Studied by 0 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
System Software
The software that runs a computer, including the operating system.
operating system (OS)
A program that manages the complete operation of your computer or mobile device and lets you interact with it.
platform
The software, or operating system, a device uses.
graphical user interface (GUI)
A collective term for all the ways you interact with the device; a GUI controls how you interact with menus, programs and apps, and visual images such as icons by touching, pointing, tapping, or clicking buttons and other objects to issue commands
software as a service (SaaS)
Software that is distributed online for a monthly subscription or an annual fee.
personal computer (PC) operating system
Computers designed for personal use, as opposed to commercial or industrial use.
desktop operating system
An operating system installed on a single computer
windows
The operating systems for Microsoft machines; supports the Cortana virtual assistant, touchscreen input, HoloLens headsets, and built-in apps such as the Microsoft Edge browser
macOS
The operating system for Apple desktop and laptop computers; includes the Siri virtual assistant, coordination with Apple mobile devices, and cloud file storage
UNIX
Multitasking operating system with many versions, as the code is licensed to different developers
Linux
UNIX-based operating system for desktop computers, laptops, and some tablets; distributed under the terms of a General Public License (GPL), which allows you to copy the OS for your own use, to give to others, or to sell
Chrome OS
Operating system based on Linux that uses the Google Chrome browser as its user interface, and primarily runs web apps
web apps
An app stored on an Internet server that can be run entirely in a web browser
Closed source
Programs that keep all or some of the code hidden, enabling them to control and profit from the program they create
open source
Programs and apps (including operating systems) that have no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification and redistribution; users can add functionality and sell or give away their versions to others
server operating system
Multiuser operating system because it controls a single, centralized server computer that supports many users on networked computers
virtualization
The practice of sharing computing resources, such as servers or storage devices, among computers and devices on a network
windows server
Microsoft server operating system that includes advanced security tools and a set of programs called Internet Information Services that manage web apps and services
macOS server
Server operating system that supports all sizes of networks and servers; lets authorized users access servers using their iPhones or other Apple devices
web servers
An Internet computer that stores webpages.
mobile operating system
Has features similar to those of a desktop operating system, but is focused on the needs of a mobile user and the capabilities of the device
android
Operating system developed by Google based on Linux, and designed to be run on many types of smartphones and tablets
iOS
Mobile device operating system that runs only on Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod; derived from macOS
desktop
An operating system screen that contains icons for programs and files, as well as toolbars, taskbars, menus, and buttons you can use to start programs and apps
window
A rectangular-shaped work area that displays an app or a collection of files, folders, and Windows tools.
menu
A list of related items, including folders, applications, and commands.
dialog boxes
A window with controls that lets you tell Windows how you want to complete an application program’s command.
file
A collection of information stored on your computer, such as a text document, spreadsheet, photo, and song.
data file
In Computer Concepts, a file that contains words, numbers, and pictures that you can manipulate. A spreadsheet, a database, a presentation, and a word processing document all are data files.
executable file
Contains the instructions your computer or device needs to run programs and apps
file format
The organization and layout of data in a file
file extension
A three- or four-letter sequence, preceded by a period, at the end of a filename that identifies the file as a particular type of document, such as .docx or .xlsx.
folder
A named location on a storage medium that usually contains related documents.
library
In Windows, a special folder that catalogs specific files and folders in a central location, regardless of where the items are actually stored on your device.
memory
Consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and the results of processing the data into information
volatile memory
Memory that is temporary, and loses its contents when the power is turned off
nonvolatile memory
Permanent memory whose contents remain on the computer or device even when it is turned off
RAM (random access memory)
The storage location that is part of every computer and that temporarily stores open apps and document data while a computer is on.
cache
A holding area where your browser keeps a copy of each webpage you view. This temporary storage area helps speed up processing time.
virtual memory
The amount of information temporarily stored in a paging file.
ROM (read-only memory
Permanently installed memory on your computer attached to the motherboard. The ROM chip contains the BIOS, which tells your computer how to start.
flash memory
A type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten
boot process
Triggers a series of steps and checks as the computer loads the operating system
bootstrap program
A built-in startup program that executes a series of tests to check components, including the RAM, keyboard, and storage, and identifies connected devices, and checks their settings
kernel
The core of an operating system; memory, runs programs, and assigns resources
input
Any data and instructions entered into the memory of a device.
output
Information processed into a useful form such as text, graphics, audio, video, or any combination of these
buffer
An area of memory that stores data and information waiting to be sent to an input or output device
spooling
Placing data into a buffer
default settings
Standard settings that control how the screen is set up and how a document looks when you first start typing
shortcuts
Link to a file, folder, or app that appears on the desktop
keyboard
Input device that contains not only characters such as letters, numbers, and punctuation, but also keys that can issue commands
maximize button
On the right side of a window’s title bar, the center button of three buttons; used to expand a window so that it fills the entire screen
minimize button
On the right side of a window’s title bar, the leftmost button of three buttons; use to reduce a window so that it only appears as an icon on the taskbar
close button
In a Windows title bar, the rightmost button; closes the open window, app, or document
restore down button
On the right side of a maximized window’s title bar, the center of three buttons that reduces a window to its last non-maximized size; in a restored window, this button changes to the Maximize button
active window
The window you are currently using, in front of any other open windows
program window
On a desktop or laptop computer, displays a running program
folder window
A File Explorer window that displays the contents of a folder, drive, or device
resources
On a computer system, the components required to perform work, such as the processor, RAM, storage space, and connected devices
tile
In PowerPoint, a button on a Power View navigation strip that is used to group data
icon
A small picture that represents a program, file, or hardware device
button
Icons you click to execute commands you need to work with an office app
disk cleanup utility
Program that finds and removes unnecessary files, such as temporary Internet files or files in the Recycle Bin, and frees up disk space by reorganizing data
control panel
A collection of utility programs that determines how Windows appears and performs on your computer
settings app
A Windows 10 app containing nine touch-friendly categories of the most commonly used Windows settings; more advanced settings are found in the Control Panel desktop app
shortcut menu
A list of frequently used commands that relate to an object, typically displayed by right-clicking; the commands on a shortcut menu are related to the item you right-clicked.
virtual machine
Enables a computer or device to run another operating system in addition to the one installed
user accounts
Identifies to Windows the resources, such as apps and storage locations, a user can access when working with the computer
administrator account
Provides full access to the computer; additional responsibilities associated with an administrator account include installing programs and apps, adjusting security settings, and managing network access
kilobytes
Thousands of bytes of data
megabytes
Millions of bytes of data
gigabytes
Approximately 1 billion bytes of data
cloud
A storage area located on a server that you access through the Internet or a network
clipboard
A temporary Windows storage area that holds the selections you copy or cut so you can use them later
dialog boxes
A window with controls that lets you tell Windows how you want to complete an application program’s command.
.
.
utility
Apps or programs that enable you to perform maintenance-type tasks related to managing the computer or device
web app
An app stored on an Internet server that can be run entirely in a web browser
web server
An Internet computer that stores webpages
pointing device
A hardware device that lets you interact with your computer by controlling the movement of the mouse pointer on your computer screen; examples include a mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick, onscreen touch pointer, a tablet, or for touch-enabled devices, your hand or finger.
