chapter 4 Software concepts I PUC -CS

CHAPTER 4 SOFTWARE CONCEPTS

One mark questions:
1. What is a program? (U)
ANS :Set of instructions are called program
2. What is hardware? (U)
ANS :Physical components of a computer is called Hardware.
3.What is software? (U)
ANS :Set of programs(instructions) which does a task is called a software.
4.What is machine language? (U)
ANS :Machine level language is computer understandable language which
usses binary numbers i.e. 0’s and 1’s.
5.What is assembly language? (U)
ANS :Assembly level language is a low-level programming language that allows
a user to write programs using letters, words and symbols called mnemonics.
6. Give an example for high-level language. (A)
ANS : C, C++, JAVA, FORTRAN, QBASIC, and PASCAL
7. What is meant by machine dependent language? (K)
ANS :Machine languages are machine dependent because they are so closely
related to the structure of a particular machine.
8.What is meant by machine independent language? (K)
ANS :High-level languages are machine independent. Therefore, a program
written for one computer can be executed on different computers with no or only
slight modifications.
9.Define opcode. (K)
ANS :OPCODE (operation code) is a machine language code which does some
operation on the data.
10. What is an assembler? (U)

ANS :The translator program that converts an assembly code into machine code
is called an assembler.
11. What is a compiler? (U)

ANS :Compiler is system software that translates high-level language (source

code) into the machine level language (machine/object code).
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12. What is an interpreter? (U)

ANS :An Interpreter reads once a statement of a high-level language program at

a time and translates it into machine level language and executes it immediately.
13. What is system software? (U)

ANS :System software is a computer program that controls the system hardware
and interacts with application software.
14. What is application software? (U)

ANS :Application software that has been written to process performs a specific
job.
15. What is linker? (U)

ANS :A linker is system software that links (combines) smaller programs to form a
single program.
16. What is loader? (U)

ANS :A loader is system software that loads machine code of a program into the
system memory and prepares these programs for execution.
17. Define operating system. (U)

ANS : System software is the operating systems,which starts up the computer

and control its operation.
18. Write any one function of operating system. (A)

ANS :Memory Management, File Management, Process Management

19. Name any single-user operating system. (A)

ANS :DOS and Windows- 95, Win-98, Apple Macintosh etc are example
20. Name any multi-user operating system. (A)

ANS :UNIX, Windows Server

21. What is multitasking? (U)

ANS :Multitasking operating systems allow more than one program to run at a
time.
22. What is multithreading? (U)

ANS :A thread is a sequence of instructions within a program.

A program or process may have many threads which share the same code
section, data section, and other OS resources.
23. Name any mobile operating system. (A)

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ANS :Symbian, IOS, Android ,Harmony OS

Two marks questions:
1.What are the types of software? (U/K)
ANS : o System Software
o Application Software
2.Compare hardware and software. (U)
ANS :Hardware: It consists of the physical components of a computer.
Software: A set of instructions that tells the computer to perform an
intended task.
3.What is application software? Give example. (U /K)
ANS :Application software that has been written to process performs a specific
job. For example: Microsoft office (MS-Word, MS-Excel), Tally, Oracle etc.
4.What is system software? Give example. (U/K)
ANS :System software is a computer program that controls the system hardware
and interacts with application software.
For example: Operating system, utility software, System servers
5.State the difference between object code and source code. (U)
ANS :Object code – Programs in machine language (after the conversion from
high-level language) is called object code.
Source code- Programs written in high-level language is called source code.
6.Differentiate between high-level and low-level language. (U)
ANS :Low-level Languages - A language which can understand by the Machine.
Example: Machine Language and Assembly Language
Machine level language is the fundamental language of a computer which is
written using binary numbers i.e. 0’s and 1’s.
Assembly level language allows a user to write programs using letters, words
and symbols called mnemonics.
High-level Languages -
through the use of familiar English words and symbols.
-level languages used English like language, which are easier to learn and
use.
-level languages are C, C++, JAVA, FORTRAN and PASCAL.

