Operating System Functions, Interfaces, and Software Installation

Vocabulary flashcards covering Operating System management functions, interfaces, OS types, real-time systems, and software installation requirements.

File Management

The operating system function that manages all file-related activities such as organization, storage, retrieval, naming, sharing, and protection of files.

Process

A job or activity to be performed by the system, referring to program code that has been loaded into a computer's memory for execution by the central processing unit (CPU).

Process Management

The function of an operating system that manages the creation, deletion, suspension, and resumption of processes.

Process Scheduling

The operating system function that decides the order in which processes have access to the processor and how much processing time each process should get.

User Management

The ability of administrators in modern operating systems to control user access to various computer resources like software, I/O devices, storage systems, and networks.

Interface

A program that allows a user to interact with the computer or another computer over a network.

User Interface (UI)

The part of an operating system, program, or device that allows a user to enter and receive information.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

A screen or text-based representation in which the user types commands at a prompt containing strings of characters to operate the computer.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A user-friendly environment where users interact with computers through graphical objects such as menus, icons, and buttons without memorizing commands.

Single User Operating System

An operating system in which a single user can access the computer system at a time, such as DOS for PCs and Windows 98 for PCs.

Multi-User Operating System

An operating system that allows multiple users to access the computer at the same time while managing memory and resources among them, such as Linux and UNIX.

Batch Processing Operating System

An operating system type where programs with similar needs are batched together by an operator and executed as a group with minimum human interaction.

Time Sharing Operating System

A multitasking system where the CPU switches rapidly between multiple tasks or users, providing each task with a short time slot for execution.

Quantum

The specific time interval given to each task to execute in a time-sharing operating system before the OS switches over to the next task.

Real Time Processing Operating System (RT OS)

A time-bound operating system with a fixed time limit where processing must be completed within the defined limit to prevent system failure.

Hard Real Time System

A real-time system that guarantees critical tasks complete on time, where even the shortest delay is unacceptable, such as Missile systems and Air Traffic Control Systems.

Soft Real Time System

A real-time system with less strict time constraints where meeting deadlines is not compulsory every time, such as Online Transaction Systems and Airline Ticket Reservation.

Software Installation

The process of placing programs, applications, drivers, or software onto a computer to make them ready for execution.

Windows 10 Minimum Hardware Requirements

System requirements specifying at least a $1\,\text{GHz}$ CPU, $1\,\text{GB}$ RAM for 32-bit or $2\,\text{GB}$ RAM for 64-bit, $32\,\text{GB}$ hard disk space, DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver, and $800 \times 600$ monitor display capability.

Office Automation Software

A group of computer programs, such as MS Office, that help users perform daily tasks in school labs, offices, and other places.

MS-Office 2013 Minimum Requirements

Hardware and software specifications requiring a $1.6\,\text{GHz}$ processor, $1\,\text{GB}$ RAM, $3\,\text{GB}$ hard disk free space, minimum Windows 7 operating system, and a graphics driver.

Virus Database

The primary component of an antivirus software that updates periodically to prevent new virus threats.