HIGHER COMPUTING COMPUTER SYSTEMS

COMPUTER SOFTWARE CLASS TEST

1. What is the purpose of the bootstrap loader?

2. Describe three functions of a standard operating system.

3. What is utility software?

4. A disk editor is a common example of utility software. Describe one function of a disk editor.

5. Describe how disk defragmenter software works.

6. Explain how the use of a disk defragmenter can improve the system performance of a computer.

7. Name one type of utility program that may be used while downloading files and explain why it is
used.

8. Information on passenger travel is used by various departments of the company for marketing
and planning. All data is saved using a standard file format. What is meant by a standard file
format?

9. Software distributed with a digital camera allows the photos to be saved in a number of
different standard file formats. Name two standard file formats suitable for this application
and for each one give one advantage and one disadvantage of its use.

10. Does a GIF standard file format use a lossless or lossy type of compression to store graphic files?

11. Does a JPEG standard file format use a lossless or lossy type of compression to store graphic
files?

12. Kingsland Drive Youth Club has decided to set up a computer system so that they can send
regular newsletters to members, and keep an up-to-date list of members details and
subscriptions. List three types of application software they may need and describe the purpose
of each type in this situation.

13. A piece of software has been installed on a computer. A compatibility issue may prevent the
new software from running properly on the computer. State one possible software and one
possible hardware compatibility issue that might prevent the new software from running.

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14. The latest version of KoolSoundz is only guaranteed to run on processors from one
manufacturer. Explain why the software may not run on machines using a processor from
another manufacturer.

15. A computer which is connected to a network can be more liable to virus infections than others.
Because of this an anti-virus utility has been installed on all network stations. Name and
describe three types of file that could be infected.

16. Name and describe four virus code actions.

17. Being connected to a network is one reason why one computer might be more liable to virus
infection than others. Give two other reasons why one computer might be more liable to virus
infection than others.

18. Describe each of the following:

a Virus
a Worm
a Trojan

19. Describe the following anti-virus software detection techniques:

Use of Checksum
Searching for virus signatures
Heuristic detection
Memory resident monitoring

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