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GCSE Computer Science/Paper 1/Operating Systems

User interface, Memory management and multitasking, Peripheral management and drivers, User management, File management

The purpose and functionality of operating systems: User interface, Memory management and multitasking, Peripheral management and drivers, User management, File management

1.5.1 Operating Systems

Practise exam questions

Operating Systems — Note 1 of 6

What you need to know

An operating system (OS) is software that manages and controls the computer. Without an OS, the computer would not be usable. Key functions include providing a user interface, managing memory, peripherals, users, and files.

What to know

  • Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
  • Five key functions: user interface, memory management/multitasking, peripheral management/drivers, user management, file management.
  • Without an operating system, users could not interact with or use the computer.

Key terms

Operating System

Software that manages and controls the computer's hardware and software resources, providing an interface for the user.

Exam technique

  • Tip:Be able to explain ALL FIVE functions of an OS. Each one is a separate exam point.
  • Example:Table question — 'Moves data from secondary storage to RAM' = Memory management. 'Allows the user to create, name and delete folders' = File management. 'Reading data from a scanner' = Peripheral management. 'Changing a password' = User management.

Ready to test yourself?

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Revise another OCR GCSE topic: Utility software

Operating Systems

Note 1 of 6

  1. 1User interface, Memory management and multitasking, Peripheral management and drivers, User management, File management
  2. 2User interface
  3. 3Memory management and multitasking
  4. 4Peripheral management and drivers
  5. 5User management
  6. 6File management
Topic overview

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