OCR CS flash cards

Operating System (OS)

System software that manages computer hardware and software resources.

User Interface

A method of the user interacting with the computer.

GUI

Graphical User Interface: Uses windows, icons, menus, and pointers.

CLI

Command Line Interface: User types text commands to interact with the computer.

Memory Management

Manages programs and data in RAM.

RAM

Random Access Memory: Volatile memory where the OS stores running programs and data.

Multitasking

Running 2 or more programs seemingly at once by quickly switching between tasks.

Peripheral Management

The process of the OS controlling connected hardware devices.

Device Drivers

Software that allows the OS to communicate with a specific peripheral.

User Management

Managing user accounts, security, and access rights.

File Management

Organizing, naming, saving, moving, and deleting files and folders in storage.

Utility Software

System software designed to help maintain or manage computer resources.

Encryption

The process of converting data into cipher text to prevent unauthorized access.

Defragmentation

Reorganizing data on a hard disk to make file retrieval faster.

Data Compression

Reducing the file size of data to save storage space or speed up transmission.

Backup Utility

Software that creates copies of data to restore if the original is lost.

Antivirus Software

Utility software used to prevent, detect, and remove malicious software.

Open Source Software

Software whose source code is freely available to view and modify.

Proprietary Software

Software that is owned by an individual or company and is usually paid for.

System Software

Software that manages and controls the computer hardware.

Application Software

Software designed to perform specific tasks for the user (e.g., word processing).

Virtual Memory

Using a portion of the hard disk as if it were RAM when RAM is full.

BIOS

Basic Input/Output System: Software that starts up the computer when it's switched on.

Interrupt

A signal sent to the CPU that temporarily stops a running program for an urgent task.

CPU Scheduling

The OS task of deciding which process gets to use the CPU next.