Topic study hub
Hardware and software
Official AQA 7517 section 4.6.1.
0
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
88 min
Study time
AqaA LevelComputer ScienceFundamentals of computer systems
Choose a revision tool
Start revising Hardware and software
Syllabus checklist
What you need to know
0 objective pages available
Relationship between hardware and software1 objectives
- Relationship between hardware and software: Understand the relationship between hardware and software and be able to define the terms: • hardware • software. 72
Classification of software1 objectives
- Classification of software: Explain what is meant by: • system software • application software. Understand the need for, and attributes of, different types of software.
System software1 objectives
- System software: Understand the need for, and functions of the following system software: • operating systems (OSs) • utility programs • libraries • translators (compiler, assembler, interpreter).
Role of an operating system (OS)1 objectives
- Role of an operating system (OS): Understand that a role of the operating system is to hide the complexities of the hardware. Know that the OS handles resource management, managing hardware to allocate processors, memories and I/O devices among competing processes.
Key terms
HardwareSoftwareSystem softwareApplication softwareTranslatorOperating systemResource management
Exam tips
- Define both terms before explaining the relationship: When asked about hardware and software, state that hardware is physical and software consists of instructions or programs. Then explain that software provides instructions for hardware to carry out.
- Link classification to purpose: When explaining a classification, state both what the software does and why that makes it system or application software.
Common mistakes
- Confusing a program with hardware: A program is software because it consists of instructions. Hardware refers to the physical parts of the system.
- Confusing purpose with classification: Classify software by its purpose: software that supports computer operation is system software, while software that performs a particular user task is application software.
Practice preview
Continue by objective
Objectives are grouped by subtopic so students can jump straight to the exact skill they want to revise.
Related topics