Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Operating Systems and Utility Programs
From Discovering Computers 2012 Shelly/Vermaat Chapter 8
72
Computer Science
Undergraduate 1
07/15/2013

Additional Computer Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
system software
Definition
programs that control/maintain operations of computer/its devices(called operating systems/utility programs)
Term
operating system (OS)
Definition
a set of programs containing instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources
Term
booting
Definition
process of starting or restarting a computer
Term
cold boot
Definition
turning on a computer that has been powered off completely
Term
warm boot
Definition
using operating system to restart a computer
Term
platform
Definition
another term for operating system
Term
cross-platform
Definition
runs the same on multiple operating systems
Term
kernel
Definition
the core of an operating system that manages memory/devices, maintains clock, starts programs / assigns resources
Term
memory resident
Definition
remains in memory while computer is running
Term
nonresident
Definition
remains on a storage medium until needed
Term
what does BIOS stand for
Definition
basic input/output system
Term
basic input/output system
Definition
firmware that contains startup instructions
Term
power-on self test (POST)
Definition
the series of tests that BIOS executes to make sure hardware is connected properly/operating correctly
Term
registry
Definition
several files that contain the system configuration info
Term
boot drive
Definition
drive from which your personal computer boots or starts
Term
boot disk or recovery disk
Definition
contains a few system files to start the computer allowing you to preview the OS w/out installing it or boot from a computer w/ a damaged hard disk
Term
sleep mode
Definition
saves open documents/programs to RAM, turns off unneeded functions and places computer in low-power state
Term
hibernate
Definition
saves open documents/programs to a hard disk and removes power from computer
Term
user interface
Definition
controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen w/ a graphical user interface (GUI) you interact w/menus/visual images
Term
command-line interface
Definition
user uses the keyboard to enter data and instructions
Term
command language
Definition
the set of commands used w/ a command-line interface
Term
single user/single tasking
Definition
OS that allows only one user to run one program at a time
Term
single user/multitaksing
Definition
OS that allows single user to work on 2+ programs at the same time
Term
foreground
Definition
active program
Term
background
Definition
program(s) running but not in use
Term
preemptive multitasking
Definition
OS interrupts program executing/passes control to another program waiting to be executed and is used to prevent one program/process from monopolizing resources
Term
multiuser
Definition
OS that enables 2+ users to run programs simultaneously
Term
multiprocessing
Definition
OS that supports 2+ processors running programs at the same time
Term
fault-tolerant computer
Definition
continues to operate when one of its components fails ensuring no loss of data by using duplicate components
Term
memory management
Definition
optimizes the use of RAM
Term
virtual memory
Definition
a portion of a storage medium functioning as additional RAM
Term
swap file
Definition
the area of hard disk used for virtual memory that exchanges data/info between memory/storage
Term
page
Definition
the amount of data/program instructions that can swap at a given time
Term
paging
Definition
the technique of swapping items between memory/storage
Term
thrashing
Definition
when OS spends too much time paging instead of executing app software
Term
driver
Definition
a small program that tells the OS how to communicate w/a device
Term
buffer
Definition
a segment of memory or storage where items are placed in waiting to transfer from input to output device
Term
spooling
Definition
used w/printed documents where document to be printed is sent to a buffer instead of immediately to printer
Term
queue
Definition
a line up of documents in the buffer
Term
print spooler
Definition
a program that intercepts documents to be printed from OS/places them in the queue
Term
performance monitor
Definition
program that assesses/reports info about computer resources/devices
Term
automatic update
Definition
automatically provides updates to the program
Term
server operating system
Definition
OS that organizes/coordinates how multiple users access/share network resources like hardware, software, data/info
Term
encryption
Definition
the process of encoding data/info into an unreadable form
Term
device dependent
Definition
program that only runs on a specific type/make of computer
Term
proprietary software
Definition
privately owned/limited to specific vendor or computer model
Term
device-independent
Definition
OS that run on a variety of computers from different manufacturers
Term
stand-alone operating system
Definition
a complete operating system that works on a desktop computer, notebook computer, or mobile computing device
Term
client operating system
Definition
a type of stand-alone OS that works in conjunction w/a server OS
Term
utility program
Definition
a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks
Term
file manager
Definition
a utility that performs functions related to file management
Term
search utility
Definition
a program that attempts to locate a file on your computer based on criteria you specify
Term
image viewer
Definition
allows users to display, copy, and print the contents of a graphics file
Term
uninstaller
Definition
removes a program, as well as any associated entries in the system files
Term
disk cleanup utility
Definition
searches for and removes unnecessary files
Term
disk defragmenter
Definition
reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster
Term
backup utility
Definition
allows users to copy files to another storage medium
Term
restore utility
Definition
reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original form
Term
screen saver
Definition
the utility that causes a display device’s screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no activity occurs for a specified time
Term
personal firewall
Definition
a utility that detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions
Term
virus
Definition
a potentially damaging program that affects a computer negatively
Term
worm
Definition
copies itself repeatedly in memory or over a network
Term
trojan horse
Definition
hides w/in or looks like a legitimate program
Term
spyware
Definition
a program secretly placed on a computer to collect info about the user
Term
adware
Definition
displays ads in a banner or pop-up window
Term
filters
Definition
programs that remove or block certain items from being displayed
Term
file compression utility
Definition
shrinks files to free up room on storage media and there are two types lossy and lossless
Term
lossy
Definition
file compression where quality decreases each time and cannot be restored to exact original state
Term
lossless
Definition
file compression where the file can be returned to its exact orginal state
Term
zipped file
Definition
a compressed file
Term
uncompress or unzip
Definition
restore to original form
Term
personal computer maintenance utility
Definition
identifies and fixes operating system problems, detects and repairs disk problems, and includes the capability of improving a computer’s performance
Supporting users have an ad free experience!