Software
Overview
Switch on a laptop and, before a single icon appears, thousands of instructions have already run. Something has to load the display, find the storage drive, hand control to the user interface and keep every later request in order. That something is the operating system, and it is only one member of a much larger family of software that keeps a computer usable, tidy and safe.
This lesson sorts software into system software and application software, opens up what an operating system actually manages day to day, tours the utility programs that repair and protect a machine, and looks at how software can stand in for the real world through simulation and modelling.
Objectives
- Know what an operating system is and how it manages files, processes, hardware and the user interface
- Understand the purpose and functions of utility software (managing, repairing and converting files; compression; defragmentation; backing up; anti-malware)
- Understand how software can be used to simulate and model aspects of the real world
- Understand what is meant by system software and application software
Mind map
This topic is mapped out so you can see how the ideas connect.
Open the mind map in the app
Flashcards
Quick recall practice on the facts this topic is tested on.
Practise these cards in the app
Lesson Note
Complete Note Available on the Green Bridge App
Get the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer for the complete IGCSE library: past papers, mark schemes, mind maps, flashcards and audio lessons.
Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Software. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which of the following is an example of application software? A) Operating system B) Disk defragmenter C) Spreadsheet package D) Anti-malware scanner Answer: C
- Which operating system function decides which process runs on the processor at any given moment? A) File management B) Process management C) User interface management D) Hardware management Answer: B
- A user wants to reduce the size of a folder of photos before emailing them. Which type of utility should they use? A) Defragmentation utility B) Compression utility C) Backup utility D) Anti-malware utility Answer: B
- What is the main purpose of a defragmentation utility? A) To remove viruses from a computer B) To reduce file size for storage C) To reorganise scattered file pieces into continuous blocks D) To copy files to separate storage for safekeeping Answer: C
- A firm uses software to test how a new product design would behave under stress, without building a physical prototype. This is an example of: A) Utility software B) Simulation software C) System software D) An operating system Answer: B
Work through these questions in the app
Work through these questions in the app
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
Want to practice mock questions on Software? Download the Green Bridge CBT app to access mock questions and full practice assessments for this topic.
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
