GCSE > Computer Science > CIE > GCSE Computer Science > COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Operating systems and utility software > Functions of operating systems
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COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Encoding and compression

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Network topologies

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Wired and wireless networks, protocols, and layers

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Threats to computer systems and networks

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Operating systems and utility software

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Impact of technology on society

ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING: Types of data

ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING: Producing robust programs

ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING: Designing, creating, and refining algorithms

ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING: Programming languages

ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Memory management and multitasking:
    • Allocates RAM to different applications.
    • Ensures processes don’t interfere with each other’s memory.
    • Enables multitasking by allowing multiple programs to run at once. 
    • Controls which process gets CPU time and how much.
  • User interface (UI): allows the user to interact with the computer. There are two types of UI: 
    • Command Line Interface (CLI): text-based (e.g. Command Prompt, Terminal)
    • Graphical User Interface (GUI): visual (e.g. WIMP – Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointer) 
  • Peripheral management (device management):
    • Manages external devices like printers, keyboards, and webcams.
    • Uses device drivers to communicate with hardware.
    • Keeps track of device connections and ensures correct data transfer. 
  • User management:
    • Controls which users can access the system and applies access rights (e.g. admin vs. standard user).
    • Each user has a username and password, and associated personal settings, files, and apps. User Access Control prevents unauthorised actions (like installing apps). 
  • File management:
    • Manages files on secondary storage (e.g. hard drive, SSD). 
    • Handles actions like naming, saving, moving, and organising into folders, as well as tracking file locations, types, and permissions.
    • Ensures only authorised users can read (open), write (edit), and execute (run) files.

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