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Unit 4 Software

The document outlines the differences between system and application software, detailing the functions of an operating system (OS) such as memory management, multitasking, and system security. It also discusses high-level and low-level programming languages, their advantages and disadvantages, and the roles of compilers and interpreters in code translation. Additionally, it describes the purpose and features of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) that assist programmers in writing, testing, and debugging code.

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2 views6 pages

Unit 4 Software

The document outlines the differences between system and application software, detailing the functions of an operating system (OS) such as memory management, multitasking, and system security. It also discusses high-level and low-level programming languages, their advantages and disadvantages, and the roles of compilers and interpreters in code translation. Additionally, it describes the purpose and features of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) that assist programmers in writing, testing, and debugging code.

Uploaded by

deminotfound2010
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit-4

Software

4.1 Types of software and interrupts


Describe the difference between system and
application software.
 System software manages the hardware and software.
 Applications software allows the user to perform tasks.

Describe the functions of the OS.


 Memory management.
 It manages what gets allocated where in memory.

 Managing peripherals and drivers.


 It manages the communication between any input and output devices
that are connected to the computer.

 Multitasking.
 It manages the process of switching between tasks that are being
carrying out.

 Platform for running applications.


 It allows communication between the applications software and the
hardware.

 System security.
 It provides features such as username and password.

 User accounts.
 It allows multiple user accounts to be created on a computer.

Describe what is meant by managing memory.


 Keeping track of the status of each memory location.
 Managing the movement of data to and from RAM.
 Checks that processes have enough memory located to them.
 Makes sure that two processes don’t try to access the same memory
location.
 Manage the transfer of pages between virtual memory and RAM.
 Allows multitasking.

Describe the purposes of OS.


 It performs the basic functions of a computer.
 It manages the hardware.
 It provides a platform to run software.
 It provides a user interface.
 It performs tasks such as multitasking.

Describe the purpose of an interrupt.


 To indicate that something requires the attention of the
processor/OS/CPU.

Explain how the processor manages the


interrupt.
 Interrupt is given priority.
 It is then placed in interrupt queue.
 Processor finishes current FE cycle for program.
 Processor checks interrupt priority queue.
 If lower priority processor runs next FDE cycle for process.
 If higher priority, then processor stores current process.
 Checks source of interrupt.
 Then it calls the appropriate ISR.
 ISR handles the interrupt.
 If there is another higher priority interrupt then repeat.

Describe how interrupts are used when a key is


pressed.
 Key press generates the interrupt.
 Interrupt given a priority.
 Interrupt is sent to CPU.
 Interrupt is placed in a queue.
 CPU stops current task to check the queue.
 It checks using an interrupt service routine.
 If key press is highest priority the interrupt is processed.

4.2 Types of programming language,


translators and IDEs
Explain why HLL is used by programmers.
 Easier for programmer to read/write/understand/edit.
 Therefore, the programmer is less likely to make mistakes.
 Easier to debug.
 It is machine independent.
 It can be used on any computer without a need for understanding of the
hardware.
 Programmer can focus on the problem instead of the manipulation of
memory/hardware.

State the advantages of using HLL instead of LLL.


 It is easier / quicker to read/write/understand.
 It is easier / quicker to debug.
 The code is portable.

State the disadvantages of using HLL instead of


LLL.
 It is not able to directly manipulate the hardware.
 It may need to wait for translation before running .
 The program may be less efficient.

Explain why a LLL is used by a programmer.


 More memory efficient.
 Allows direct manipulation of memory.
 It allows for more efficient control.
 Allows for use of specialised hardware.

Describe what is meant by a low-level language.


 Close to the language processed by computers.
 May use mnemonics.
 An example is assembly language/machine code.

State why a programmer would choose LLL


instead of HLL?
 Can directly manipulate the hardware.
 No requirement for the program to be portable.
 Program will be more memory efficient.
 No requirement for a compiler/interpreter.
 Quicker to execute.
 Can use specialised hardware.

Describe how a compiler operates.


 Checks all code before executing any code.
 Produces error report with all errors found for the whole code.
 Produces executable file.

Describe how an interpreter operates.


 It translates one line of code and then executes it before moving on to
the next line.
 Stops when an error is found.
 It stops when corrected the program can be run from the same
position.

Describe how the compiler translates the


computer program.
 It translates the high-level language to machine code.
 It translates all the code before it is executed.
 It creates an executable file.

Describe how the compiler reports errors.


 It creates an error report after trying to compile.
 It displays all errors in the code.
 It displays errors that require correction before execution can take place.

Describe the advantages of using an interpreter


instead of compiler during development.
 Each statement is translated and executed before the next.
 Translator stops when an error is found.
 It can correct and continue from where stopped.
 It does not need to retranslate all of the code again.
 Can test sections of the code.
 It can test without the entire program being complete.

What is meant by an IDE.


 Software that provides useful functions for a programmer writing a
computer program.
Explain the purpose of the IDE.
 It is a piece of software.
 It is used to write/develop/edit code.
 It is used test/debug the code.
 It has features such as auto-completion.
 To translate the code to machine code.

Describe the ways the IDE can help the


programmer.
 Code editor.
 It allows the user to enter and amend code in their program.

 Run-time environment.
 It allows a program to be run and see the outputs of their program.

 Error-diagnostic.
 It shows the programmer where there are errors in the program.

 Auto-completion.
 It gives the user options/suggestions of key commands to select.

 Auto-correction.
 It corrects a command that has a minor misspelling.

 Pretty print.
 It changes the colour of key commands do they are easy to identify.

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