System Software

System Files

The main files of the OS.

System Restore

a Windows utility that allows a user to roll their system settings back to a specific date when everything was working properly. A system restore point is a snapshot of the user's entire system settings, is generated prior to certain events, such as installing or updating software, or automatically once a week if no other restore points were created in that time. These can also be created manually.

Error-Checking

a Windows utility that checks for lost files and fragments as well as physical errors on a user's hard drive.

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)

a program that manages the exchange of data between the OS and all the input and output devices attached to the system.

File History

allows Windows to automatically create a duplicate of your libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites and copy it to another storage device, such as an external hard drive. This protects your data in the event your hard drive fails or files are accidently erased.

User Interface

allows users to interact with their OS. Examples are the desktop, icons, and menus.

Event

an action, such as a keystroke, to which an OS responds to.

Interrupt

an interrupt is a unique signal that tells the OS that it is in need of immediate action. Every device has its own type of interrupt, which is associated with an interrupt handler, a special numerical code that prioritizes the requests. These requests are placed in the interrupt table in the computer's primary memory. The OS processes the task assigned a higher priority before processing a task assigned to a lower priority. This is called preemptive multitasking.

Utility Programs

are small programs that perform many of the general housekeeping tasks for a computer, such as system maintenance and file compression.

Distributions

are various packages of Linux available for download. They include the underlying Linux kernel and special modifications to the OS, and may include additional open source software.

Registry

contains all the different configurations (settings) used by the OS and by other applications.

Operating System (OS):

is a group of programs that controls how a computer functions. It manages the computer hardware (such as processor, memory, and storage devices), provides a consistent means for application software to work with the central processing unit (CPU), and is responsible for the management, scheduling, and coordination of tasks. Examples of operating systems include Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, iOS 7, Android 4.4, and Linux.

Spooler

is a program that helps coordinate all print jobs currently being sent to a printer

Plug and Play (PnP)

is a software and hardware standard designed to facilitate the installation of new hardware in personal computers by including in the OS the drivers these devices need in order to run

Linux

is an open source OS designed for use on personal computers and as a network OS. Linux has a reputation as a stable OS that is not subject to crashes or failures because the code is open and available to anyone, so it can be modified or updated quickly by hundreds of programmers around the world.

Microsoft Windows

is an operating environment that incorporates a user friendly, visual interface like the one that was first introduced by Apple's OS.

Menu-Driven Interface

is one in which a user choose commands from menus displayed on the screen.

Command-Driven Interface

is one in which you enter the commands to communicate with the computer system. This refers to DOS.

Task Manager

is used if a program has stop working. It allows a user to check on the program or to exit the nonresponsive program.

Platform

is what computer's combination of an OS and a specific processor is referred to as.

Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)

machinery that performs a repetitive series of specific tasks in an exact amount of time. These require minimal user interaction. This type of OS is a program with a specific purpose, and it must guarantee certain response for particular computing tasks; otherwise, the machine is useless. This is used for devices that must perform regimented tasks or record precise results - such as measurement instruments found in the scientific, defense, and aerospace industries.

File Compression Utility

makes a large file more compact, making easier and faster to send in large attachments by e-mail, to upload on the web, or to save to a disc. Examples of which include WinZip and WinRar.

Multiuser Operating System

or Network Operating System: lets more than one user access the computer system at a time by handling and prioritizing request from multiple users. An example of which would be UNIX

Application Programming Interface (API)

rather than having the same blocks of code for similar procedures in each program, the OS includes blocks of code, API -that application software needs in order to interact with the CPU.

Utility Programs

small applications that perform special functions on the computer.

Device Driver

special programs for devices that facilitates communication between the device and the OS. The device driver translates the device's specialized commands into commands the OS can understand, and vice versa.

Kernel

the essential component of the OS that is responsible for managing the processor and all other components of the OS.

Mac OS

the first commercially available OS to incorporate a GUI (graphical user interface) with user-friendly point and click technology.

Power-On Self-Test (POST)

the first job BIOS performs which is to ensure that essential peripheral devices are attached and operational.

Virtual Memory

the process of optimizing RAM storage by borrowing hard drive space.

Authentication

verification of a user's login name and password. This process blocks unauthorized users from entering the system.