Flashcards
Hardware and Software
Cards in this deck (18)
- 1What is a hardware?Physical component/parts of the computer.
- 2What is a software?Programs/sequences of instructions which run on the hardware.
- 3What is a peripheral?An external hardware device.
- 4What are the types of software?System Software
Application software - 5What is system software?A layer of software which enables users to operate the computer.
- 6What is application software?Program written to perform end-user task.
- 7What is general purpose software?Software written to do more than one task.
- 8Give examples of general purpose software?Word processor
Spreadsheet
Presentation - 9What is special purpose software?Software written to solve a specific problem (to do one task only).
- 10Give examples of special purpose software.Payroll
Weather forecasting
Web browser
Games - 11State one role of the operating system.Provide an interface between the computer and user.
To manage devices/files/memory.
To provide a virtual machine.
To provide a software platform on which other programs can run e.g. application software.
To hide the complexity of the hardware from the user. - 12State one purpose of library programsTo provide access to procedures/functions when writing a program.
To reduce amount of time taken to write a program.
To allow sharing of run-time code across programs.
To save memory as routines are only loaded when needed. - 13What is bespoke software?Software specially written/tailor made for an end user.
- 14What are the advantages of bespoke software?Meets all of the end-user requirements.
Only performs necessary functions.
Can be fitted into existing hardware/software. - 15What are the disadvantages of bespoke software?More expensive as you have to cover production costs.
Not available immediately - have to wait for software to be written.
Less widely tested so more likely to contain bugs.
Lack of 3rd party support. - 16Why might someone choose a special purpose application package rather than a bespoke solution?It's immediately available.
It has a lower cost as development costs shared amongst many.
Regular upgrades available. - 17Why might someone choose to order a bespoke piece of software?No appropriate software to solve the problem exactly.
To run on existing hardware/software.
No necessary features. - 18What is integrated package?Single piece of software comprising a group of applications.
e.g. Microsoft Office