Systems Software

  • Systems software is a category of software that includes the operating system and utility programmes.

  • Operating systems handle the computer hardware and the software, providing a wide range of functions.

  • The three main types of operating systems are single user and single task, single user and multitask, and multi-user.

  • Single user and single task systems are designed to manage the computer so that one user can effectively do one thing at a time.

  • Single user and multitask systems are designed to handle multiple tasks from the same user at the same time, like listening to music while typing a document.

  • Multi-user systems allow multiple users to use a computer system simultaneously.

  • The kernel is the core component of an operating system. It manages system resources and interacts with hardware.

  • The operating system provides a user interface, which might be graphical (GUI) or command-line (CLI).

  • Utility programmes perform specialised, routine tasks related to managing system resources.

  • Disk defragmenters, system profilers, virus checkers, and backup utilities are examples of utility programmes.

  • A device driver is software that controls a particular type of hardware connected to a system.

  • The operating system provides a software platform on top of which other software, called application programmes, can run.

  • Systems software ensures that the hardware and software are used in an efficient and user-friendly manner.

  • An embedded system is one which the software and hardware are tightly coupled.

  • Firmware is a kind of systems software that resides in read-only memory.

  • Virtual machines act as a bridge between the hardware and the user, presenting a set of emulated hardware to the user.

  • Virtualisation software allows multiple operating systems to run on one set of hardware, with each operating system believing it is using the entire set of hardware alone.

Remember to carefully reflect on all these bullet points and understand their practical application. Practice with past papers whenever possible to familiarise yourself with examination questions and scenarios.