Eduqas A500QS 2.7: The need for different types of software systems and their attributes
The free BugBot lessons that teach this point, a robot to try it on, and the past-paper questions that test it.
What it covers
At GCSE you met the operating system and utility software (F9.9) and wrote your own modules and used libraries (F4.5). At A level you need to classify software precisely, say what each kind is for, and argue which kind of software, and which kind of licence, suits a given situation. This lesson sorts out the vocabulary the rest of the module depends on.
- Two classes of software
- System software
- Application software
- Open source and closed source
Or do it in the simulator, with tasks that mark themselves
Lessons that teach it
- A10.1 Classifying software Operating systems, software and translators
System and application software, utilities, libraries and translators, and open versus closed source. - A10.6 Types of operating system and virtual machines Operating systems, software and translators
Multi-tasking, multi-user, real-time, embedded and distributed systems, and a bytecode virtual machine that drives the robot.
Try it on a robot
The task from A10.1 Classifying software, running here. Change the program and press Run.
The specification is Eduqas's own document; this page says which of our lessons teach point 2.7 and is not endorsed by the board.