage of data of different accounts
Hardware peripheral management of os - answer-communicates with all input & output
devices
Uses device driver
Ensures each hardware source has a priority
Uses buffers and queues
Buffer - answer-small storage where the computer stores the data to send to the
printer / printer stores data to print : because if the computer directly sends the data to
printer it will be really slow etc.
Queue - answer-when printer is currently busy, the data is sent to the queue before
being sent to the buffer of printer and printed
File management of os - answer-file naming conventions using extensions
Performing specific tasks such as create / copy
Ensure memory allocation for file being read from hdd / ssd to ram
Maintain the directory structures * ensures access control mechanisms are maintained
SOFTWARE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Defragmentation software - answer-as the data in hdd is constantly deleted and added,
the file blocks will be scattered all over the disk surface —> slower access time —>
makes each file in hdd be stored in contiguous sectors.
Back-up software - answer-allows schedule for backing up to be made / or carry out the
backup procedure only when there is change in files
Security software - answer-manages access control and user accounts
Link into other utility software (virus checker, screensaver...)
Protects network interfaces * uses encryption & decryption oversees the updating of
software
Screensaver - answer-programs that supply moving and still images on the monitor
screen, after a period of inactivity by the computer
Device driver - answer-software that communicate with the operating system & translate
data into a format understood by a hardware peripheral device
Os (operating system) - answer-provide environment in which applications can be run &
useable interface between humans and computer
Hci
Multitasking
Security (manages accounts...)
Interrupt handling routines
Memory management
Hardware peripheral management
File management
User account management
Hci (human computer interface) - answer-cli (command line interface) / gui (graphical
user interface)
Cli - answer-requires a user to type in instructions in order to use some functions
Advantage of cli - answer-direct communication with computer is possible
User is not restricted to number of pre-determined options possible to alter computer
configuration settings
uses a small amount of computer memory
, Disadvantage of cli - answer-needs to learn a number of commands to carry out basic
operations
All commends should be typed in : time consuming / error prone
Typing should be in correct format / without any spelling error...
Gui - answer-allows user to interact with a computer with icons and pictures
Advantages of gui - answer-no need to learn any commands
More user-friendly
Pointing is used as a way to launch application : simpler than typing
Disadvantages of gui - answer-uses up more memory
Functions are limited to icons provided
Needs os —> uses up considerable memory
Memory management of os - answer-manages primary storage ram (apps being used
and loaded) allows movement of data between hdd / ssd and ram
Keeps track of all memory locations
Ensures that two different applications can't use the same memory locations at the
same time
Security management of os - answer-carries out os updates
Ensures anti-virus software is always up to date
Maintains access rights for users
Prevents illegal intrusion into the computer system
Offers the ability to recover the data
To ensure the privacy of data, separating the storage of data of different accounts
Hardware peripheral management of os - answer-communicates with all input & output
devices
Uses device driver
Ensures each hardware source has a priority
Uses buffers and queues
Buffer - answer-small storage where the computer stores the data to send to the
printer / printer stores data to print : because if the computer directly sends the data to
printer it will be really slow etc.
Queue - answer-when printer is currently busy, the data is sent to the queue before
being sent to the buffer of printer and printed
File management of os - answer-file naming conventions using extensions
Performing specific tasks such as create / copy
Ensure memory allocation for file being read from hdd / ssd to ram
Maintain the directory structures * ensures access control mechanisms are maintained
