IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 Definitions Worksheet: 3.4 Network Hardware and 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts (Modules 356–372)
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Date:
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Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
term + because + reason
2
system software
3
application software
4
System software vs application software
5
utility software
6
defragmenter
7
disk formatter
8
compression utility
9
system vs application
10
OS functions
Answer Key
IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 · Modules 356–372 · Student wording will vary for definitions
1term + because + reason — A full-mark answer uses the correct terms (NIC, MAC address, IP address, router) and links each point to a reason, using 'because'.
2system software — Software that provides the services the computer needs to run, such as the operating system and utility software, often working in the background without the user asking.
3application software — Software named by the user task it does, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, web browser, photo or video editor, or game, so the user can get a job done.
4System software vs application software — System software runs the computer itself, e.g. the OS. Application software does jobs for the user, e.g. a word processor, and cannot run without system software.
5utility software — System software that helps maintain, look after and protect a computer, such as antivirus, backup and file compression. It is separate from the operating system.
6defragmenter — A utility that rearranges the scattered pieces of files on a hard disk drive so each file is stored together, which speeds up reading. It is not needed for SSDs.
7disk formatter — Utility software that prepares a new drive or USB stick for use by creating a file system to store files in. It also erases any existing data on the device.
8compression utility — Utility software that makes files smaller to save storage space and send them faster, and can restore (unzip) them to their original form when needed.
9system vs application — Ask who the program serves: the computer itself (OS, antivirus, backup) is system software; a task the user wants done (word processor, game) is application software. Justify with 'because'.
10OS functions — The nine jobs of an OS: managing files, handling interrupts, user interface, peripherals and drivers, memory, multitasking, platform for apps, security and user accounts.