Operating Systems Terminology |
| TERM |
DEFINITION |
| operating system |
The program that, after being initially loaded into a computer by a boot program, manages all of the other application programs in a computer. |
| job queue |
A data structure maintained by job scheduler software containing jobs to run. |
| FIFO |
(First in, First Out) A method of organizing, handling, and manipulating the data structure of elements in a computing system. |
| interactive processing |
The person needs to provide the computer with instructions whilst it is doing the processing. |
| time-sharing |
A method of operation in which multipleusers with different programs interact nearly simultaneously with the central processing unit (CPU) of a large-scale digital computer. |
| multiprogramming |
A rudimentary form of parallel processing in which several programs run at the same time on a uniprocessor system. |
| application software |
A type of computer program that performs a specific personal, educational, and business function. |
| system software |
A type of computer program that is designed to run a computer's hardware and application programs. |
| utility software |
A program specifically designed to help manage and tune system or application software. |
| graphical user interface (GUI) |
A computer program that enables a person to communicate with a computer through the use of symbols, visual metaphors, and pointing devices. |
| shell |
The layer of programming that understands and executes the commands a user enters. |
| kernel |
Serves as the main interface between the computer's physical hardware and the processes running on it. |
| device driver |
A specialized software that operates a particular computer-connected device |
| file manager |
A computer program that provides a user interface to manage files and folders. |
| memory manager |
The process of controlling a coordinating a computer's main memory. |
| virtual memory |
A common technique used in a computer's operating system (OS) |
| boot strapping |
To boot or to load a program into a computer using a much smaller initial program to load in the desired program. |
| ROM |
(Read Only Memory) a type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices. |
| deadlock |
A condition that may happen in a system composed of multiple processes that can access shared resources. It occurs when two or more processes are waiting for each ohter to release a source and therefore none of the processes can make any progress. |
| spooling |
The practice of holding data in temporary storage for execution by another device or program. |
| super user (or administrator) |
A special user account used for system administration. |
| multi-factor authentication |
An account login proccess that requires multiple methods of authentication from independent categories of credentials to verify a user's identity for a login or other transaction. |