Software Basics Exam Questions

Award one mark for any of the following:

• The operating system is needed/essential for the computer to run / utility software is optional (1)
• The operating system manages the hardware/users/resources / utility software performs housekeeping tasks that keep the system running efficiently (1)
• The operating system provides a platform for other software to run / utility software carries out extra/specific tasks (1)
• Each utility program performs one specific task / the operating system carries out many different management tasks (1)
• Utility software is often packaged with the operating system but can also be bought separately (1)

Do not accept answers that only give an example of each (e.g. Windows, anti-malware) without stating a difference.

Do not accept the operating system is hardware.

Award one mark for:

• Disk defragmentation (software) (1)

Allow defragmentation software, defragmenter, defrag.

Do not accept disk cleanup, disk formatter, file repair software or backup software.

Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

• File management (1)
• Process management (1)
• Peripheral management (1)
• User management (1)

Allow 'managing files', 'managing processes', 'managing peripherals', 'managing users'.

Do not accept examples of utility software, such as anti-malware, backup or defragmentation, as these are not functions of the operating system.

Do not accept 'runs/loads the programs' on its own.

Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

• File repair (software) (1)
• Backup (software) (1)
• Data compression (software) (1)
• Disk defragmentation (software) (1)
• Anti-malware (software) (1)

Allow antivirus software.

Do not accept file management, process management, peripheral management or user management, as these are functions of the operating system.

Do not accept operating systems (e.g. Windows, Linux) or application software (e.g. word processor, web browser).

Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:

• A scheduler decides which process/program is run next (1) so that the CPU is shared between processes (1)
• Allocates CPU/processor time to each process (1) so that more than one program can run at once/multitasking (1)
• Manages the running of processes (1) so that each process gets a fair share of the processor time (1)
• Keeps track of the state of each process (1) to make efficient use of the processor (1)

Do not accept responses about managing files, peripherals or users.

Do not accept 'closes/stops programs' or 'stops programs freezing' with no reference to scheduling or the processor.

Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:

• Organises files into folders/directories (1) so that files can be found/tracked easily (1)
• Keeps a record of where each file is stored on the disk (1) so that the file can be located/retrieved when it is needed (1)
• Sets access rights/permissions for files (1) so that only authorised users can read/write them (1)
• Allows files to be created/copied/moved/deleted (1) so that the user can organise their work (1)
• Manages the naming of files (1) so that each file can be identified (1)

Do not accept responses about managing processes, peripherals or users.

Do not accept answers that only repeat the question, such as 'it manages the files on the computer', with no development.

Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:

• Rearranges/regroups the fragments of files (1) so that each file is stored in one continuous block (1)
• Moves fragments of files closer together (1) so that files load/open more quickly (1)
• Collects the free space/gaps together (1) so that new files can be saved in one block (1)
• Reduces the movement of the read/write head (1) so that the disk is accessed/programs load faster (1)

Do not accept responses about deleting unused files or freeing up space, as these describe disk cleanup.

Do not accept responses about compressing files or repairing damaged files.

Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:

• The operating system is essential for the computer to work (1) whereas utility software performs housekeeping tasks to keep it running efficiently (1)
• The operating system provides a platform for application software to run (1) whereas utility software carries out extra/maintenance tasks (1)
• The operating system manages the hardware/files/processes/peripherals/users (1) whereas utility software performs one specific job, such as backup or compression (1)
• The operating system is loaded when the computer starts up (1) whereas utility software is often supplied with the operating system but can be bought separately (1)

Do not accept answers that describe only the operating system or only utility software, as a comparison is needed for both marks.

Do not accept 'utility software is application software' or 'the operating system is the hardware'.

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• Files can be organised into folders/directories (1) so users can find/store files easily (1)
• Files can be located/opened/saved (1) because the operating system keeps track of where each file is stored (1)
• Access permissions can be set on files (1) so only allowed users can read/modify them (1)
• Files can be copied/moved/deleted (1) because the operating system controls where data is written/removed on a storage device (1)
• Free disk space can be monitored/managed (1) so storage does not run out / files are stored efficiently (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Do not accept 'manages files' or 'organises files' on its own as it repeats the question.

Allow 'makes it easier to find files' as the linked reason for organising files into folders.

