Flashcards
UNIT 4: Software
Cards in this deck (35)
- 1IDEAn Integrated Development Environment is software that
assists with developing programs. - 2Text editorA built-in text editor, which usually includes features like
syntax highlighting (changing colour of key words) and code
completion - 3compiler/interpreterThe compiler/ interpreter for the language is built in to the
IDE - this makes it much quicker to test the code - 4loaderThe IDE has file loader built in, so separate code files can be
organised and loaded. - 5linkerA linker is included to link to other files and import functions
- 6debuggerMost IDEs also have a debugger built in, allowing the developer
to step through the code line by line - 7TraceTrace:
A log can be created of user inputs, variable changes and
other events
This log can be consulted to identify where logic errors
are occurring - 8Break PointBreak Point
Breakpoints can be inserted at points in the code
Execution will pause at these break points allowing the
developer to analyse the programming using the
following tools - 9variable watchVariable Watch
Each variable’s contents is displayed as the program runs
Inspecting the contents of each variable can make it
easier to see where something has gone wrong - 10Memory InspectorMemory Inspector
The exact contents of memory locations within the
computer can be displayed while the program runs
This can help with developing lower level programs - 11Error DiagnosticsError Diagnostics
Errors such as syntax errors can be dealt with by the IDE
The location of the syntax error can be highlighted on
the fly, like spell-checking in a word processor - 12spoolingA print spooler queues print jobs until the printer is available
- 13PeripheralsThe operating system does the work of interfacing with different
hardware, meaning software doesn’t have to - 14Backing storeBackups of important data to an external device or the cloud
- 15File CompressionA folder or drive can be configured so that files are automatically
compressed when saved and decompressed when loaded - 16Disk DeragmentationA disk defragmenter is built into most operating systems
- 17MemoryMemory is split into pages and each application is allocated a
page - this improves security as one application cannot access
the memory contents of another - 18ProcessesThe operating system divides the CPU time between multiple
processes, allowing multitasking - 19securitySecurity techniques such as memory paging and user
authentication and permissions - 20user interfaceThe operating system provides access to key functions through
an interface consisting of windows, icons, menus and pointers - 21command line interfaceKey functions can also be performed through a text interface
- 22File managementAllow users to copy/delete/move/sort/search files and folders
- 23System settingsThe operating system provides the facility to alter settings of
hardware and software - 24multi-taskingThe operating system makes it possible to run multiple programs at the
same time, each in their own window - 25error messagesThe operating system shows errors as pop-up messages with support
options - 26customisationAllow the user to change their experience, for example desktop
background and layout - 27Task Management (operating systems)Allow the user to switch between different tasks and processes
- 28antivirusRoutinely scans files and compares them to a database of known
malware, removing or repairing infected files - 29firewallMonitors network communication and blocks un-trusted messages
- 30DefagmentationFiles can become fragmented across the hard disk – defragmenters move
the fragments together for faster read times - 31CompressionComplex algorithms are used to store data in a format that requires less
space on disk without losing any of the content - 32System monitoringSoftware that tracks properties of the system such as CPU temperature,
remaining disk space or memory usage - 33Task management (utility software)Software that can show how many resources different tasks are using and
force un-responsive tasks to close - 34Disc scanning and repairSoftware that checks disks for corrupted files and attempts to repair them
- 35system backupSoftware that backs up important system files so it can be restored in the
event of a catastrophic failure