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7.What is a translator? (U)

ANS :The translator translates the high-level language to low level language.
There are three types of translators: Compilers, Interpreters, and Assemblers.
8. What is an Assembler? (U)
ANS :Assembler:
Assembler is system software which translates an assembly language program
into its machine language.
Example: TASM (Turbo Assembler), MASM (Microsoft Macro Assembler) etc.
9. Differentiate between interpreter and compiler. (U)
ANS :Compilers:
Compiler is system software that translates high-level language (source code)
into the machine level language (machine/object code).
It reads the whole program and translates the entire program at once into a
series of machine level language instructions.
Examples: C, C++.
Interpreters:
An Interpreter reads once a statement of a high-level language program at a
time and translates it into machine level language and executes it immediately.
It continues to read, translate and execute the statements one by one until it
reaches the end of the program.
than a compiler.
Example: BASIC, PROLOG
10. What is the function of linker and loader. (U)
ANS :A source program written in high-level languages may contain a number of
modules or segments.To execute properly the modules are to be linked by the
Linker for sequential execution of the program.
Once an executable program is generated Loader loads the program into the
main memory of the computer to be executed.
11. What is an operating system? Give example. (U)
ANS :An operating system is a set of programs which acts as an interface
between the user and the computer.

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Some examples of operating system are: UNIX, LINUX, MS-DOS, and Microsoft
Windows such as Win 95, Win 98, Win 2000, Win XP, Win 7, Win 8, Android, Mac
OS etc.
12. Explain operating system as user interface? (U)
ANS :

Operating system manages the resource, resolves conflicts’ and tries to optimize
the performance of the system.
user communicates with the computer through operating system
commands and program instructions.

memory, displaying message, translating program and in outputting the results.

13. Explain need of operating system. (U)
ANS :The user communicates with the computer through operating system
commands and program instructions.

memory, displaying message, translating program and in outputting the results.

14. Explain real time operating system. (U)
ANS :
to events before the events become obsolete.
-time systems is to provide quick event – response
times and thus meeting the scheduling deadlines.

imaging systems, industrial control systems, flight control and military application.

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-time systems.
15. Explain batch processing. (U)
ANS :The operating system that allows users to create batches and execute each
batch sequentially, processing all jobs of batch considering them as a single
process is called “Batch Operating system”

16. Explain time sharing system. (U)

ANS : -Sharing operating system allows many users to share the computer
resource simultaneously.

several programs simultaneously.

17. Write any two features of windows. (K)
ANS :Refer below question
18. Write any two functional features of network operating system. (K)
ANS :In a network operating system the user are aware of the existence of
multiple computers and can log in to remote machines and copy files from one
machine to another machine.
19. Write any two functional features of LINUX. (K)
ANS :Refer below question
20. Mention any two mobile operating systems. (K)
ANS :Android, IOS, Symbian, HarmonyOS etc
21. Give the difference between CUI and GUI (K)
ANS : Refer below question
Three marks questions:
1. Write a note on Computer languages. (K)

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ANS :Programming Language is a set of rules called syntax which user has to
follow, to instruct the computer what operation are to be performed.
Computer language are classified into two categories:
o Low-Level Languages
Machine level languages
Assembly languages
o High-Level Languages
General Purpose languages (Ex: BASIC, PASCAL, C)
Specific purpose languages (Ex: COBOL, FORTAN, C++)
Machine Level Language
Machine level language is the fundamental language of a computer.
It is written using binary numbers i.e. 0’s and 1’s.
A program written in the machine level language is called Machine code.
Assembly Level Language:
Assembly level language is a low-level programming language that allows a user
to write programs using letters, words and symbols called mnemonics, instead of
the binary digits used in machine level languages.
A program written in the assembly level language is called Assembly code.
High-level Languages
A language designed to make programming easier through the use of familiar
English words and symbols.
High-level languages used English like language, which are easier to learn and
use.
High-level languages are machine independent.
-level languages are C, C++, JAVA, FORTRAN, QBASIC, and
PASCAL.
2. Explain different types of operating systems. (U)

ANS :Types of Operating System(OS):

The different types of operating system are:
o Single user Operating System
o Batch Operating System
o Multiprogramming Operating System

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Multiuser Operating System

Time sharing System (Online /Multiuser)
Real time system
o Distributed Operating System
o Network Operating System
o Multithreading Operating System
Single User Operating System:
This OS allows only one user to share the system resource including the CPU.
These are mainly the operating system configured for the use of desktop PC and
laptops.
DOS and Windows- 95, Win-98, Apple Macintosh etc are example.
Batch Operating System:
Batch is defined as a group of job with similar needs and similar resource The
operating system that allows users to create batches and execute each batch
sequentially, processing all jobs of batch considering them as a single process is
called “Batch Operating system”
Multiprogramming Operating System:
Multiprogramming is the capability of CPU to execute two or more programs
concurrently.
Two or more programs are stored concurrently in primary storage, and the CPU
moves from one program to another, partially executing each in turn.
Early computer system and many personal computers execute program in the
order in which it is read into the system.
Only one program is executed at a time.
Multitasking Operating System:
Multitasking operating systems allow more than one program to run at a time.
It gives you the perception of 2 or more tasks running at the same time. It does
this by dividing system resources amongst these tasks.
Multitasking is usually implemented by code and data of several programs in
memory simultaneously and multiplexing processor and I/O device among them.
Example: Windows 98

