I am a matriculant who achieved >90% for the final CAT exam. I have created a summary of Module 1.2: System software and computer management from the textbook "Computers, part of your life - Grade 12" to make your life easier and to save you time.
This summary follows the CAPS curriculum.
1.5: System software and computer management
System software includes:
− Operating system eg. OS X, Linux, Windows
− Utility software eg. anti-virus software, programs to backup data
Operating systems
OS = system software that controls all activities that take place in a computer, controls + supports all software +
hardware of computer (= software platform)
What happens when a computer is switched on?
Process = booting
1. Computer looks for instructions to follow (on ROM on motherboard = non-volatile)
2. Instructions perform some basic hardware tests to ensure everything is working correctly (BIOS)
3. “” try to find and load the OS from disk drive
4. Load OS into memory (RAM) - control of the computer handed over to OS
Role of the operating system
Provide user − Allow us to interact with the computer via a GUI (Graphical User Interface)
interface − Use icons + other visual aids (menus, buttons) to easily use comp
Managing − Manages which programs + tasks can use the CPU and for how long
programs − Multitasking: ability of the operating system to load and process multiple tasks or
processes at the same time
− Multitasking OS: each program is allocated RAM + CPU time fairly so all programs perform
@ their best
Managing − Disk management: OS manages how data is organised on storage device, how + when
hardware programs access storage device
− Memory management: OS controls how programs use memory (RAM)
− Input/Output management: how programs use input + output devices
Providing basic − User and access control (passwords, fingerprints, facial recognition)
security − Basic protection against threats to computers (Windows Defender) – best handled by
utility programs
Task manager
− Right-click on taskbar /Ctrl+Alt+Del
− Provides some info about the computer’s performance + the applications and processes running
− Used to terminate a process or program that is not responding
− Shows you how much memory (RAM) + disk (HDD) is being used by each program
Single‑user vs multi‑user operating systems
Single‑user Multi‑user
Can only be used by a single user at a time Allows multiple users to access a computer system at the same
time
Eg. Windows OS allows you to switch b/w Installed on servers + used in networks where multiple users need
users + still remain logged on simultaneous access to the computer (whole class downloading
files from student drive)
Eg. Linux
, Operating system utilities
Utilities = programs that perform system maintenance + administrative tasks
File management
Naming files
Term Explanation
File names File name + full stop + file extension (3–5 letters)
File extension + types Identifies the file type/ format, automatically added when you save the file
Determines which program will open the type of file by default
Path = succession of folders that leads to the location of a specific file
C: \\donah\documents\school\timetable (main HDD on computer + contains OS)
Info about files
File property Basic info about file’s name, size and date modified
File attribute = property of file that can be set
Read-only: read-only file can’t be modified/ saved under same name in same folder
Hidden: indicates if a file is visible or not, some system files are hidden (not accidentally
deleted)
Metadata Additional data stored about a file: describes contents of file like author and title eg.
geographical location
Used by specialised software for searches
File manager functions eg. File Explorer
Searching Search for a file based on certain criteria: file size, type of file, partial file name, date
accessed, text in file
Compressing Process of reducing the size of a file
(zipping) Why? Save space, send file via email (over email limit)
*not needed as much: storage space not limited by portable storage → online storage
Decompressing Process of converting (extracting) a compressed file back to the original size
(extracting)
Exporting saving data in a format that can be read by a diff version of the same application/ new application
(Export/ Save As)
Importing Open/ read data created in diff version of same application/ new application (Open dialog box/
Import) eg. survey data spreadsheet into Access database
Scheduling
Scheduler = program that is used to run certain programs at specific times
Why are they useful?
1. Automatically checks for updates – in case we forget, important for anti-virus software
2. Automatically perform certain routine housekeeping tasks eg. disk defragmentation
3. Schedulers can be set to run @ off-peak times
Adv: don’t slow down comp while we are working + scheduled to run when internet access is not slow
✓ Situation: must update several computers in a network
✓ Solution: download files needed to update software to central location/ server → server pushes updates to
computers linked to it
✓ Save time + cost of internet cap – don’t have to download update for each separate computer
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