Exam-style question
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Explain how an operating system, utility programs and libraries support the use and development of application software.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- An operating system manages the computer's hardware resources and provides services and an interface for application software.
- This allows applications to use resources such as processing, memory, storage and input/output without having to control all hardware directly themselves.
- Utility programs perform specific system-management or maintenance tasks, such as checking, protecting, organising or maintaining stored data and the computer system.
- Libraries provide pre-written, reusable code for common tasks.
Explanation
Why this works
The answer should explain the purpose of all three types of system software and distinguish their roles. Credit should be given for linking the operating system to hardware and application services, utility programs to maintenance or management tasks, and libraries to reusable code used by applications.
Common mistake
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