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Multi-user Operating System:

A multi-user operating system allows multiple users on different computers or
terminal to access a single system with one OS on it.
It creates and maintains individual user environments, individual authentication
and security level privileges, provides per user resource usage accounting.
Time-Sharing Operating System:
Time-Sharing operating system allows many users to share the computer
resource simultaneously.
Time sharing refers to the allocation of computer resource in time slots to
several programs simultaneously.
OS.
UNIX, Windows Server is the example for multiprogramming, multi-use and time
sharing systems.
Real-time Operating System:
Real time systems refer to a computer and software systems that respond to
events before the events become obsolete.
The primary objective of real-time systems is to provide quick event – response
times and thus meeting the scheduling deadlines.
Windows CE, Symbian, Lnux OS are example for real-time systems.
Distributed Operating System:
A distributed operating system is a collection of autonomous computer systems
capable of communication and cooperation via the software and hardware
interconnections.
For example: if we have ‘N’ systems in a distributed environment then the
distributed OS helps us in balancing the load by sharing processors, I/O devices
and memory etc.
The ATM centers of a bank are example of distributed operating system.
Network Operating System:
A network operating system is a collection of software and associated protocols
that allow a set of autonomous computer which are interconnected by a computer
network.
It can be used in a convenient and cost-effective manner.

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Windows NT, windows server, LINUX are example.

Multithreaded Operating System:

may have many threads which share the same code section, data section, and
other OS resources.
It provides many logical paths through the program to be
executed simultaneously.
Sun Solaris, Windows 2000, Multithreaded UNIX, LINUX are examples.
3. List any three functions of operating system. (K)

ANS :Refer below question

4. Explain multi-user operating system. (U)

ANS :Refer below question

5. Mention the features of DOS OS. (K)

ANS :Refer below question

6. Mention the features of UNIX OS. (K)

ANS :Refer below question

7. Explain the purpose of utilities. (U)

ANS : Utilities are those helpful programs that assist the computer by performing
helpful functions like backing up disk, scanning/cleaning viruses etc.
Utility software is generally called as Application oriented ready-made system
programs.
Some of the important utility software is: Text editor, Backup utility, Disk
Defragmenter, Antivirus software.
8. Explain the terms multiprogramming and multitasking. (U)

ANS : Multiprogramming Operating System:

Multiprogramming is the capability of CPU to execute two or more programs
concurrently.
Two or more programs are stored concurrently in primary storage, and the CPU
moves from one program to another, partially executing each in turn.
Early computer system and many personal computers execute program in the
order in which it is read into the system.

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Multitasking Operating System:

Multitasking operating systems allow more than one program to run at a time.
It gives you the perception of 2 or more tasks running at the same time. It does
this by dividing system resources amongest these tasks.
Multitasking is usually implemented by code and data of several programs in
memory simultaneously and multiplexing processor and I/O device among them.
Multitasking is also called context switching.
Multitasking usually refers to a single user.
Example: Windows 98
9. Compare CUI and GUI. (U)

ANS :

Five marks questions:

1. Define the terms:

ANS :
a. Interpreter

An Interpreter reads once a statement of a high-level language program at a time

and translates it into machine level language and executes it immediately.
b. Compiler

It reads the whole program and translates the entire program at once into a series
of machine level language instructions.
c. Assembler

Assembler is system software which translates an assembly language program

into its machine language.

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d. Linker

A linker is system software that links (combines) smaller programs to form a single
program.
e. Loader

A loader is system software that loads machine code of a program into the system
memory and prepares these programs for execution.
2. Define the following:

ANS :
a. Object code – Programs in machine language (after the conversion from high-

level language) is called object code.

b. Source code- Programs written in high-level language is called source code.

c. Application software - Application software is written to perform a specific job.

d. System software. - System software is a computer program that controls the

system hardware and interacts with application software.
e.Utilities- Utilities are those helpful programs that assist the computer by
performing helpful functions like backing up disk, scanning/cleaning viruses etc.
3. What is an operating system? Explain any four operating systems.

ANS :An operating system is a set of programs which acts as an interface

between the user and the computer.
Some examples of operating system are: UNIX, LINUX, MS-DOS, and Microsoft
Windows such as Win 95, Win 98, Win 2000, Win XP, Win 7, Win 8, Android, Mac
OS etc
Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows has existed in one form or another since 1985, and it remains the
most popular operating system for home and office computers. Its latest versions,
including Windows 10, are also used on some tablets, and the OS is used on some web
and number-crunching server computers as well. Computers from a wide variety of
manufacturers can use Windows.
Apple iOS

Apple's iOS is one of the most popular smartphone operating systems, second only to
Android. It runs on Apple hardware, including iPhones, iPad tablets and iPod Touch
media players.

