System Software and Operating Systems

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering the key terms and concepts related to system software and operating systems.

System Software

Software designed to provide a platform for other software; includes operating systems, utilities, and drivers.

Operating System (OS)

Software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for application software.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A visual way of interacting with a computer via windows, icons, and menus, as opposed to text-based commands.

Microsoft Windows

A series of operating systems created by Microsoft, starting in 1985 with Windows 1.0, featuring graphical user interfaces.

UNIX

A multitasking, multi-user operating system developed in 1969; known for its powerful command-line interface.

Linux

An open-source, UNIX-like operating system first developed in 1991, known for its flexibility and wide usage on servers and supercomputers.

macOS

Apple's operating system for Mac computers, based on a proprietary layer above an open-source UNIX foundation.

Kernel

The core component of an operating system that manages system resources and communication between hardware and software.

Multi-user

An operating system feature that allows multiple users to access and use the system resources simultaneously.

Multitasking

The capability of an operating system to manage multiple tasks (processes) at the same time.

Utility Software

Software designed to help manage and tune computer hardware, operating system, or application software by performing specific tasks.

Backup

The process of making a copy of data to preserve it in case of loss, corruption, or disaster.

Restore Point

A saved state of the operating system that allows users to revert to a previous system configuration.

Drivers

Programs that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices.

Virtualization

A process that allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine by simulating hardware.

Multi-Boot

The installation of multiple operating systems on a single computer, allowing the user to select which OS to boot.

File Manager

A software program that provides a user interface to manage files and folders in the file system.

Defragmentation

The process of reorganizing fragmented data on a storage device to improve read/write performance.

User Interface (UI)

The means by which a user interacts with a computer or software, which can be graphical or text-based.

Check Disk (CHKDSK)

A command used to check the integrity of a file system on a disk and repair logical file system errors.

Anti-Malware

Software designed to detect and remove various types of malicious software including viruses, trojans, and spyware.

Embedded Systems

Computer systems designed to perform dedicated functions within larger systems, often with real-time constraints.

Cloud Computing

The delivery of computing services over the internet, including storage, processing power, and software.

iCloud

Apple's cloud computing service that allows data storage and syncing across multiple devices.