The Operating System (OS) allows the user to interact with the computer.

(a) Tick one box in each row to identify whether the feature relates to a Command Line Interface (CLI) or a Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Feature	CLI	GUI
Uses WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers)
Requires the user to type specific text commands
Consumes less RAM and processing power
Ideally used by technicians to automate maintenance tasks

(b) State two reasons why a tablet computer uses a Graphical User Interface (GUI) instead of a Command Line Interface.

The Operating System manages the movement of data in the computer.

(a) Describe the purpose of Memory Management when a user opens a large video editing application.
(b) While using the video editor, the computer runs out of RAM. The Operating System uses Virtual Memory.

i. State where Virtual Memory is physically located.
ii. Explain why using Virtual Memory makes the computer performance slower.

Multitasking allows a computer to run multiple programs.

(a) A computer has a single-core processor.
Explain how the Operating System uses Memory Management to allow multiple programs to be open at once.

(b) Explain how the Operating System uses Processor Management to make it appear that these programs are running simultaneously.

Device Drivers are a key part of the Operating System.

(a) Explain why a new printer might not work if the user just plugs it in without installing software.
(b) State two examples of peripheral devices that would require a driver to communicate with the OS.

A student is writing a report about the functions of an Operating System.
Complete the report by selecting the appropriate words from the list below.
Not all words will be used. The Operating System manages the computer hardware and software. It provides a (1) that allows the user to interact with the computer. It also provides a (2) on which application software can run.

The Operating System handles (3) Management. This involves moving data from the hard drive into RAM so that the processor can access it.

Modern Operating Systems allow (4), which creates the illusion that the computer is performing more than one task at a time. The OS allocates a small (5) to each active process and switches between them.

To communicate with external devices such as printers or mice, the Operating System uses special software called (6). These are used to control the (7). Additionally, the OS manages (8) by allowing users to create accounts and set passwords.