What is utility software, and what do common utility programs do?
The purpose of utility software and the function of common utilities, including antivirus, backup, file compression and disk defragmentation.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Computer Science Unit 1 content on utility software, covering what utility software is and the purpose of common utilities such as antivirus and other security tools, backup software, file compression and disk defragmentation, and why they help keep a computer running well.
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What this topic is asking
WJEC wants you to know what utility software is and the purpose of common utilities such as antivirus, backup, file compression and disk defragmentation. This is part of the Software content in Unit 1 of WJEC GCSE Computer Science (3500).
What utility software is
Antivirus and security utilities
Backup utilities
File compression and disk defragmentation
Try this
Q1. State the purpose of antivirus software. [1 mark]
- Cue. To detect, quarantine and remove malware to keep the computer and its data safe.
Q2. Give one reason a backup should be kept in a separate location from the original. [1 mark]
- Cue. So the data survives events like fire, theft or a failed drive that would also destroy the original.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC-style Unit 14 marksDescribe the purpose of two utility programs from: antivirus software, backup software, file compression software and disk defragmentation software.Show worked answer →
A Unit 1 utilities question. Award up to 2 marks for each of two utilities described. Antivirus scans the computer for malware (viruses and other malicious software), detecting, quarantining and removing threats to keep the system safe. Backup software makes copies of files (often automatically and to a separate location) so data can be restored if the original is lost, damaged or corrupted. File compression reduces the size of files so they take less storage and are faster to transfer. Disk defragmentation reorganises the scattered parts of files on a magnetic hard disk so that each file is stored together, which speeds up access. Markers reward two clearly described purposes. A common error is to confuse backup with compression, or to describe defragmentation as deleting files.
WJEC-style Unit 13 marksExplain what disk defragmentation does and why it can improve the performance of a magnetic hard disk.Show worked answer →
A Unit 1 explain question. Over time, as files are saved, edited and deleted, the parts of a file become scattered (fragmented) across different areas of a magnetic hard disk (1 mark). Defragmentation reorganises the data so that the parts of each file are stored together in order (1 mark). This means the read/write head has to move less to read a file, so files can be accessed more quickly and the disk performs better (1 mark). Markers reward fragmentation, rearranging file parts together and reduced head movement. A common error is to say defragmentation deletes files or frees up space, when it reorganises them. Note that solid-state drives do not need defragmentation.
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