Please enable JavaScript.

Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.

1.5 systems software - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Encryption software
        
        Encryption is the process of using an algorithm to convert plaintext into ciphertext, a form that cannot be easily understood by a human or machine without knowing how to decrypt it. You can learn more about how specific encryption algorithms work by visiting the encryption topic page.
      - Defragmentation
        
        A disk defragmenter is software that looks at all of the data on a hard drive and reorganises it, so that related data is stored together.
      - Data compression
        
        Compression utility software is specifically responsible for compressing and decompressing files you have saved on your device. The main purpose of compression software is to reduce the amount of data inside files.
- - - - User interface
        
        To allow the user to interact with the computer, an operating system provides a user interface (UI). There are various forms that a UI can take.
      - Memory management and multitasking
        
        The instructions and data needed for a process have to be available in main memory. To ensure this, the OS runs a memory manager program, which:
        
        Keeps track of what portions of memory have been allocated
        
        Maps memory to each process
        
        Determines how much memory to allocate to each process
        
        Determines when a portion of memory should be available for a process
      - Peripheral management and drivers
        
        A device driver is a program that controls the operation of a specific type of device (e.g. printer, keyboard, mouse, etc.) that is part of a computer system. Manufacturers build hardware devices in different ways — a device driver provides an Interface that allows the operating system to interact with the device, which in turn allows it to interact with the software on your computer. The device drivers are installed into the operating system on demand, extending the functionality of the operating system.
      - File management
        
        Backing storage refers to any Non-volatile memory storage device. The operating system keeps a directory of where files and programs are stored so that they can be accessed quickly when they are requested and transferred into main memory. Keeping a directory also speeds up storage and saves computational resources, rather than having to search for free space every time a user wants to save a file.
      - User management
        
        The operating system supports the security of a device by ensuring that the system resources are protected from unauthorised access.
        
        Typically, an operating system will provide the users with the ability to create user accounts so that only authorised users can access the system.
        
        Users allocated with admin rights can also allocate other users specific permissions, such as which files they are able to access and modify. They are also able to allocate permissions such as the ability to add new users or to install or uninstall software.