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Solutions for Computer Studies, Class 8, ICSE
Define hardware and software.
Hardware refers to the physical parts of the computer that we can see and touch. Software refers to the instructions or programs that tell the hardware what to do.
What is a System software? Into how many categories can it be classified?
System software is a collection of one or more programs that controls and manages the overall operation and performance of a computer system. It can be classified into the following categories: Operating System, Language Processors, Device Drivers, and Utility Software.
Explain why we need an Operating system.
Operating system acts as the central coordinator between hardware and software. It fills the communication gap between the hardware and the user. An operating system encompasses all operations such as What to do?, When to do?, How to do? For example, when a button is pressed on a hardware, this information is passed to the operating system which takes care of the final outcome by handling What to do?, When to do? and How to do it?
Explain any two functions of an Operating system.
Two functions of an Operating system are:
Processor Management — The OS (Operating System) ensures that each process/application receives enough time from the processor to function properly. It also tries to utilize as many processor cycles as possible for the real time work.
Memory Storage and Management — The OS (Operating System) manages the sharing of internal memory among the multiple applications. It also ensures that one process should not consume the memory allocated to another process. An OS has to make efficient utilisation of different types of memory (RAM, Cache, etc.) within the system, so as to ensure proper execution of every process.
What are the advantages of GUI over CUI?
| GUI (Graphical User Interface) | CUI (Character User Interface) |
|---|---|
| GUI interface is much attractive and appealing. | CUI interface is relatively less appealing. |
| GUI is easier to learn and more user-friendly due to the presence of various graphical elements like icons, menu, buttons, etc. | CUI is a text based interface and hence is not as user friendly as GUI. |
| With GUI, a user does not have to learn complicated commands. | A user is required to memorize many commands to operate and control a CUI. |
| GUI users have Windows that allow a user to work, view, control, and manipulate multiple programs and folders at the same time. | CUI does not offer the same ease and ability to work with multiple programs at once on one screen. |
| GUI supports the use of both a mouse and keyboard to control and navigate through your system. | CUI supports the use of a keyboard only. |
| In GUI, the user mostly gets immediate visual feedback of the action he is doing. For example, the user can see immediately that a file is successfully moved from one directory to another. | In CUI, there is no obvious feedback. If we consider the same example, one or more additional commands will have to be issued to confirm the file transfer action. |
| In GUI multiple tasks can run simultaneously at a time. | Only one task can be executed at a particular point of time in CUI. |
Write short notes on the following:
i. Multi-user operating system
Multi-user operating system allows more than one user to use the same computer at the same time or at different times. Some Operating Systems, which fall in this category are: Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Linux, Unix. Windows 2000 was the first version of Windows, which allowed creation of several user accounts on a single machine.
ii. Multi-threading operating system
These operating systems allow different parts of a software program to run simultaneously. The feature of multi-threading can delay the execution response of certain processes. For example, if a Game server is hosted on LAN, then all players connecting to that server will utilise different parts of the same game at the same time. All resources will be utilised from the server machine, which can be a performance degrading factor. The common examples of such operating systems are: Windows NT/2000, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Unix, Linux, etc.
iii. Real time operating system
RTOS (Real time operating system) is designed to handle real life scenarios and problems. Such operating systems have the capability to prioritise the processes, minimise execution time, and work independently with no interdependencies. Real time operating system is used when the time span required to react to an input is rigid and time bound. Even a microsecond of delay will cause the system to fail. Examples are: Air traffic control, Robots, Weapon systems, and Industrial control systems.
There are two types of Real Time Operating Systems:
iv. Distributed operating system
Distributed operating system runs on a set of computers that are located in different geographical areas, interconnected by a network. It controls these interconnected systems and makes them appear as a single computer. It allows all the linked machines to access data and software, and the process takes over the common network from different computers, irrespective of their location on the globe.
While conducting a lecture on the types of operating system, Mohit's instructor asked him to name an opearting system that is used when the time span required to react to an input is rigid and time bound. Can you help Mohit in answering the question?
RTOS (Real Time Operating System)
In a quiz competition, the quiz master asked one of the participants, Nyra, "In which user interface, the user mostly gets immediate visual feedback of the action he performs?" To this Nyra replied "CUI". Is she right? If not, what is the right answer?
Nyra is wrong. Correct answer is GUI (Graphical User Interface)
Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer that you can see and touch.
Software refers to the instructions or programs, that tell the hardware what to do.
Application software is a set of programs designed to perform specific type of job.
Distributed operating system runs on computers which are located in different geographical areas, interconnected through a network.
A Command line is a space on the display screen in which commands are typed in by the user.
A computer interprets the instructions given by a user with the help of an
The ability to perform more than one task together at one time is called
.......... has the capability to prioritise the processes, minimise the execution time and work independently with no interdependencies.
Character User Interface is also known as .......... Interface.
.......... requires more RAM to run
Computers work with an interaction of hardware and software.
True
Application software is a collection of one or more programs that controls and manages the overall operation and performance of a computer system.
False
Operating System acts as a central coordinator between the user and the software.
False
Multi-threading operating system allows more than one user to use the same computer at the same time or at different times.
True
CUI requires the user to type commands in order to interact with the computer system.
True