Chap 9 Flashcards
System software
the software that runs a computer, including the operating system.
Operating system (OS)
a set of programs that coordinate all the activities
of computer or mobile device hardware
The operating system and utility programs
control the behind-the-scenes operations
of a computer or mobile device
graphical user interface (GUI)
is a collective term for all the ways you interact
with the device.
* A GUI controls how you interact with menus,
programs and apps, and visual images such
as icons, by touching, pointing, tapping, or
clicking buttons and other objects to issue
commands.
icon
a small picture that represents a program, file, or hardware device
A button
a graphic that you click to execute commands you need to work with an app, such as on a toolbar, taskbar, or the ribbon.
menu
a list of related items, including folders, applications, and commands.
shortcut menu
a list of frequently used commands that relate to
an object.
dialog box
which is a box with controls that lets you tell the operating system how you want to complete a command.
Dialog box controls may include:
✔Option buttons: round buttons that present one choice; they are also called radio buttons.
✔Check boxes: square boxes that present a yes/no choice and display a check mark or x when selected.
✔List boxes: lists of options that appear when you click arrows in a dialog box; some list boxes allow you to make multiple selections
How an operating system handles programs directly
affects your productivity
– Single tasking and multitasking
– Foreground and background
– Single user and multiuser
A network administrator uses the server operating
system to:
– Add and remove users, computers, and other devices
– Configure the network, install software and administer network security
A user account
enables a use to sign in to, or access resources on, a network or computer
– A user name, or user ID, identifies a specific user
– A password is a private combination of characters
associated with the user name
Types of Operating Systems
-Servers
-Desktop
-Mobile
A desktop operating system
is a complete operating system that works on desktops, laptops, and some tablets
– Windows
– macOS
– UNIX
– Linux
– Chrome OS
PC (personal computer)
sometimes used to describe a computer that
runs the Windows operating system.
UNIX (pronounced “you-nix”) i
a multitasking operating system developed in the
early 1970s by scientists at Bell Laboratories.
Linux (pronounced LINN-uks)
introduced in 1991, is a popular multitasking UNIXbased operating system that runs on a variety of personal computers, servers, and devices.
latest versions of Windows offer these features
– Uses tiles to access apps
– Includes the desktop interface
– Support for input via touch, mouse, and keyboard
– Email app, calendar app, and browser (Edge) included
– Photos, files, and settings you can sync with OneDrive
– Enhanced security through an antivirus program,
firewall, and automatic updates
– Windows Store offers additional applications for
purchase
Chrome OS
Chrome OS is called a Chromebook
introduced by Google, is a Linux-based operating system designed to work primarily with web apps.
* Apps are available through the Chrome Web Store, and data is stored on Google Drive.
server operating system
a multiuser operating system because it
controls a single, centralized server computer that supports many users on networked computers.
* Windows Server
* macOS Server
* UNIX
* Linux
The operating system on mobile devices
mobile operating system and resides on firmware
– Android
– iOS
– Windows (Mobile Edition)
mobile operating system
- has features similar to those of a desktop operating
system but is focused on the needs of a mobile user and the capabilities of the device. - works especially well with mobile device
features, such as touch screens, voice
recognition, and Wi-Fi networks - optimized to perform functions common to mobile
users.
desktop operating system
may use menus, windows, and bars to
run apps and to access features within apps.
mobile operating system
may have one program running at a time
with others running in the background, or it may provide a means for multiple apps to run simultaneously on the screen
use technologies such as cellular,
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC to communicate with other devices
and to connect to the Internet
Closed-source programs
have standard features and can be
customized only by using the operating system’s utilities.
Microsoft Windows and macOS are examples of closed-source operating systems
device-dependent program
is one that runs only on a specific type
or make of computer or mobile device
Proprietary software
is privately owned and limited to a specific
vendor or computer or device model.
cross-platform application
is an application that runs the same
way on multiple operating systems.
Open-source programs and apps
have no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification and redistribution
A file
a collection of information stored
on your computer, such as a text
document, spreadsheet, photo, or song.
file format
determines the type or types of programs and apps that you can use to open and display or work with a
file.
A file extension
a three- or four-letter
sequence, preceded by a period, at the end
of a file name that identifies the file as a
particular type of document, such as .docx
(Microsoft Word document), or .jpg (a type
of graphic file).
cloud storage
becomes more prevalent and users rely more on
their mobile devices, some of these tasks may not be ones you have encountered before
File size
usually is measured in kilobytes (KB) (thousands of bytes of data), megabytes (MB) (millions of bytes of data), or gigabytes (GB) (billions of bytes of data)
You often need to compress files and folders before you share or transfer them
file-naming conventions
When you save a file, you must give it a name that follows rules
library
a special folder that catalogues specific files and folders in a central location, regardless of where the items are actually stored on your device
are helpful to find all files of a certain type, no matter
where they are located on your computer or device.
Within your file manager, you can move, copy, and delete folders. Moving or copying a folder affects all the contents of the folder.
RAM resources
an operating system keeps track of the
apps, processes, and other tasks the system performs.
* You can open your computer or device’s version of the task manager
to view running programs and see the percentage of RAM being used.
* You can shut down programs and apps in the task manager to free up
RAM.
