5: System Software - Operating Systems and Utility Programs Flashcards
programs, such as the operating system, that control the operation of a computer and its devices, as well as enable application software to run on the computer
system software
programs that enable users to perform specific tasks on a computer, such as writing a letter or playing a game
application software
the main component of system software that enables a computer to operate, manage its activities and the resources under its control, run application programs, and interface with the user
operating system
the essential portion, or core, of an operating system
kernel
a program that enables an operating system to communicate with a specific hardware device
device driver (AKA driver)
the capability of an operating system to run more than one program at one time
multitasking
a memory-management technique that uses hard drive space as additional RAM
virtual memory
an area in RAM or on the hard drive designated to hold data that is used by different hardware devices or programs that may operate at different speeds
buffer
the process of placing items in a buffer so the appropriate device can retrieve them when needed
buffering
a graphically based interface that allows a user to communicate instructions to the computer easily
graphical user interface (GUI)
a user interface that requires the user to communicate instructions to the computer via typed commands
command line interface
AKA desktop operating system - a type of operating system designed to be installed on a single personal computer
personal operating system
AKA network operating system - a type of operating system designed to be installed on a network server
server operating system
a type of operating system used with mobile phones and other mobile devices
mobile operating system
a type of operating system incorporated into devices, such as cars and consumer devices
embedded operating system
the operating system designed for and widely used on early IBM and IBM-compatible PCs
DOS (Disk Operating System)
the primary personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation
Windows
components of the Windows start screen interface that represent apps and are clicked to launch that app
tiles
the operating system used on Apple computers
Mac OS
an operating system developed in the late 1960s for midrange servers and mainframes - many variations of this operating system are in use today
UNIX
an open source operating system that is available without charge over the Internet and is increasingly being used with mobile devices, personal computers, servers, mainframes, and supercomputers
Linux
the version of Windows designed for mobile phones
Windows Phone
the version of Windows designed for media tablets
Windows RT
a family of operating systems based on Windows that is designed for non-personal computer devices, such as cash registers and consumer electronic devices
Windows Embedded
a Linux-based operating system designed for mobile devices and developed by the Open Handset Alliance, which is a group of companies led by Google
Android
the operating system designed for Apple mobile phones and mobile devices
iOS
the operating system designed for BlackBerry devices
BlackBerry OS
a type of software that performs a specific task, usually related to managing or maintaining a computer system
utility program
a utility program that enables the user to perform file management tasks, such as copying and deleting files
file management program
the file management program built into the Windows operating systems
File Explorer
a utility program designed to search for files on the user’s hard drive
search tool
a program that reduces the size of files, typically to be stored or transmitted more efficiently
file compression program
a duplicate copy of data or other computer content in case the original version is destroyed
backup
the means by which an operating system or any other program interacts with the user
user interface
allows multiple documents to be sent to the printer at one time and to print, one after the other, in the background while the computer and user are performing other tasks
spooling
programs that protect against someone accessing your computer via the Internet or a wireless connection
firewall programs
programs that protect against malicious software being installed on your computer
antivirus programs