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Google's Android OS

Android is the most popular operating system in the world judging by the number of
devices installed. Largely developed by Google, it's chiefly used on smartphones and
tablets.
Linux Operating System

Unlike many other operating systems, development on Linux isn't led by any one
company. The operating system was created by Finnish programmer Linus Torvalds in
1991.
4. What are language translators? Explain briefly.

ANS : The translator translates the high-level language to low level language.

Assembler:

into its machine language.

substitutes the required machine code for each instruction.

Compilers:
Compiler is system software that translates high-level language (source code)
into the machine level language (machine/object code).
It reads the whole program and translates the entire program at once into a
series of machine level language instructions.
Once compiled, the program normally gets saved automatically and can be
executed directly.
Examples: C, C++.
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Interpreters:
An Interpreter reads once a statement of a high-level language program at a
time and translates it into machine level language and executes it immediately.
It continues to read, translate and execute the statements one by one until it
reaches the end of the program.
Therefore, it is slower than a compiler.
The machine code produced by the interpreter is not saved and hence, to
execute a statement again, it has to be interpreted again.
Example: BASIC, PROLOG
5. What are the different functions of an operating system?

ANS : Main functions of the operating system are as follows:

o Memory Management
o Process Management
o Device Management
o File Management
o Protection and Security
o User interface or Command interpreter.
Memory Management:
The activities of memory management handled by OS are:
o Allocate memory
o Free Memory
o Re-allocate memory to a program when a used block is freed
o Keep track of memory usage.
Process Management:
d by OS are:
o Control access to shared resources like file, memory I/O and CPU
o Control execution of applications
o Create, execute and delete a process
o Cancel or resume a process

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o Schedule a process
o Synchronization, communication and deadlock handling for process
Device Management:
The activities of device management task handled by OS are:
o Open, close and write device drivers.
o Communication, control and monitor the device drivers.
File Management:
The activities of file management task handled by OS are:
o Create and delete both files and directories
o Provide access to files
o Allocate space for files
o Keep back-up of files
o Secure files
Protection and Security:
OS protects the resource of system.
User authentication, file attributes like read, write, encryption and back-up of
data are used by OS to provide basic protection.
6. What are the features of Disk Operating System (DOS)?

ANS :
1. MS-DOS is 16 bit operating system.
2. DOS is simple text command operating system, it does not support graphical interface
3. DOS uses a text based interface and requires text and codes to operate
4. Input in DOS is through basic system commands, i.e. mouse cannot be used to
operate it
5. DOS does not support multiprogramming this mean that it can only have only one
process in the RAM at a time
6. The highest amount of storage space available is 2 GB
7. DOS is a free OS
7. What are the features of UNIX operating system?

ANS : A). Multiuser: A multi-user Operating system allows more than one user to share the
same computer system at the same time.

B). Multi Tasking: More than one program can be run at a time. The main concept of
multitasking is maximum utilizing CPU resources

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C). Open System: The UNIX is open source code i.e Any user can modified Unix open source
code according there ideas and requirements

D). Security: One of the most valued advantages of linux over the other plat forms lies with the
high security levels it ensures.
1. System level Security: Its controlled by system Administrator.
2. File level Security: Its controlled by owner of the file.
E). Portability: Portability means Independent of hardware & processors
F). Communication: The main concept of communication facility Exchanging of information or
files form one user account to other user account.
8. What are the features of Windows operating system?
ANS :
Windows Updates
Windows includes an automatic update feature with the intended purpose of keeping ts
operating system safe and up-to-date.

Windows Search
Windows Search is a search function included with Windows that allows the user to search
their entire computer. Windows Search is located in the start menu.

Windows Live
All Windows users can have access to Windows Live by creating a free account. Windows Live
includes a chat client, networking tools, a movie maker and photo gallery, and email and
Internet functions

Windows Taskbar
The taskbar in Windows is located at the bottom of the screen by default, but can be moved to
the top or sides of the screen if the user chooses. The taskbar is the main navigation tool for
Windows. It includes the Start Menu, which allows users to access programs and features.

Cortana Integration
Windows 10 will bring Microsoft’s voice-controlled digital assistant Cortana to desktop
computers, to make it easier for you to interact with your device without lifting a finger. You will
be able to search your hard drive for specific files, pull up photos from specific dates, or launch
PowerPoint presentations just by telling your PC to do so.

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