Operating systems - Answers
Q1. A peripheral is any piece of hardware you can plug into the CPU, except you usually connect something to the CPU by using one of the 'ports' available on the case of a computer e.g. the USB port. Examples include a pen drive, a printer, a microphone, a webcam, graphics tablet, camera, MP3 player and so on.
Q2. The OS detects that a peripheral has been connected and attempts to load up the software (called a 'driver') for that peripheral. The driver is a program that is designed to allow the peripheral to work with the operating system. If it can't find it, the OS will inform the user and advise about searching for and downloading the correct driver, either automatically from the Internet or manually from a CD.
Q3. The operating system when the power is switched off a computer is on the hard drive.
Q4. A 'user interface' is the way that a computer allows a person to access it, and usually includes the monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers etc.
Q5. iOS, Linux, Ubuntu, Android, Chromium OS etc. Search the Internet for lists of hundreds of different OSs.
Q6. An operating system controls access to a computer for different users by setting up login and password accounts for them.
Q7. Memory management is the term used to describe the operating system managing where programs and files are loaded into RAM so that they don't interfere with each other.
Q8. What operating system does your phone use? What about your computer at home? If you have a tablet computer, what OS does that use? - each student to investigate.
Q9. Paid e.g. Windows Free e.g. Linux
Q10. Open source software means that the software can be modified and distributed freely, without cost.
Extension work
a) The kernel is the code for the central part of an operating system. OSs tend to grow and develop as extra functions and features are added but the central, key part of the software stays (relatively) constant.
b) The Windows V Linux debate: Windows cost but Linux OSs are usually free. Windows more familiar and easier to use? Linux has a reputation for being solid, reliable and rarely crashing whereas Windows has more issues in this department, perhaps. There is a much larger selection of software available for Windows but can cost. Linux has fewer titles but more open source. Linux is very secure but Windows needs constant protection and updates. Linux is open source whereas Windows is not.