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5. System Software
A section of Computer Science, 9618
Listing 9 of 9 questions
A computer has an Operating System (OS). Describe how the Operating System manages the peripheral hardware devices of the computer. Hardware management is one key management task carried out by the Operating System. Identify two other key management tasks carried out by the Operating System. The Operating System has utility software including defragmentation software. Explain how defragmentation can improve the performance of the computer. The computer stores data in binary form. State the difference between a kibibyte and a kilobyte. Convert the denary number 964 into Binary Coded Decimal (BCD). Convert the positive binary integer 11110010 into hexadecimal. Give the smallest and largest two’s complement binary number that can be represented using 8 bits. Smallest Largest Add the following two binary integers using binary addition. Show your working. 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 Show the result of a 3‑place right logical shift on the binary number:
9618_s23_qp_11
THEORY
2023
Paper 1, Variant 1
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A computer has system software. The Operating System handles interrupts. Tick () one box in each row to identify whether each event is an example of a hardware interrupt or a software interrupt. Event Hardware interrupt Software interrupt Buffer full Printer is out of paper User has pressed a key on the keyboard Division by zero Power failure Stack overflow Describe the file management tasks that an Operating System performs. Identify two utility programs that can be used to improve the performance of a computer and state how they improve the performance.
9618_w21_qp_12
THEORY
2021
Paper 1, Variant 2
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Draw one line from each utility software to its most appropriate purpose. Utility software virus checker disk formatter backup defragmentation disk repair Purpose to reorganise files so they are contiguous to scan for malicious program code to decrease the file size to create copies of files in case the original is lost to initialise a disk to check for and fix inconsistencies on a disk Compilers and interpreters translate programs written in a high-level language into a low-level language. State two drawbacks of using a compiler compared to an interpreter during program development. Explain why high-level language programs might be partially compiled and partially interpreted.
9618_w22_qp_12
THEORY
2022
Paper 1, Variant 2
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Jennifer is writing a computer program for her A Level homework. Jennifer uses a program library to help her write her computer program. Describe how a program library can be used while writing a computer program. Jennifer uses an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to write her computer program. The IDE allows Jennifer to use both an interpreter and a compiler while creating her computer program. Describe the ways in which Jennifer can use both a compiler and an interpreter while developing the program. Identify two debugging tools that a typical IDE can provide.
9618_s21_qp_12
THEORY
2021
Paper 1, Variant 2
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A programmer uses an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to develop a program. Draw one line from each IDE feature to its correct description. IDE feature Description Context-sensitive prompt Executes one line of the program and then stops Dynamic syntax check Underlines or highlights statements that do not meet the rules of the language Breakpoint Outputs the contents of variables and data structures Single stepping Stops the code executing at a set line Report window Displays predictions of the code being entered The programmer wants to allow users to edit, improve and redistribute the program. Identify two different types of software licence that the programmer could use. Explain the benefits to the programmer of using program libraries.
9618_s22_qp_11
THEORY
2022
Paper 1, Variant 1
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A software developer is working in a team writing a program for a client. The developer is writing a new program library to be used by the other team members. Define the term program library. Explain two benefits to the developer of choosing to create a Dynamic Link Library (DLL). The development team needs to use a translator whilst writing the program for the client. Identify whether an interpreter or a compiler would be more appropriate at this stage of the program development. Justify your choice. Translator Justification The development team uses an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Complete the table by describing the typical features found in an IDE. Feature Description Breakpoints Dynamic syntax checks Context‑sensitive prompts Single stepping One section of the program being developed will convert user’s speech into commands. Explain how Artificial Intelligence (Acan be used in this program.
9618_s23_qp_12
THEORY
2023
Paper 1, Variant 2
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A programmer is developing a computer game in a high-level language to sell to the public. The programmer uses both an interpreter and a compiler at different stages of the development of the program. Explain the reasons why the programmer uses an interpreter while writing the program code. Explain the reasons why the programmer uses a compiler when the program has been written. The programmer needs to publish the game under a software licence so that it can be sold to the public. Identify the most appropriate type of software licence for the game and justify your choice. Licence Justification
9618_s23_qp_13
THEORY
2023
Paper 1, Variant 3
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Questions Discovered
9