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An interface supplied by the operating system to ‘hide’ the complexities of the software and hardware from the human user.
What is Human computer interface (HCI)?
Converts a program written in a high-level language program into machine code.
What is a Translator?
Programs within an operating system which carry out certain functions such as virus checking, defragmentation and screensaver.
What are Utility programs (utilities)?
Activities carried out by an operating system to ensure the integrity, confidentiality and availability of data.
What is Security Management?
A small program that is used to load other programs to correctly ‘start-up’ a computer system.
What is Bootstrap loader?
An interface which allows communication with the computer by typing in commands using a keyboard. This is text-based system.
What is Command line interface (CLI)?
A computer program that translates programming code written in assembly language into machine code.
What is an Assembler?
The process of making copies of files onto another storage media in case the original file becomes corrupted or is deleted.
What is Back-up?
Activities carried out by an operating system to control, maintain and allocate main memory.
What is Memory Management?
It stands for electronically erasable programmable ROM and where you can find the ROM BIOS.
What is EEPROM?
An interface that uses icons to represent apps and tasks which the user can select/launch by clicking on a mouse or using a touch screen.
What is a Graphical user interface (GUI)?
A computer program that analyses and executes a program written in a high-level language/low-level language line by line.
What is an Interpreter?
Software that supplies a still or moving image on a monitor if a computer has been inactive for a period of time.
What is a Screensaver?
When a computer processes more than one task/process at a time.
What is Multitasking?
A program that provides low level control for devices.
What is Firmware?
An interface that uses a pointing device such as a mouse to select options from screen icons or a menu.
What is windows icons menu and pointing device (WIMP)?
A computer program that translates a source program written in a high-level or low-level language into machine code or machine-ready code.
What is a Compiler?
Checking software for behaviour that could indicate a possible virus.
What is Heuristic checking?
The part of an operating system that controls all input and output devices; it is made up of sub-systems such as printer management.
What is Hardware management?
Software that provides an environment in which applications can run and also provides an interface between computer and human operator.
What is an Operating System?
A modern touch screen interface system that allows actions such as pinching and rotating.
What is Post-WIMP?
Software that communicates with the operating system and translates data into a format understood by the device.
What is a Device driver?
A process that reorganizes sectors on an HDD by rearranging blocks of data so that they are contiguous.
What is Defragmentation?
Part of an operating system that manages files in a computer (for example, the ability to create, delete, copy, open, close and rename files).
What is File management software?
An agreement that allows an individual to use a computer; the user needs a user name and password to enter the user’s area.
What is a User account?