The role of the operating system and utilities, general-purpose, special-purpose and integrated application software, and the differences between off-the-shelf, custom-written and customised software.
5 narrated scenes. Press play, listen and read along — the points appear as they are explained. Use ‹ Prev / Next › or the scene bar to jump to any scene.
Hardware without software is just an expensive box. This lesson shows what each kind of software does and how a business decides whether to buy it, order it or adapt it.
Narration uses your device’s built-in voice. No sound? Switch to “Captions only” — the captions advance on their own.
Copy these into your notebook in your own words — that is how they stick.
Operating system + utility programs; runs the computer.
Manages processor, memory, files, devices, users and the interface.
Antivirus, backup, defragmenter, compression, disk clean-up.
Word processor, spreadsheet, database: many tasks.
Payroll, reservations: one job.
Several applications bundled, sharing data.
Ready-made, cheap, may not fit exactly.
Built for one client / off-the-shelf adapted.
3 quick games on this lesson. Earn XP and badges as you play — your best score for each game is saved. Games are for practice and do not change your exam readiness. More games in the Information Technology Arcade.
8 items modelled on real CSEC Paper 1 questions. Choose one answer for each, then check. Aim for 80% or better. Work each item on paper first.
Write full answers, then reveal the mark scheme and tick the points you earned (14 marks in total). Show all your working — method marks count. Your answers are saved on this device.
Question 1 [14 marks]
A supermarket chain wants software to keep stock records and produce weekly reports.
(a) (a) Distinguish between system software and application software. [3]
(b) (b) State two functions of an operating system. [2]
(c) (c) Name two utility programs the supermarket should use and state the purpose of each. [4]
(d) (d) Compare buying off-the-shelf software with having software custom-written for the chain. [4]
(e) (e) Give one example of general-purpose software the office staff will use. [1]
Find these in your own past-paper booklets for extra timed practice. Items above are written in the style of these papers; any adapted from a specific question say so.