BTEC Computing Unit 2: Fundamentals of
Computer Systems – Complete 2025
Revision Guide, Notes & Exam Questions
Utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Software used by the OS to help
manage resources and services for computer systems.
Features of utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Security, Connectivity,
Back up and Restore.
Uses of utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Data compression, Disk
defragmentation, Data encryption, Back up, Anti-virus software and registry
cleaners.
Factors affecting performance of utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----
CPU, GPU and Memory.
,Factors affecting choices of utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Cost,
Ease of use and Availability.
Application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Computer program used to
perform functions and activities for the user.
Features of application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Storage of data,
Creating and editing documents, GUI and Menus.
Uses of application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----E-mail, Word
processing, Database programs, Spreadsheet programs and Desktop publishing.
Factors affecting performance of application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER--
--Complexity, Design, The network, Ability to use memory efficiently and The
processing required.
Factors affecting choices of application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----
Cost, Ease of use, Availability and Design.
Principles of open source - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Free, Interchangeable for
anyone.
, Implications of open source - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----can be copied, less
secure and can be edited by anyone with access to the code.
CPU (Central Processing Unit) - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----The CPU is the part of
the computer where operations are managed and executed. Performance is
measured by instructions executed per unit time.
Hardware used in output devices - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----These are used to
get anything out of the computer/ provide data to the user
- Printers
- Screens
- Projectors
- Speakers
Backing storage types e.g USB memory stick - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----
External hardware for example optical disks (CDs). USB memory sticks: a
removable device that can store data, measured in gigabytes and terabytes.
Capacity typically starts at 2GB but can go as high as 512GB or 1TB. 2.0 USB can
transfer data at 60 megabytes per second. 3.0 USB can transfer up to 640
megabytes per second.
Multi-functional device - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----These are devices that
perform multiple functions, for example a printer.
Computer Systems – Complete 2025
Revision Guide, Notes & Exam Questions
Utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Software used by the OS to help
manage resources and services for computer systems.
Features of utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Security, Connectivity,
Back up and Restore.
Uses of utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Data compression, Disk
defragmentation, Data encryption, Back up, Anti-virus software and registry
cleaners.
Factors affecting performance of utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----
CPU, GPU and Memory.
,Factors affecting choices of utility software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Cost,
Ease of use and Availability.
Application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Computer program used to
perform functions and activities for the user.
Features of application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Storage of data,
Creating and editing documents, GUI and Menus.
Uses of application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----E-mail, Word
processing, Database programs, Spreadsheet programs and Desktop publishing.
Factors affecting performance of application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER--
--Complexity, Design, The network, Ability to use memory efficiently and The
processing required.
Factors affecting choices of application software - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----
Cost, Ease of use, Availability and Design.
Principles of open source - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Free, Interchangeable for
anyone.
, Implications of open source - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----can be copied, less
secure and can be edited by anyone with access to the code.
CPU (Central Processing Unit) - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----The CPU is the part of
the computer where operations are managed and executed. Performance is
measured by instructions executed per unit time.
Hardware used in output devices - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----These are used to
get anything out of the computer/ provide data to the user
- Printers
- Screens
- Projectors
- Speakers
Backing storage types e.g USB memory stick - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----
External hardware for example optical disks (CDs). USB memory sticks: a
removable device that can store data, measured in gigabytes and terabytes.
Capacity typically starts at 2GB but can go as high as 512GB or 1TB. 2.0 USB can
transfer data at 60 megabytes per second. 3.0 USB can transfer up to 640
megabytes per second.
Multi-functional device - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----These are devices that
perform multiple functions, for example a printer.
