IGCSE Computer Science 0478 · Topic 4

Software: past paper questions

122 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Give, Describe, Explain, State, Identify

Real questions on software

The newest 20 of 122 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0478/11 · May/June 2026 · Q4d[4]
One function performed by the operating system is managing peripherals. A role of this function is to install the drivers needed for the optical mouse. Complete the table with the missing functions and roles of an operating system. function role It makes sure that two processes do not access the same memory location at...
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0478/11 · May/June 2026 · Q5d[4]
A translator is one function of an IDE. Identify two other functions of an IDE. State the purpose of each function. function function purpose purpose
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0478/12 · May/June 2026 · Q7a[1]
State what is meant by a low-level language.
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0478/12 · May/June 2026 · Q7b[2]
Identify two examples of a low-level language.
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0478/12 · May/June 2026 · Q7c[1]
Give an example of a translator that can be used for a low-level language.
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0478/12 · May/June 2026 · Q7d[2]
State two reasons why the programmer chose a low-level language instead of a high-level language to write the program.
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0478/12 · May/June 2026 · Q7e[3]
The programmer uses an integrated development environment (IDE) to write the program. Identify three terms from the given list that are functions of an IDE. auto-correction binary converter internet protocol (IP) address media access control (MAC) address machine independence prettyprint protocol identifier run-time en...
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0478/13 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[4]
Explain two differences between a high-level language and a low-level language.
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0478/12 · February/March 2026 · Q8a[2]
Explain how system software is different to application software.
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0478/12 · February/March 2026 · Q8b[2]
One type of system software is an operating system. One function of an operating system is to manage peripherals. Describe the operating system function managing peripherals.
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0478/12 · February/March 2026 · Q8c[6]
Complete the table by giving two examples of software security solutions and explain how each protects a computer against threats. security solution explanation
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0478/12 · February/March 2026 · Q8d[2]
Define the terms firmware and operating system. firmware operating system
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0478/12 · February/March 2026 · Q9b(i)[2]
Describe what is meant by a high‑level language.
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0478/12 · February/March 2026 · Q9b(ii)[3]
The programmer uses a compiler during the development of the program. Describe the benefits of using a compiler when developing the program.
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0478/11 · October/November 2025 · Q4d(i)[1]
State what is meant by a high-level language. (i)
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0478/11 · October/November 2025 · Q4d(ii)[2]
One benefit of using a high-level language is that the code is easy to debug. Give two other benefits of using a high-level language. (ii)
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0478/11 · October/November 2025 · Q4d(iii)[1]
One drawback of using a high-level language is that it must be converted to a low-level language before it can be run. Give one other drawback of using a high-level language.
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0478/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[1]
An interrupt is sent to the CPU every time a key is pressed on the keyboard. Give the name of this type of interrupt.
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0478/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(ii)[1]
Give the name of the program that services the interrupt.
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0478/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(iii)[1]
Give one other function of an operating system.
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What examiners said

Comprehensive responses • Some candidates gave a suitable description of system software. • Many candidates gave a suitable description of application software. Limited responses • Some candidates described system software as performing tasks for the computer which required additional detail as to what the system software provides for the computer because all software instructs the computer to pe...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0478/12 Q8(a) (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Some candidates were able to identify tasks performed. • Some candidates described how the operating system managed the peripherals using device drivers. Limited responses • Many candidates listed, or described, other operating system tasks. For example, that it provides file management and memory management, instead of focusing only on the task of managing peripherals....
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0478/12 Q8(b) (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Many candidates identified one or two security solutions. • Some candidates explained how their solution protects a computer, describing the function of the solution and what it protects the computer against. Limited responses • Some candidates required additional detail in their explanations, for example stating that a firewall blocks some incoming transmissions, requir...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0478/12 Q8(c) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise software

