Embedded systems
An embedded system is a small computer inside a device, doing one job: a microwave, a car's brakes, a micro:bit. Most computers in the world are embedded.
Operating systems, applications and utilities
TheoryPresent ▶
What this lesson covers
Topic 8 Inside the computer
KS3 Computing · The CPU does the work, RAM holds what it's using now, and storage keeps everything long-term. The CPU repeats one loop: fetch, decode, execute.
Topic 10 Software
KS3 Computing · System software runs the computer. Application software does jobs for people. Programs must be translated into machine code before they run.
Computer SystemsCambridge Lower Secondary Computing 0860
You will learn to
- Explain the difference between system software and application software.
- Describe what the operating system does when you double-click a file.
- Identify a utility, like antivirus or backup, and the problem it solves.
- Compare a compiler and an interpreter, using the translators toy.
Success criteria
- I can sort software into system, application and utility.
- I can name three jobs of the operating system.
- I can explain that Python uses an interpreter, so it stops at the first error.
Key words
Say each word, then read what it means. Every one is in the glossary too.
- embedded system
- A small computer built into a device for one job.
- operating system
- System software that manages hardware and runs programs.
- drivers
- Small program that lets the operating system talk to a device.
- CPU
- Central Processing Unit: the processor that runs instructions.
- Register
- Tiny storage inside the CPU, like the PC or ACC.
- Bus
- A set of wires that carries addresses, data or control signals between parts of the computer.
- RAM
- Random Access Memory: fast, volatile working memory.
- Volatile
- Loses its contents when the power goes off.
- Cache
- Small, very fast memory on the CPU chip.
- Clock speed
- How many cycles a CPU does per second, in GHz.
- Software
- Programs: instructions that tell hardware what to do.
- Driver
- Small program that lets the operating system talk to a device.
- Open source
- Software whose code anyone can see, change and share.
- Machine code
- Binary instructions the CPU actually runs.
- Compiler
- Translates a whole program into machine code before it runs.
- Interpreter
- Translates and runs code one line at a time.
- IDE
- Integrated Development Environment: the program you code in.
The explanation
Read it here, or open the study page below to go one step at a time with things to try.
The operating system
The operating system (Windows, macOS, Android…) sits between the hardware and every app. Its jobs:
- User interface: windows, icons, menus, or typed commands.
- Memory management: which program gets which part of RAM.
- Multitasking: switches between programs thousands of times a second.
- Peripherals: uses drivers to talk to printers, keyboards, graphics cards.
- Files: folders, names, copying, deleting.
- Users: accounts, passwords, who can see what.
Study it
Open the study page and go one step at a time.
The steps for this lesson
- Topic 10, step 8: Translators (Compiler vs interpreter)
Try it
Check yourself
One question at a time. The reason shows after each answer.
Saved on this device.