iGCSE Computer Science Topic 4. Software

What is an interrupt?

• A signal to start a new program

• A signal sent to the CPU saying something needs attention

• A signal sent to a printer to print a page

• A signal sent from the CPU to a printer

Your printer has run out of paper. Which type of interrupt is this?

The software program you just ran had an error and stopped running. What type of interrupt is this?

Here is a list of potential INTERRUPTS, tick ONE that you think is correct (there is more than one answer).

• Hardware issue, such as a printer paper jam

• The user unplugging a mouse

• Key press by the user, e.g. CTRL ALT DEL

• Software error

• Disk drive indicating it is ready for more data

What is systems software?

• Software that governs the computer system

• Software that allows a user to perform tasks

• Software that the CPU uses to fetch instructions

What is an operating system?

• A suite of programs that manages and controls a computer

• A suite of programs that performs backups

• A suite of programs that allows a user to perform tasks

Which of these user interfaces is difficult to use and requires little processing power?

• Graphical user interfaces (GUIs)

• Command line interfaces (CLIs)

• Mobile user interfaces (Mobile UI)