Systems Software

What Systems Software covers

Systems Software is examined in J277/01, Computer systems. It covers user interfaces, memory management and multitasking, peripheral, user and file management and utility software.

The 3 subtopics

Each one has its own page.

• User interfaces, memory management and multitaskingThe functions of an operating system, graphical, command-line and voice interfaces, how memory is allocated and released, and how the OS makes multitasking possible.Open →
• Peripheral, user and file managementPeripherals and device drivers, managing data transfer, user accounts and access rights, and how the operating system names, stores and organises files.Open →
• Utility softwareWhat utility software does, encryption software, fragmentation and defragmentation, why solid state drives are not defragmented, and data compression utilities.Open →

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Take Systems Software further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

• Graphical user interface vs Command-line interface

  Graphical user interface: a way of operating a computer through windows, icons, menus and a pointer. Command-line interface: a way of operating a computer by typing text instructions at a prompt.

• Operating system vs Utility software

  Operating system: the core program that manages hardware, memory, files and users. Utility software: extra tools that carry out housekeeping tasks such as defragmenting and compressing.

• Device driver vs Peripheral

  Device driver: a piece of code letting the OS communicate with one particular piece of hardware. Peripheral: an input, output or storage unit connected to a computer.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is an operating system?

   Model answer

   An operating system is system software that manages a computer's hardware and resources. The OS also provides a platform for applications to run on and an interface for the user.

2. 2

   Name the five main functions of an operating system.

   Model answer

   An operating system provides a user interface and manages memory and multitasking. The OS also manages peripherals and drivers, user accounts and files.

3. 3

   What is the purpose of a user interface?

   Model answer

   A user interface lets a person give the computer commands and see its responses. The interface hides the complexity of the hardware from the user.

4. 4

   What features does a graphical user interface usually provide?

   Model answer

   A graphical user interface uses windows, icons, menus and a pointer, known together as WIMP. Users select items on screen instead of typing commands.

5. 5

   What is a command-line interface?

   Model answer

   A command-line interface is a text-based interface in which the user types commands for the OS to carry out. Each command must be typed with exactly the right spelling and format.

6. 6

   Why might an experienced technician prefer a command-line interface to a GUI?

   Model answer

   Typed commands can be quicker for someone who knows them, and they can be combined into scripts to automate tasks. A command-line interface also uses far less memory and processing power.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

Systems Software revision questions

What does Systems Software cover in OCR GCSE Computer Science?

3 subtopics: user interfaces, memory management and multitasking, peripheral, user and file management and utility software. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.

How is Systems Software organised?

By the OCR J277 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.