WGU C182 Computer Science & IT Mastery: Application Software,
Productivity & System Software, Server & Local Applications, Operating
Systems, Kernel, Shell & Device Drivers, Services/Daemons, Utility
Programs, Web/Proxy/Database/File/Email Servers, Relational &
Hierarchical Databases, Data Types (String, Integer, Boolean, Date/Time,
Floating Point), Network Topologies (LAN, WAN, PAN), Transmission &
Reception, Circuit & Packet Switching, Client-Server & Peer-to-Peer
Models, Virtual Machines, Security Principles (CIA: Confidentiality,
Integrity, Availability), Strategic Risk Analysis, Social Engineering, SQL
Injection, Buffer Overflow, Packet Sniffing, Malware & Virus Management,
Compiler/Interpreter/Machine Code, Cloud Computing (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS),
Project Management Life Cycle, IPOS, Information Systems, Data Lake,
Open/Closed Source, Shareware, Regulations, HIPAA, Copyright, Ethics,
Emerging Technologies (AI, Quantum Computing, Nanotechnology) Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
Application Software
Programs end users run to accomplish tasks.
Productivity Software
Application software used to aid in productivity. I.E. Presentation software, word processor,
spreadsheets.
,System Software
Consists of programs that make up the OS and directly support system itself.
**Includes services or DAEMONS
Server Software
Works with hardware to provide network service.
Local Application
Software stored on an individual computer.
Intranet
A LAN that uses IP. Used to communicate within organization.
Cloud Computing
Allows organization to access resources/app anywhere, anytime. Beneficial because an org. may
access resources it may not normally have.
Operating Systems
Allows a user to easily access hardware/software, required to maintain computer environment.
, Kernel
Core component of OS.
Loads when computer first boots
Sits on top of hardware, is interface b/w hardware and software.
Device Drivers
Interface b/w OS and hardware.
Shell
Interface for user, often personalized. The shell provides access to the kernel.
I.E. The GUI will translate mouse motions into calls to kernel/routines. Desktop elements
include shortcuts, windows theme, menus, background.
Services (Daemons)
OS programs that start when OS is loaded. They run in the background and wait for an event to
initiate.
Utility Programs
Allow user to monitor system performance.
Web Server
Productivity & System Software, Server & Local Applications, Operating
Systems, Kernel, Shell & Device Drivers, Services/Daemons, Utility
Programs, Web/Proxy/Database/File/Email Servers, Relational &
Hierarchical Databases, Data Types (String, Integer, Boolean, Date/Time,
Floating Point), Network Topologies (LAN, WAN, PAN), Transmission &
Reception, Circuit & Packet Switching, Client-Server & Peer-to-Peer
Models, Virtual Machines, Security Principles (CIA: Confidentiality,
Integrity, Availability), Strategic Risk Analysis, Social Engineering, SQL
Injection, Buffer Overflow, Packet Sniffing, Malware & Virus Management,
Compiler/Interpreter/Machine Code, Cloud Computing (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS),
Project Management Life Cycle, IPOS, Information Systems, Data Lake,
Open/Closed Source, Shareware, Regulations, HIPAA, Copyright, Ethics,
Emerging Technologies (AI, Quantum Computing, Nanotechnology) Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
Application Software
Programs end users run to accomplish tasks.
Productivity Software
Application software used to aid in productivity. I.E. Presentation software, word processor,
spreadsheets.
,System Software
Consists of programs that make up the OS and directly support system itself.
**Includes services or DAEMONS
Server Software
Works with hardware to provide network service.
Local Application
Software stored on an individual computer.
Intranet
A LAN that uses IP. Used to communicate within organization.
Cloud Computing
Allows organization to access resources/app anywhere, anytime. Beneficial because an org. may
access resources it may not normally have.
Operating Systems
Allows a user to easily access hardware/software, required to maintain computer environment.
, Kernel
Core component of OS.
Loads when computer first boots
Sits on top of hardware, is interface b/w hardware and software.
Device Drivers
Interface b/w OS and hardware.
Shell
Interface for user, often personalized. The shell provides access to the kernel.
I.E. The GUI will translate mouse motions into calls to kernel/routines. Desktop elements
include shortcuts, windows theme, menus, background.
Services (Daemons)
OS programs that start when OS is loaded. They run in the background and wait for an event to
initiate.
Utility Programs
Allow user to monitor system performance.
Web Server
