Monthly Archives: February 2014

The Operating System

INFO 1 - Topic 7: Software
  • The main purpose of the operating system is to allow the applications software to interact with the computer hardware
  • Allows the computer hardware to behave in a predictable way so that the applications software can use it

Tasks it performs:

  • Diagnostic checks: performs these checks when the computer is booted up
  • controls the receipt of input devices such as the keyboard and mouse
  • controls output: sends information to the screen or other output devices
  • memory management: controls flow of data to and from the main processor
  • works out where to store the data on the hard disk drive
  • deals with security issues such as usernames and passwords

Brands of systems software:

  • Linux
  • Unix
  • Mac OS-X
  • Windows
Working on Implementation
As you work through the implementation you should check your work is satisfying the designs laid down by your client and also what you produce is workable in the user’s environment. Much of this comes under the banner of testing and therefore needs to be placed in your testing folder.
Any change you make to the design of your solution should be noted as this forms part of the testing of your solution.
During the implementation process, it is useful to produce evidence such as:
  • Screenshots
  • Printouts
  • Annotated printouts
  • Sound recordings (in a suitable format such as; mp3, wav, m3u etc.)
  • Photographs or images
  • Text
  • Videos (in a suitable format such as; mp4, avi, mkv etc.)
Exam Tips
  • Always make sure that what you implement is what was set out in the design stage.

  • If you need to make any changes then this is alright but you must explain why the change to the design was needed.
  • Get into the habit of writing clear explanations as to what you are doing.
  • You will have to produce explanations as part of the exam; show your explanations to others and see if they can understand them.

What is Implementation?

The process of producing the working version of the solution to the problem as identified by the client.