Software PQ

(a)   software provides the services that the computer
requires.

The computer in the ticket machine has an operating system.
One function of the operating system is to provide an interface for the user.
State other functions of the operating system.

• • Multitasking
  • Input and output control
  • Running software
  

• • Handling interrupts
  • Providing security
  • Managing user accounts

• • Memory management
  • Processor management
  • File management

• None of them

(a)   software is run on the operating system.

Software is installed on a computer to manage files, memory and multitasking.
State the name of the software that can do these tasks

(a)  

The ........................................................................ system is run on the firmware, which is run on
the ........................................................................


(a)  

Give one task that the software allows the user to do to manage files.

(a)  

A signal is sent within the computer to allow multitasking to occur.
State the name of this type of signal.

(a)  

Padma opens an application on her computer.
An interrupt is generated to inform the Central Processing Unit (CPU) that the application has
been opened.
Give ALL other examples of when an interrupt signal could be generated.

• A printer has a paper jam

• A printer runs out of paper

• When switching from one application to another

• Switching off computer

State what would happen if interrupt signals were not used in a computer.

• The computer would only start a new task when it had finished processing the current task

• Computer will not be able to multitask

• Errors may not be dealt with

• Computer would become impossible to use

Identify device that make use of interrupts

(a)