Working With Other Operating Systems Flashcards
Argument
A file name or directory name that indicates the files on which a command will operate.
Boot Camp
An OS X app that enables users to install Microsoft Windows and then switch between OS X and the Windows operating system.
Command Line Interpreter
A program that implements the commands entered in the text interface.
dd
A Linux command that copies and converts files to enable them to be transferred from one type of media to another.
Distribution (Distro)
A complete Linux implementation, including kernel, shell, applications, and utilities, that is packaged, distributed, and supported by a software vendor.
dumpe2fs
A Linux utility that manages extended filesystems.
Filesystem
A method that is used by an operating system to store, retrieve, organise, and manage files and directions on mass storage devices.
Filesystem Integrity
The degree of correctness and validity of a filesystem.
Finder
The file and folder management app that is included with OS X.
fsck
A Linux command that checks the integrity of a filesystem.
fstab
A configuration file that stores information about storage devices and partitions and where and how the partitions should be mounted.
Gaming PC
A computer that comes equipped with powerful graphics capabilities, fast processing capabilities, and a large amount of memory, and that is intended for use in computer gaming environments.
gdisk
A Linux partition management utility for partitions in the Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) Partition Table (GPT) format.
Gestures
Finger movements on a trackpad or mouse that enable a user to scroll, zoom, and navigate desktop, document, and application content.
GNU Parted
A Linux partition management utility for new hard disks.
GUI (Graphical User Interface)
A collection of icons, windows, and other screen elements that help users interact with an operating system.
iCloud
A cloud storage solution that is accessed by using the user’s Apple ID.
ifconfig
A Linux command for configuring network interfaces for Linux servers and workstations.
iwconfig
A Linux command for configuring wireless network interfaces for Linux servers and workstations.
Keychain
A password management system included with OS X.
Linux Distribution
A complete Linux implementation, including kernel, shell, applications, and utilities, that is packaged, distributed, and supported by a software vendor.
Local Snapshot
In OS X, a copy of altered files that is stored on the startup drive until the Time Machine backup drive is available.
Manual Pages
A series of pages that contain the complete documentation specific to every Linux command. Also referred to as man pages.
Mission Control
A feature of OS X that allows users to use multiple Spaces as if they were multiple desktops.
mkfs
A command used to build a Linux filesystem on a device such as a hard disk partition.
OpenSSH
An open source implementation of the SSH protocol that is included with most Linux distributions
OS X
The proprietary operating system developed by Apple Computing, Inc. and deployed on all Apple computers.
Partition Management
The process of creating, destroying, and manipulating partitions to optimise system performance.
Partprobe
A Linux program that updates the kernel with partition table changes.
Process Table
A record that summarises the current running processes on a system.
ReiserFS
A filesystem that handles small files more efficiently and faster than ext2 and ext3.
Remote Disc
A feature of OS X that enables users to access external drives or share discs from another computer.
RPM (Red Hat Package Manager)
A tool that provides a standard software installation mechanism, information about installed software packages, and a method for uninstalling and upgrading existing software packages.
sfdisk
A Linux partition management utility.
Shell
A component that interacts directly with users and functions as the command interpreter for the Linux operating system.
Space
In OS X, a virtual desktop consisting of a collection of related windows, as created and managed by Mission Control.
sudo (Super User Do)
A Linux command that enables users to run programs with the security privileges of the root user.
Swap
A portion of the hard disk that is used in situations when Linux runs out of physical memory and needs more of it.
Time Machine
An OS X application that provides automated file backups.
VNC (Virtual Network Computing)
A platform-independent system through which a user can control a remote system.
X Forwarding
A mechanism by which programs are run on one machine and the X window output is displayed on another machine.
XFS
A 64-bit, high-performance journalling filesystem that provides fast recovery and can handle large files efficiently.
