A school purchased a desktop computer with the specifications below for administrative purposes - NSC Information Technology - Question 2 - 2017 - Paper 2

1. User Interface: An operating system provides a user interface (UI), which allows users to interact with the computer.
2. Resource Management: It manages all hardware and software resources, including CPU, memory, and storage.
3. Task Management: The OS manages the execution of applications, facilitating multitasking by allowing multiple processes to run simultaneously.

(a) Multitasking:

Multitasking allows multiple programs to run at the same time by allocating CPU time to each process in a way that gives the impression that they are simultaneously executing.

(b) Multithreading:

Multithreading involves splitting a single program into multiple threads, allowing independent execution of different parts of the program, which enhances performance and resource utilization.

Quad Core refers to the processor having four independent cores on a single chip, which allows it to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

1. Cost: RAM is more expensive to produce than secondary storage like HDD or SSD, making it cost prohibitive to equip computers with large amounts of RAM.
2. Physical Limitations: The number of RAM slots on the motherboard is limited, restricting the maximum installable memory beyond a certain point.

The function of a router is to connect multiple devices to a network, providing access to the Internet and facilitating data transmission between devices.

The wireless communication technology provided as part of the package is LTE/Wi-Fi.

A dedicated video card has its own GPU and memory, allowing it to handle graphics rendering independently from the CPU. This offloads processing tasks, enabling the CPU to focus on other operations, thus improving overall system performance.

Cache memory is high-speed memory that stores frequently accessed data and instructions. By providing the CPU with quicker access to this information, cache memory reduces latency and improves processing speed, allowing for more efficient execution of tasks.

The plug-and-play process allows the operating system to automatically detect newly connected devices, such as flash drives or printers, and install the necessary drivers to make them functional without user intervention.

The device sends a hardware interrupt signal (IRQ) to the CPU, indicating that it needs processing time or user interaction.

The advantage of file synchronising services is that they allow users to access the latest version of files across multiple devices, ensuring consistency and availability of important data regardless of the device being used.

Indexing of files means creating an index that includes the text and metadata of the files, enhancing search capabilities. This allows the system to locate and retrieve files quickly, improving overall efficiency when searching for documents.

The operating system on a mobile device is stored in non-volatile memory, typically in flash storage.

1. Limited Resources: Software must be optimized for the limited processing power and memory available on mobile devices compared to desktop systems.
2. User Interface Design: Developing a user-friendly interface that is intuitive for touch navigation is crucial for enhancing user experience.