System Software Vocabulary

File History

A Windows utility that automatically creates a duplicate of your libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites and copies it to another storage device, such as an external hard drive.

Task Manager

A Windows utility that shows programs currently running and permits you to exit nonresponsive programs when you click End Task.

Hierarchical Directory

A file directory structure in which a directory may itself contain entries for other directories

file compression

A process that reduces a file's size for storage or transmission purposes.

spooler

A program that helps coordinate all print jobs being sent to the printer at the same time.

Naming Convention

A set of rules used in the naming of files and folders.

Device Driver

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

interrupt handler

A special numerical code that prioritizes requests from various devices. These requests then are placed in the interrupt table in the computer's primary memory.

menu-driven interface

A user interface in which the user chooses a command from menus displayed on the screen.

System Restore

A utility in Windows that restores system settings to a specific previous date when everything was working properly.

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.

Utility programs

Assist in managing and optimizing a computer's performance.

Command-Driven Interface

Interface between user and computer in which the user enters commands to communicate with the computer system.

Bootstrap Loader

The part of the memory which gives the instructions to start up the Operating System. (Held in the ROM)

system software

The set of programs that enables a computer's hardware devices and application software to work together; it includes the operating system and utility programs.

Plug and Play (PnP)

The technology that enables the operating system, once it is booted up, to recognize automatically any new peripherals and to configure them to work with the system.

Preemptive Multitasking

When the operating system processes the task assigned a higher priority before processing a task that has been assigned a lower priority.

Disk Cleanup

a Windows utility that removes unnecessary files from the hard drive

Disk Defragmenter

a tool that 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

Application Software

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