Chapter 5: System Software

Application Software

"High level" software that performs a useful task for the user

system software

"Low level" software that makes the computer run

Network Operating Systems (NOS)

A multi-user operating system that controls the software and hardware running on a network. Allows multiple client computers to communicate with the network server to share resources, run applications, etc.

device driver

A software program that provides the instructions your computer needs to communicate with a device, such as a scanner.

swap file

A special file on the disk drive

Embedded Operating Systems

A specialized OS that runs in various electronic devices

peer-to-peer network

A type of network that connects two client computers directly together.

Utility Software

A type of system software used to perform computer maintenance

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A user interface which displays images and pictures that allows a computer user to interact with a computer easily.

PnP (Plug and Play)

Ability for the OS to recognize when a new device has been plugged in... it determines the device driver needed and automatically installs it if possible.

API (Application Programming Interface)

Allows application programs to have the operating system perform low-level tasks such as saving a file to a storage device. Makes writing software easier since programmers do not need to know hardware details.

Virtual Memory

Allows users to open up more applications and data files than can physically fit in the computer's memory (RAM).

Security utilities

Antivirus software, pop-up ad blockers, personal firewalls, and spam filters. These utilities help you control nuisance ads, intrusion attempts, and spam.

system software

Consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.

User Interface (UI)

Determines how the user interacts with the computer.

Managing System Resources

Ensures only one process at a time can access a hardware device.

Operating Software

Low-level software that controls the computer hardware

Mobile Operating Systems

Operating systems that run on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. More full-featured than embedded OS's but not as full-featured as desktop's OS

thrashing

Paging slows down the system... if it happens too frequently, computers can become totally unresponsive

Disk Formatting Utility

Prepares a hard disk to store files by setting up the file system. Creates file system.

managing memory

The OS manages the memory for all programs and data files. All programs executed and data files opened are loaded into separate areas in memory.

Task Manager (MS-Windows) / Activity Monitor (Mac OSX)

Used to view processes (programs) running on the computer. Can force processes to quit. Can also view how much memory each process is using

Paging

When there is not enough room in memory, some content is copied to the swap file to free up space

Firewall

a device or software that blocks unauthorized access to a network or an individual computer

Peripheral Devices

all the other external, physical components of the computer such as the input and output devices

single tasking operating system

allows only one program or app to run at a time

Reboot

an act or instance of booting a computer system again. most common "solution" when something goes wrong

Which operating system is a mobile Linux operating system?

android

Which is a popular NOS found on web servers?

apache

Check Disk

checks for problems with the physical disk itself and for problems with the file system

Which Windows feature allows you to change, configure, monitor, or troubleshoot most system settings, hardware, and software?

control panel

File system

controls how data is stored and retrieved

Optimize Drive

defragments a hard drive to improve efficiency

What software enables an OS to communicate with hardware?

device driver

An NOS centralizes resources and security and provides services such as file and print services to servers.

false

Location services use only GPS to determine your device location.

false

Malware is a computer program that's designed to prevent viruses.

false

You can use a computer without an operating system installed.

false

You should use a guest account for everyday computing.

false

______ keeps track of files that are saved and where they're stored on the disk.

file system

troubleshooting

finding a problem and removing or fixing the problem

Disk Cleanup

looks for files that can be safely deleted to free up disk space

Which is a function of an operating system?

manage hardware

multiple program operating system

multiple programs can be executed at the same time.

Which Windows utility should you use to reorganize the files on your disk to improve efficiency?

optimize drives

________ enables you to easily add new hardware to a computer system.

plug and play

Antivirus program

protects against computer viruses (and worms and Trojan horses)

Antispyware program

protects against spyware and adware

Which Windows utility should you use to view processes running on your system?

task manager

queue

to form or to wait in line

A mobile operating system that runs on Apple mobile devices is iOS.

true

Disk-checking utilities monitor the health of the file system on a disk.

true

The OS communicates with software applications via an application programming interface (API).

true

The file system used on hard disks in Windows is the NTFS file system.

true

The user interacts with the operating system through the use of a GUI.

true

Which operating system is a multiuser OS developed in the 1970s, primarily used on servers and some specialized workstations?

unix