Stretch tasks Hardware, Software and the Operating System

Round 1: Quiz Blitz

1. The physical components of a computer system Hardware is the parts you could pick up.
2. A photo editor Application software serves the user's purpose. The others serve the machine.
3. Processor management; Memory management The four are processor, memory, peripheral and user management.
4. Decides which process uses the processor, and for how long Switching quickly makes programs appear to run at once.
5. False It is software that lets the OS talk to a hardware device.
6. Encryption software Encrypted data is unreadable without the key.
7. It has no moving head to save time, and extra writes wear it out AQA has asked exactly this.
8. device driver Each device needs its own driver.
9. Moves less used pages to virtual memory on the drive Virtual memory is slower, but programs keep running.
10. True Utilities maintain the machine, so they are system software.
11. Ransomware, hardware failure or accidental deletion A separate copy, often made on a schedule, lets files be restored.
12. Software is a pattern of bits that can be changed No physical change is needed: only the software changes.

Round 2: Quick Fire

1. • System software manages the computer itself, like the OS and utilities
   • Application software lets the user carry out a task
   Model answer

   System software manages the computer itself, so that other software can run: the operating system and utility programs. Application software lets the user carry out a particular task, such as a browser or a word processor.

2. • It allocates memory to each running program
   • It keeps programs out of each other's memory, using virtual memory if RAM runs out
   Model answer

   The OS allocates memory to each running program and keeps them out of one another's memory, so one cannot overwrite another and crash it. When physical memory runs out, it moves less used pages to virtual memory.

3. • A driver translates between the OS and one specific device
   • So applications can use a device without knowing its details
   Model answer

   A device driver translates between the operating system and one specific device, so an application can simply say print this without knowing anything about the particular printer attached.

4. • Hardware does nothing useful without instructions from software
   • Software is bits that need hardware to be held and run on
   Model answer

   Hardware does nothing useful without software to give it instructions, and software is just a pattern of bits that needs hardware to be stored in and to run on.

Round 3: Big Think

1. • Processor management decides which process gets the processor
   • Switching quickly makes programs appear to run at once
   • Memory management allocates memory to each program
   • It keeps programs apart, using virtual memory when needed
   • Peripheral management uses device drivers
   • So applications need not know which device is attached
   • User management handles accounts, logins and permissions
   • So each user has their own files and rights
   Model answer

   Processor management decides which process gets the processor and for how long, switching so quickly that programs appear to run at once; without it, one program would occupy the machine until it finished. Memory management allocates memory to each program and keeps them out of each other's memory, moving pages to virtual memory when RAM runs out. Peripheral management uses device drivers, so applications can print without knowing which printer is attached. User management handles accounts, logins and permissions, so different users have their own files and rights.

2. • Backup software
   • So files can be recovered after failure, deletion or ransomware
   • Defragmentation
   • So the drive's head moves less and files load faster
   • Anti-malware or encryption
   • To detect threats, or make stolen data unreadable
   • Compression
   • To save storage space
   Model answer

   Backup software, so that pupils' work can be recovered after a drive failure, an accidental deletion or a ransomware attack. Defragmentation, because the drive is mechanical: putting each file's parts together means the head moves less, so files load faster. Anti-malware, to detect and remove known threats before they run on a server that everyone uses.

This or That

1. System software Utilities maintain the machine, so they are system software.
2. User management Peripheral management deals with devices such as printers.
3. A new printer Drivers let the OS talk to hardware.
4. A mechanical hard drive Only a drive with a moving head saves time when file parts sit together.
5. No: the interface is one part of it The OS also manages the processor, memory, peripherals and users.
6. No: it is bits held in hardware Software has no physical existence of its own.
7. Data compression Smaller files take less space and less time to send.
8. The OS switching between them Processor management switches between processes very quickly.

Memory Match

• A 6 Hardware: The physical parts of a computer
• B 4 Software: Programs and data that run on hardware
• C 1 Operating system: Manages processor, memory, devices and users
• D 3 Device driver: Lets the OS talk to one device
• E 2 Utility: Maintenance software, such as backup
• F 5 Defragmentation: Gathers each file's parts together

Sort It

1. Memory Stops one program writing into another's memory Memory management keeps programs apart.
2. Processor Switches between programs so they seem to run at once Fast switching is processor management.
3. Memory Allocates memory to each running program That is memory management.
4. Peripherals Handles keyboards, mice and screens Input and output devices are peripherals.
5. Users Sets permissions for each account User management decides who can do what.
6. Processor Decides which process runs next Processor management shares out the CPU.
7. Users Gives each user their own files User management keeps accounts separate.
8. Peripherals Lets an application print without knowing the printer Peripheral management hides the details.
9. Users Checks usernames and passwords User management handles logins.
10. Memory Moves less used pages to virtual memory When RAM runs out, memory management uses the drive.
11. Peripherals Uses device drivers Drivers are how the OS manages peripherals.
12. Processor Stops one program hogging the machine Without it, one program would run until it finished.