Term
| Application Programming Interface (API) |
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Definition
Functions or programming features in an operating system that programmers can use for network links, links to messaging services,
or interfaces to other systems. |
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Term
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Definition
A word processor, spreadsheet, database, computer game, or other
type of application that a user runs on a computer. It consists of
computer code that is formatted so that the computer or its operating system can translate that code into a specific task, |
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Term
| Basic input/output system (BIOS) |
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Definition
| Low-level program code that conducts basic hardware and software communications inside the computer. It resides between the computer hardware and higher level operating system. |
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Term
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Definition
A computing style frequently employed by large systems. A request for a
series of processes is submitted to the computer; information is displayed or printed when the process is complete. |
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Term
| Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC) |
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Definition
An English-like computer
programming language originally designed as a teaching tool, but which evolved into a
useful and relatively powerful development language. |
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Term
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Definition
A large box with slots for blade servers and the box provides cooling
fans, electrical power, connection to a shared monitor and pointing device, and even network connectivity. |
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Term
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Definition
| A server unit that looks like a card that fits into a blade enclosure. They are intended to save space. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer hardware and software design in which different portions of an application execute on different computers, or on different components of a single computer. |
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Term
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Definition
A computing technology that provides a host of scalable Web-based
applications and services over the Internet or a private network that are used by clients through Web browsers. |
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Term
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Definition
| Instructions written in a computer programming language. |
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Term
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Definition
| An interface from which a user can enter commands. |
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Term
| Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) memory |
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Definition
| A type of NVRAM that uses a low-power technology and when employed to store the BIOS in a computer, it is powered by a small battery. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer hardware and software design in which the operating system temporarily hands off control to an application and waits for the application to return control to the operating system. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer operating system that typically is installed on a PC type of computer, usually used by one person at a time, that may or may not be connected to a network. |
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Term
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Definition
Computer software designed to provide the operating system and application
software access to specific computer hardware. |
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Term
| Graphical User Interface (GUI) |
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Definition
| An interface between the user and an operating system, which presents information in an intuitive graphical format that employs multiple colors, figures, icons, windows, toolbars, and other features. Usually deployed with a pointing device to make users more efficient. |
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Term
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Definition
| The physical devices in a computer that you can touch (if you have the cover off), such as the CPU, circuit boards (cards), disk drives, monitor, and modem. |
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Term
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Definition
| The first is information taken in by a computer device to handle or process, such as characters typed at a keyboard. The second is information sent out by a computer device after that information is handled or processed, such as displaying the characters typed at the keyboard on the monitor. |
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Term
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Definition
| An essential set of programs and computer code built into a computer operating system to control processor, disk, memory, and other functions central to the basic operation of a computer. The kernel communicates with the BIOS, device drivers, and the API to perform these functions. It also interfaces with the resource managers. |
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Term
| Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) |
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Definition
| The first widely distributed operating system for microcomputers, created by Tim Patterson and a team, including Bill Gates, at Microsoft. This is generic computer code used to control many basic computer hardware and software functions. |
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Term
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Definition
| A technique that allows a computer to run two or more programs at the same time. |
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Term
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Definition
An issuance of UNIX or Linux that is based on a standard kernel, but that
also has customizations added by a particular private or commercial development group. |
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Term
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Definition
| Running several program processes or parts (threads) at the same time. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer hardware and software system designed to service multiple users who access the computer’s hardware and software applications simultaneously. |
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Term
| Nonvolatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) |
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Definition
| Computer memory that does not lose its contents when the power is turned off. One way to ensure non-volatile memory is by connecting the memory to a battery. |
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Term
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Definition
| Computer software code that interfaces with user application software and the computer’s BIOS to allow the applications to interact with the computer hardware. |
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Term
| Power-On Self Test (POST) |
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Definition
| Tests, such as memory and hardware component tests, that are run by the BIOS when a computer first starts and that must complete before the operating system is loaded. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer hardware and software design for multitasking of applications in which the operating system retains control of the computer at all times. |
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Term
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Definition
| CPU boxes mounted in racks that can hold multiple servers, each with its own power cord and network connection—and that often share one monitor and pointing device. |
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Term
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Definition
| Memory that contains information that is not erased when the power is removed from the memory hardware. |
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Term
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Definition
| An operating system that interacts directly with the user and responds in real time with required information. |
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Term
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Definition
| Programs that manage computer memory and CPU use. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer processing style in which each operation is submitted, acted upon, and the results displayed before the next process is started. Compare to batch processing. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer operating system usually found on more powerful PC-based computers than those used for desktop operating systems, which is connected to a network, and that can act in many roles to enable multiple users to access information. |
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Term
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Definition
| An interface to enable humans to interact with an operating system kernel. It enables the user to execute commands. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer hardware and software design that can manage only a single task at a time. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer hardware and software system that enables only one user to access its resources at a particular time. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer that has extreme processing power and speed to handle complex computations that are beyond the reach of other computers. |
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Term
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Definition
| A hybrid between single-tasking and multitasking that permits the user or application software to switch among multiple single-tasking operations. |
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Term
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Definition
| A central computer system, such as a mainframe, that is used by multiple users and applications simultaneously. |
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