A-LevelComputer ScienceSystem software9618/33 · Oct/Nov 2023 · Q75 Marks

A student buys a new computer. State one benefit to the student of a user interface and give an example. Benefit Example

(a)A student buys a new computer. State one benefit to the student of a user interface and give an example. Benefit Example[2]
(b)Two of the process states are the running state and the ready state. Identify one other process state.[1]
(c)Outline conditions under which a process could change from the running state to the ready state.[2]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] One mark for a benefit (Max 1) e.g. MP1 The user interface hides the complexities of the computer hardware/operating system from the user
[1] MP2 It provides appropriate access systems for users with differing needs
[1] MP3 Complex commands involving memory locations/buses/computer hardware/ are avoided
[1] One mark for a valid example (Max 1) e.g. Clicking on icon rather than writing code Using a graphical user interface / icons for navigation
[1] Blocked (state)
[1] MP1 When the time slice of the running process expires (round robin).
[1] MP2 ...and there is a process with a higher priority in the ready queue, the running process is pre-empted
[1] MP3 When an interrupt arrives at the CPU, (the process running on the CPU gets pre-empted).

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