Name:

Software Answers
The OCR Specification says that you should be able to:
Operating Systems

explain the need for the following functions of an operating

system: user interface, memory management, peripheral management,
multi-tasking and security

Utility Programmes

describe the purpose and use of common utility programs for

computer security (antivirus, spyware protection and firewalls), disk
organisation (formatting, file transfer, and defragmentation), and system
maintenance (system information and diagnosis, system cleanup tools,
automatic updating)

Application Software

discuss the relative merits of custom written, off the shelf, open
source and proprietary software

Past Paper Exam questions

Jan 2011
1. Karen wants to use handheld computers to take customers orders in her
restaurant. She is thinking of using custom written, open source software.
(a) State what is meant by custom written software.
Software that is created especially for a user/the restaurant (for a specific
purpose will not be accepted unless you indicate that there is a user who
determines the purpose.)
[1]
(b) State two reasons why Karen may decide to use custom written software.
Two from:

Appropriate software may not exist

Existing software may not do exactly what restaurant wants
Existing software may not be compatible with restaurants hardware
Existing software may contain additional features
(more complex and expensive)
[2]

(c) Discuss the implications of creating open source software for the
restaurant.
The quality of written communication will be assessed in your answer to this
question.
Points to be made include:
Open source licence-free, the restaurant will make the software and its
source code available for others to use/improve.
Financial implications include: no need to pay for license, can reuse/adapt
free open source software which is similar BUT loss of development
costs/software will be available to competitors
Quality implications include: large community of open source developers can
see and comment on code or can be consulted/ software has to conform to
certain standards to be released under public licence BUT open source code is
used as is, with no guarantees,
o
Ethical implications include: Open source encourages open culture
values - free sharing, collaboration BUT restaurant is a business trying to
make a profit.
[6]
June 2011
2. Describe the following types of common utility programs.
(a) Antivirus

Scans the computer periodically

To check if any software has been installed which contains code that may
harm the computer
Removes/quarantines these programs / notifies the user
Prevents these programs from being installed
Protects the computer by preventing important files (eg the boot sector
or operating system) from being changed

[2]
(b) Disk defragmenter

Moves (parts of) of files around so that all parts of a file are stored
together (allowing files to be accessed more quickly)
Free space is collected together (allowing large files to be saved easily)

[2]

Jan 2012
3. One of the functions of an operating system is multi-tasking.
(a) Explain one reason why multi-tasking is needed in an operating system.

Allows more than one program to run (apparently) at the same time
... by sharing processor time / resources between the programs
Enables the user to be more productive

... Good example of a situation where multitasking is required (eg cut

from browser and paste in word processor)
o (1 mark for valid point & 1 for expansion)

[2]
(b) State two other functions of an operating system.

Providing a user interface

Providing a platform for applications
Memory management
File/disk management
Peripheral management / providing a platform for hardware
Security

[2]

4. A school uses a computer system to monitor the attendance, punctuality and

homework of its pupils
(a) Describe two ways in which modern computer technology can help the
school monitor the pupils.
For example:
Swipe card / Smart card technology / RFID cards. Can allow pupils to register
themselves. Can allow pupils to be located
Electronic registers/ centralised attendance database. Immediately updated.
Can send messages (eg via email / SMS to parents) to inform of absence. Can
produce up to date reports of absence
Virtual learning environment. Homework set is recorded online. Whether
homework is completed is recorded on line. Parents can be given access to
this information

[4]
(b) The school has decided to use off-the-shelf software.
(i) State two advantages of off-the-shelf software
Available now / the school will not have to wait
Recommendations available / can see it working in other schools
Tried and tested / less likely to contain bugs (given how critical the
application is)
Costs less than custom-written / as the school does not pay for the full cost of
development.
More (third party) support / documentation

[2]
(ii) State two disadvantages of off-the-shelf software
May contain features which the school does not need
May not contain features which the school needs

 May not be compatible with schools hardware

May not be compatible with schools processes
Developer not available to make adjustments necessary

[2]

June 2012
5. Describe how the following system maintenance utilities are used.
System cleanup

(Searches for and) deletes files/programs which are no longer used

eg deletes temporary files / installation files
deletes settings / registry values which are no longer used

[2]
Automatic update

Checks on the (software manufacturer's site on the) Internet for newer

versions of programs which are installed
If found it download / installs the software

[2]

Jan 2013
6. Amin buys a new computer with an operating system and some utilities.
(a) State two functions of the operating system.

Provides interfaces between user and computer/Determines look and feel

of the computer
Provides a platform for software to run
Manages peripherals used by the system
Manages memory.
File/disk management
Security

[2]
(b) The table below shows some of the utilities in Amins computer.
Tick one box in each row to show whether the utility is used for security or disk
organisation.

[4]

(b) Some of the software in Amins computer is open source.

Describe what is meant by open source software.

The source code is distributed with the software

The customer can modify the source code
The customer can redistribute the source code (with the same
licence/restrictions)

[2]