System Software

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the System Software lecture notes.

System Software

Programs that manage hardware resources and provide a platform for application software; includes operating systems, utilities, device drivers, and language translators.

Application Software

Software programs that perform tasks for users and run on the platform provided by an operating system.

Operating System

System software that manages hardware resources, provides services to programs, and offers a user interface.

BIOS/UEFI

Firmware that initializes and tests hardware during boot and provides runtime services; used to load the bootstrap loader.

Firmware

Low-level software embedded in hardware components to control their operations.

Device Driver

Software that enables the OS to communicate with hardware devices.

Kernel-mode Device Driver

A device driver that runs with high privileges and direct hardware access; faults can crash the system.

User-mode Device Driver

A device driver that runs with restricted privileges to reduce system risk.

RAM

Random Access Memory; primary volatile memory used by the system to store active data and programs.

ROM

Read-Only Memory; non-volatile memory storing firmware or boot code.

Virtual Memory

Technique to extend RAM by using disk storage; pages are swapped between RAM and secondary storage.

Boot Process

Sequence by which the OS is loaded from secondary storage into RAM during startup.

POST

Power-On Self Test; firmware checks essential hardware on boot and reports status.

Bootstrap Loader

Program that locates the OS on the boot device, loads it into RAM, and starts the OS.

Memory Management

OS function to allocate and manage memory for processes, including virtual memory.

Process Management

OS function to schedule and manage CPU time for processes.

File Management

OS function to organize, read, write, and maintain files and directories.

CLI

Command Line Interface; text-based interface where users type commands.

GUI

Graphical User Interface; interface using icons, windows, and menus.

Housekeeping

OS services for smooth operation: security, protection, backups, resource accounting.

Embedded Operating System (RTOS)

Real-time OS designed for embedded systems with constrained resources.

Stand-alone/Desktop Operating System

OS used on a single computer for personal tasks (e.g., Windows, macOS, UNIX, Linux).

Network Operating System (NOS)

Multi-user OS designed to manage network resources and services with central management.

Single-user Operating System

OS designed for a single user; examples: Windows, DOS, macOS.

Multi-user Operating System

OS that supports multiple users concurrently or at different times with resource sharing.

Mobile Operating System

OS designed for mobile devices (smartphones, tablets), optimized for touch and power efficiency (e.g., Android, iOS).

Language Translators

Programs that translate programming languages into machine code: compilers, interpreters, and assemblers.

Compiler

Translates an entire high-level program into machine code before execution; produces executable; errors reported after compilation.

Interpreter

Translates high-level language into machine code line by line during execution; errors detected at run time.

Assembler

Translates assembly language into machine code; hardware-specific and highly efficient.

Virtualisation

Technology that allows running multiple virtual machines on a single physical machine; host and guest OS.

Utility Software

Programs that analyze, configure, optimize, and maintain a computer system (e.g., antivirus, backup, disk tools).