Chapter 5 - System Software: Operating Systems and Utility Programs

Android

A Linux-based operating system designed for mobile phones and developed by a group of companies that includes Google.

Backup

A duplicate copy of data or other computer content in case the original version is destroyed.

Windows Embedded

A family of operating systems based on Windows that is designed for non personal computer devices, such as cash registers and consumer electronic devices.

Graphical user interface (GUI)

A graphically based interface that allows a user to communicate instructions to the computer easily.

Virtual memory

A memory-management technique that uses hard drive space as additional RAM.

File compression program

A program t hat reduces the size of files, typically to be stored or transmitted more efficiently.

Device driver

A program that enables an operating system to communicate with a specific hardware device; often deferred to simply as a driver.

Utility program

A tie of software that performs a specific task, usually related to managing or maintaining the computer system.

Server operating system

A type of operating system designed to be installed on a network server.

Personal operating system

A type of operating system designed to be installed on a single personal computer.

Embedded operating system

A type of operating system embedded into devices, such as cars and consumer devices.

Mobile operating system

A type of operating system used with mobile phonies and other mobile devices.

Command line interface

A user interface that requires the user to communicate instructions to the computer via typed commands.

Search tool

A utility program designed to search for files on the user's hard drive.

File management program

A utility program that enables the user to perform file management tasks, such as copying and deleting files.

Embedded Linux

A version of Linux designed for mobile devices.

Buffer

An area in RAM or on the hard drive designated to hold input and output on their way in and out of the system.

Linux

An open source operating system that is available without charge over the Internet and is increasingly being used with mobile devices, personal computers, servers, mainframes, and supercomputers.

UNIX

An operating system developed in the late 1960s for midrange servers and mainframes; many variations of this operating system are in use today.

Symbian OS

An operating system widely used with mobile phones; primarily used outside North America.

Application software

Programs that enable users to perform specific tasks on a computer, such as writing a letter or playing a game.

System software

Programs, such as the operating system, that control the operation of a computer and its devices, as well as enable application software to run on the computer.

Multitasking

The capability of an operating system to run more than one program at one time.

Mac OS X

The current version of Mac OS.

Windows 7

The current version of Windows.

Kernel

The essential portion, or core, of an operating system.

Windows Explorer

The file management program built into the Windows operating systems.

Operating system

The main component of system software that enable the computer to manage its activities and the resources under its control, run application programs, and interface with the user.

Palm webOS

The newest operating system designed for Palm devices.

iPhone OS

The operating system designed for Apple mobile phones and mobile devices.

BlackBerry OS

The operating system designed for BlackBerry devices.

DOS (Disk Operating System)

The operating system designed for and widely used on early IBM and IBM-compatible PCs

Mac OS

The operating system used on Apple computers; the most recent version is Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

Palm OS

The original operating system designed for Palm devices.

Windows

The primary personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation; the most recent version is Windows 7.

Spooling

The process of placing items in a buffer so the appropriate device (such as a printer) can retrieve them when needed.

Mac OS X Server

The version of Mac OS X designed for server use.

Windows Mobile

The version of Windows designed for mobile phones

Windows Server

The version of Windows designed for server use; the current version is Windows Server 2008 R2.