System Software / Operating Systems

Byte

A group of eight bits.

Open Source

A program in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design free of charge

File Management

A program on a computer that allows the user to create, edit, view, print, rename, copy, or delete files, folders, or an entire file system

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A visual display on a computer's screen that allows you to interact with your computer more easily by clicking graphical elements.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

An interface that accepts text commands at a prompt, usually for immediate execution with immediate display of output.

Multi-user OS

Any operating system designed to allow multiple users to log in and connect to it from different locations / machines at the same time. Specially designed for the sharing of resources such as files, programs or hardware (printers, scanners etc).

Utility Programs

Assist in managing and optimizing a computer's performance.

Processor Management

Breaks down the work into manageable chunks and prioritizes them

Proprietary software

It comes from a company for a licensing fee and may include customer support.

Real-Time Operating System

Large machinery operating system that reacts to current events and actions occurring around it with very little user interaction.

Peripheral Management

One of the main functions of the operating system - managing the input to the CPU and the output from the CPU.

Memory Management

Operating system activity that optimizes the use of random access memory (RAM).

Multitasking

Running more than one computer program or application at a time.

User Interface (UI)

The visual elements of an program through which a user controls or communications the application. Often abbreviated UI.

Single-user Multi-tasking Operating System

This is the type of operating system most people use on their desktop and laptop computers today. Microsoft's Windows and Apple's MacOS platforms are both examples of operating systems that will let a single user have several programs in operation at the same time.

Device Drivers

Utility software used by the operating system to communicate with peripheral devices.

Examples of application software

Word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database

Hexadecimal Number System

a base-16 system, consisting of the 16 symbols 0 through 9 and A through F.

Octal Number System

a base-8 system, consisting of the symbols 0 through 7.

Clock Rate

a common measurement of CPU speed; tells how fast the CPU can process data; the higher the number, the faster the CPU

Single-user Single-task Operating System

allows users to do only one thing at any given time

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)

built-in program which initializes computer hardware and launches the operating system when the computer starts

Application Software

computer software created to allow the user to perform a specific job or task

binary digit (bit)

smallest unit of computer storage capacity

Time Slice

the period of time for which a process is allowed to run in a preemptive multitasking system

System Software

the software responsible for the general operation of a computer system, including the operation of hardware, running application software, and file management

Operating System (OS)

the software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling peripherals.

Gigahertz (GHz)

unit of measurement of CPU clock rate of one billion cycles per second

Megahertz (MHz)

unit of measurement of CPU clock rate of one million cycles per second