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• Lost/damaged files can be restored (1) because a copy is stored separately from the original (1)
• Data can be recovered after a hardware failure (1) because a duplicate copy is kept on another storage device/location (1)
• Files can be recovered if they are deleted by accident (1) because a copy was made before they were deleted (1)
• A previous version of a file can be recovered (1) because backups are made regularly/at set times (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

A benefit stated on its own, such as 'lost files can be restored', earns the first mark only.

Do not accept a description of what backup software does, such as 'it makes a copy of the files' or 'it backs up files', without a benefit it provides.

Do not accept 'keeps data safe' or 'stops files being lost' on its own without saying how the data can be recovered.

Do not accept protection from malware/viruses, e.g. 'it protects the computer from viruses'; that is the purpose of anti-malware software.

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• Device drivers/drivers are used/installed (1) so the operating system can control/communicate with a peripheral (1)
• Data is transferred between the computer and a peripheral (1) so input can be read/output can be produced (1)
• Interrupts from devices/peripherals are handled (1) so the processor can respond when a device needs attention/has finished (1)
• Each peripheral is allocated to a process (1) so two processes do not try to use the same device at the same time (1)
• Print jobs are held in a queue/spooled (1) so several jobs can be sent to one printer and printed one at a time (1)
• Errors from a peripheral are handled/reported (1) so the program using the device does not crash (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Allow other valid functions of peripheral management that are explained, e.g. sending data to a peripheral in the correct format, reporting a device error to the user.

Do not accept 'it manages peripherals' / 'it controls the hardware' on its own as it repeats the question.

Do not accept 'it installs the printer' / 'it connects the peripheral' on its own without saying what the operating system does with the device or why.

Do not accept cleaning/maintaining a peripheral; that is not peripheral management by the operating system.

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• Files take up less storage space (1) because compression stores the data using fewer bits/removes redundant or unnecessary data (1)
• Files can be transferred/downloaded faster (1) because there is less data to send over a network (1)
• More files fit on a storage device (1) because each file is smaller (1)
• Email attachments can be sent without exceeding attachment size limits (1) because compression reduces the size of the file (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Do not accept 'it makes files smaller' on its own without a named benefit such as using less storage space or faster transfer; this repeats the question.

Do not accept 'compression frees up space by deleting files' as compression does not delete the original file.

Do not accept answers about disk defragmentation as this is a different utility.

Indicative content

File management

• The operating system organises the practice's patient records into folders, so staff can find a patient's record quickly during an appointment.
• It carries out file operations such as saving, moving, renaming and deleting, so a dentist can save updated notes to the correct record.
• It sets permissions on shared folders and files, so that only authorised staff, such as dentists, can open a patient's clinical records; this reduces the risk of confidential records being seen by the wrong staff.
• It can give read-only access to some files, so receptionists can view appointment details but cannot change clinical notes.
• It shows the size of files and the free space on the practice's shared storage, so managers can see when more storage is needed for records.

User management

• The operating system creates a user account for each member of staff, with a username and password, so that each person has their own access to the system.
• It allocates access rights to each account, so receptionists, dentists and managers each see only the folders and files their role needs.
• It allows accounts to be grouped by role, so a new dentist can be given the same permissions as the existing dentists quickly instead of setting each one by hand.
• It can require strong passwords, which makes it harder for one member of staff to log on using another person's account and open patient records.
• It can disable or delete an account when a member of staff leaves, so that they can no longer open patient records.

Levels

• Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic, independent points are made, showing elements of understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion will contain basic information with little linkage between points made or application to the context. (AO2)
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates adequate understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure and application to the context. (AO2)
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science to support the discussion being presented. (AO1) The discussion is well developed, with sustained lines of reasoning that are coherent and logically structured, and which clearly apply to the context. (AO2)

Level 3 responses must cover both file management and user management and develop how each supports the practice, for example linking permissions to who can open patient records. Answers that only state basic, undeveloped points such as 'the operating system puts files in folders' or 'users have a username and password', with little reference to the practice, are limited to Level 1 (maximum 2 marks).

Do not accept backup, disk defragmentation or anti-malware software as operating system file management, or encryption, as these are outside the operating system's file management; they are utility software or security measures.