In the syllabus

1 0478.4.1.01 — Describe the difference between system •

Describe the difference between system •
System software provides the services that the
computer requires, including operating system
and utility software • Application software provides the services that the user requires
Describe the role and basic functions of an • Including:
– managing files – handling interrupts – providing an interface – managing peripherals and drivers – managing memory – managing multitasking – providing a platform for running applications – providing system security – managing user accounts
Understand how hardware, firmware and •
Applications are run on the operating system
• The operating system is run on the firmware
• The bootloader (firmware) is run on the hardware
Describe the role and operation of interrupts • Including: – how an interrupt is generated – how it is handled using an interrupt service routine – what happens as a result of the interrupts •
Software interrupts include division by zero and two processes trying to access the same memory location •

2 0478.4.1.02 — System software provides the services that the

System software provides the services that the

3 0478.4.1.03 — computer requires, including operating system

computer requires, including operating system

4 0478.4.1.04 — and utility software • Application software provides the services that the user requires

and utility software • Application software provides the services that the user requires

5 0478.4.1.05 — Describe the role and basic functions of an • Including:

Describe the role and basic functions of an • Including:

6 0478.4.1.06 — – managing files – handling interrupts – providing an interface – managing peripherals and drivers – managing memory – managing multitasking

– managing files – handling interrupts – providing an interface – managing peripherals and drivers – managing memory – managing multitasking – providing a platform for running applications – providing system security – managing user accounts

7 0478.4.1.07 — Understand how hardware, firmware and •

Understand how hardware, firmware and •

8 0478.4.1.08 — Applications are run on the operating system

Applications are run on the operating system

9 0478.4.1.09 — • The operating system is run on the firmware

• The operating system is run on the firmware

10 0478.4.1.10 — • The bootloader (firmware) is run on the hardware

• The bootloader (firmware) is run on the hardware

11 0478.4.1.11 — Describe the role and operation of interrupts • Including: – how an interrupt is generated – how it is handled using an interrupt service ro

Describe the role and operation of interrupts • Including: – how an interrupt is generated – how it is handled using an interrupt service routine – what happens as a result of the interrupts •

12 0478.4.1.12 — Software interrupts include division by zero and two processes trying to access the same memory location •

Software interrupts include division by zero and two processes trying to access the same memory location •

13 0478.4.1.13 — Hardware interrupts include pressing a key on the keyboard and moving the mouse

Hardware interrupts include pressing a key on the keyboard and moving the mouse

14 0478.4.2.01 — Explain what is meant by a high-level language •

Explain what is meant by a high-level language •
Advantages and disadvantages include:
– ease of reading and writing code,
e.g. low-level is hard to read – ease of debugging code – machine independence – direct manipulation of hardware
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a • Including an understanding that an interpreter is
mostly used when developing a program and a compiler is used to translate the final program
Explain the role of an IDE in writing program • Including:
– code editors – run-time environment – translators – error diagnostics – auto-completion – auto-correction – prettyprint

15 0478.4.2.02 — Advantages and disadvantages include:

Advantages and disadvantages include:

16 0478.4.2.03 — – ease of reading and writing code,

– ease of reading and writing code,

17 0478.4.2.04 — e.g. low-level is hard to read – ease of debugging code – machine independence – direct manipulation of hardware

e.g. low-level is hard to read – ease of debugging code – machine independence – direct manipulation of hardware

18 0478.4.2.05 — Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a • Including an understanding that an interpreter is

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a • Including an understanding that an interpreter is

19 0478.4.2.06 — mostly used when developing a program and a compiler is used to translate the final program

mostly used when developing a program and a compiler is used to translate the final program

20 0478.4.2.07 — Explain the role of an IDE in writing program • Including:

Explain the role of an IDE in writing program • Including:

21 0478.4.2.08 — – code editors – run-time environment – translators – error diagnostics – auto-completion – auto-correction – prettyprint

– code editors – run-time environment – translators – error diagnostics – auto-completion – auto-correction – prettyprint

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