System Software: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured6 marks

  A scheduling routine determines how processes are managed by the operating system. Identify two scheduling routines.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 31Structured7 marks

  Describe the process of segmentation for memory management.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured5 marks

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

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured8 marks

  Outline the purpose of lexical analysis during the compilation of a program.

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2024, paper 31Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Several syntax diagrams are shown. Complete the Backus-Naur Form (BNF) for the given syntax diagrams.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 32Structured5 marks

  Outline the reasons why an operating system may need to use virtual memory.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 32Structured5 marks

  Describe how interrupt handling is used in low-level scheduling.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Several syntax diagrams are shown. State why each number is invalid for the given syntax diagrams.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 32Structured7 marks

  The Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) expression: a b * 2 / c d / * is to be evaluated where a = 20, b = 3, c = 10 and d = 5. Show the changing contents of the following stack as the RPN expression is evaluated.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 32Structured8 marks

  State the purpose of the optimisation stage in the compilation of a program.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured5 marks

  The kernel is the central component of an Operating System (OS). Outline how the kernel of an OS acts as an interrupt handler.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured4 marks

  State the purpose of multi-tasking.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 33Structured9 marks

  Write the infix expression for this Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) expression: 5 2 – 5 4 + * 9 /

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured9 marks

  Outline the process of optimisation during the compilation of a program.

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• Question 6May/June 2023, paper 31Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Several syntax diagrams are shown. State whether each of the following passwords is valid or invalid and give a reason for your choice.

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• Question 6May/June 2025, paper 31Structured4 marksHas a diagram

  Describe the process of executing a program using an interpreter.

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• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 32Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Several syntax diagrams are shown. State whether each variable is valid or invalid and give a reason for your choice in each case.

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• Question 7May/June 2025, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Several syntax diagrams are shown. State why each passcode is invalid for the given syntax diagrams.

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• Question 6May/June 2023, paper 33Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Several syntax diagrams are shown. [Diagrams: operator, digit, symbol, letter, password] State whether each of the following passwords is valid or invalid and give a reason for your choice.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 31Structured6 marks

  Describe what is meant by multi-tasking and how it benefits process management.

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• Question 5May/June 2025, paper 32Structured7 marks

  The management and scheduling of processes are tasks carried out by an operating system. Identify three process states.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 32Structured4 marksHas a diagram

  Explain what is meant by lexical analysis during program compilation.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 32Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Several syntax diagrams are shown. State why 9K is not a valid variable for the given syntax diagrams.

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• Question 6May/June 2025, paper 33Structured6 marks

  The management and scheduling of processes are tasks carried out by an operating system. Describe one reason why scheduling is necessary in process management.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 33Structured4 marks

  Explain the process of syntax analysis during program compilation.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 33Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Several syntax diagrams are shown. State why JJ90 is not a valid passcode for the given syntax diagrams.

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