What does an operating system do, and what is utility software for?
The purpose and functions of an operating system (memory management, multitasking, peripheral management, the user interface, and security and user management) and the role of common utility software.
An Eduqas GCSE Computer Science answer on the purpose and functions of an operating system (memory management, multitasking, peripheral management, the user interface, security and user management) and the role of common utility software.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to state the purpose of an operating system and describe its main functions (memory management, multitasking, peripheral management, the user interface, and security and user management), and to give the role of common utility software. "Describe two functions of an OS" and "state the purpose of some utilities" are recurring Component 1 questions.
The purpose of an operating system
The functions of an operating system
Utility software
Try this
Q1. State the purpose of an operating system. [1 mark]
- Cue. To manage the computer's hardware and resources and provide a platform for software to run.
Q2. Name two functions of an operating system. [2 marks]
- Cue. Any two of: memory management, multitasking, peripheral/device management, the user interface, security/user management.
Q3. State the purpose of a disk defragmentation utility. [1 mark]
- Cue. It reorganises the pieces of files on a magnetic hard disk so each file's parts are together, speeding up access.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas Component 1, 20224 marksDescribe two functions of an operating system.Show worked answer →
Award up to two marks per function for naming it and describing what it does.
Memory management: allocates RAM to programs, keeps track of which memory each is using, and may use virtual memory when RAM is full, so several programs can run without interfering.
Peripheral/device management: controls hardware devices through device drivers, queues jobs (such as spooling print jobs), and provides a common interface so programs do not need to know each device's details.
Other valid functions: multitasking (scheduling CPU time so programs appear to run at once), the user interface (a way for the user to interact), and security/user management (accounts, passwords, file permissions). Markers reward a named function plus a correct description.
Eduqas Component 1, 20233 marksState the purpose of three different items of utility software.Show worked answer →
Award one mark each for a correct utility and its purpose, up to three.
Backup utility: makes copies of files so they can be restored if lost.
Disk defragmentation: reorganises files on a magnetic hard disk so the parts of each file are together, speeding up access.
Antivirus/security utility: detects and removes malware to keep the system secure.
Also valid: file compression (reduces file size). Markers reward a clear purpose for each named utility. Naming an application such as a word processor (not a utility) loses the mark.
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCSE Computer Science specification (from 2016) — Eduqas (2020)