Topic 4 of 8 · Form 3
Software, emerging technologies and automation
Operating systems manage memory, files, peripherals, multitasking, security, user accounts and interrupts. Application software performs user tasks. Firmware runs hardware directly.
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System and application software
Operating systems manage memory, files, peripherals, multitasking, security, user accounts and interrupts. Application software performs user tasks. Firmware runs hardware directly.
Interrupts
Signals that pause the current task for urgent processing (e.g. a key press or printer out of paper); handled by interrupt service routines.
Programming languages and translators
High-level and low-level languages; compilers, interpreters and assemblers; integrated development environments (IDEs) with editors, debuggers, error diagnostics and run-time environments.
Automated systems
Sensors, microprocessors and actuators working together in agriculture (irrigation), industry, transport, weather stations, lighting and security – advantages and disadvantages.
Robotics
Characteristics (mechanical structure, electrical components, programmability) and uses in manufacturing, medicine, farming and the home.
Artificial intelligence
Machines simulating intelligent behaviour; expert systems (knowledge base, rule base, inference engine, interface) and machine learning.
Check yourself
- Give one advantage of a compiler over an interpreter.
- What is an interrupt?
- Name the four main parts of an expert system.
Show answers
- The compiled program runs faster and can be distributed without the source code.
- A signal to the processor that requires immediate attention.
- Knowledge base, rule base, inference engine and user interface.
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