Chapter 5 Flashcards
Operating system
software that provides an
environment in which applications can run and provides
an interface between hardware and human operators.
GUI
graphical user interface.
CLI
command line interface.
Icon
small picture or symbol used to represent, for
example, an application on a screen.
WIMP
windows, icons, menu and pointing device.
Memory management
– part of the operating system
that controls the main memory.
Memory optimization
function of memory
management that determines how memory is allocated
and deallocated.
Memory organization
function of memory
management that determines how much memory is
allocated to an application.
Security management
– part of the operating system
that ensures the integrity, confidentiality and availability
of data.
Memory protection
function of memory management
that ensures two competing applications cannot use
same memory locations at the same time.
Process management
part of the operating system
that involves allocation of resources and permits the
sharing and exchange of data.
Hardware management
part of the operating system
that controls all input/output devices connected to
a computer (made up of sub-management systems
such as printer management, secondary storage
management, and so on).
Device driver
software that communicates with the
operating system and translates data into a format
understood by the device.
Utility program
parts of the operating system which
carry out certain functions, such as virus checking,
defragmentation or hard disk formatting.
Disk formatter
utility that prepares a disk to allow
data/files to be stored and retrieved.
Disk defragmenter
utility that reorganises the
sectors on a hard disk so that files can be stored in
contiguous data blocks.
Disk content analysis software
utility that checks
disk drives for empty space and disk usage by reviewing
files and folders.
Disk compression
software that compresses data
before storage on an HDD.
Back-up utility
software that makes copies of files on
another portable storage device.
Translator
the systems software used to translate
a source program written in any language other than
machine code.
Compiler
a computer program that translates a
source program written in a high-level language to
machine code or p-code, object code.
Interpreter
a computer program that analyses and
executes a program written in a high-level language line
by line.
Syntax error
an error in the grammar of a source
program.
Logic error
an error in the logic of a program.
